Terms of Reference for an Environmental Expert Consultant for an Environmental Compliance Audit of Construction works in the framework of the Menstrual Health Education Project in Mehe, Mayo Sava Division, Far North Region of Cameroon

Title    Environmental Expert Consultant
Location     Mehe Mayo Sava Division, Far North Region of Cameroon
Start Date    September to November 2025
Duration    15 Consulting days including site visits -at least two site visits a week for a period of 6 weeks
Budget    50,000frs per day

CONTEXT
About Good Neighbors:
Good Neighbors is an international Korean NGO founded in Seoul in March 1991. It is present in 51 countries around the world and aims to make the world a better, hunger-free place, where people live together in harmony. It focuses on community development to protect children's rights and encourage community autonomy.
Good Neighbors started its operations in Cameroon since 2014. It has a head Office is in Yaoundé and field Offices in Maroua and Mbalmayo. GNCMR's work is focused on community development, implementing projects in the sectors of Health, Gender, Child Protection, livelihood (Income Generation Activities), food security, Education, Water and Sanitation hygiene and Environment. Good Neighbors Cameroon works with different international partners such as the United Nations and INGOs to seek sustainable solutions to development and humanitarian challenges. The organization also targets different international donors for funding opportunities.
Good health is fundamental to human survival, making healthcare an important sector in Good Neighbors’ interventions. In vulnerable communities, women face significant challenges accessing basic health care, particularly for menstrual hygiene and reproductive health needs. This puts their health at risk. Recognizing these challenges, Good Neighbors therefore prioritizes a gender sensitive approach in its healthcare initiatives with a focus on improving the health and wellbeing of women and girls 

I.    PROJECT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Menstrual hygiene management is a crucial aspect of women's health that is often overlooked and stigmatized. Proper management of menstrual hygiene can prevent infections, reduce reproductive health issues, increase confidence and self-esteem and improve access to education. According to the government of Cameroon, 70% of menstruating women and girls lack access to regular basic sanitation products.
This is even worse in vulnerable communities. It was discovered through an assessment conducted by Good Neighbors Cameroon in Mehe village that, 99% of women use old, dirty cloths as absorbents for menstrual blood during their periods. Menstruation is still a taboo and there are so many myths surrounding menstruation in this community. This prompted Good Neighbors Cameroon and Good Neighbors Canada designed a project entitled “Improving menstrual health education among the women and girls of Mehe, in the division of Mayo Sava, in the Far North region of Cameroon”. The aim of this project is to improve the menstrual health and hygiene of women and girls in the village of Méhé enabling them to participate fully and with dignity in educational, cultural and civic activities. The project is funded by Global Affairs Canada.
Specifically, the project aims to;
•    Provide factual information on menstruation and menstrual hygiene practices that promote good health through educational activities.
•    Meet the demand for low-cost, reusable sanitary towels for the women of Mehe through the establishment of a women empowerment center for the fabrication and sales of reusable pads and soap. An indirect impact of this activity will be the economic empowerment of women and girls in Mehe.
•    Installation of reliable gender friendly WASH infrastructure to improve menstrual hygiene practices. 
 The project will have 1500 direct beneficiaries aged between 13 and 40.

II.    OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
Good Neighbors Cameroon is looking for an Experienced Environmental Expert Consultant to conduct a compliance audit for the above-described project which includes construction activities as part of its broader objectives to improve menstrual health and hygiene. These activities include;
•    COMPLETED CONSTRUCTIONS
-    Two Solar powered boreholes
•    ONGOING CONSTRUCTIONS
-    5 blocks of three latrines each to promote safe sanitation practices
•    UPCOMING CONSTRUCTION
-    One women Empowerment center for the fabrication of reusable pads
This audit aims to assess whether construction activities align with Global Affairs Canada’s Environmental policies and standards as seen in this link: https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/funding-financement/environment_handbook-manuel_environnement.aspx?lang=eng, covering both completed, ongoing and upcoming components. Specifically, the Consultant will;
1.    Conduct comprehensive construction site visits and assess the constructed facilities (Boreholes and Toilets) for environmental concerns and review the plans and designs for the women empowerment center
2.    Verify compliance with environmental requirements for all construction Components based on Global Affairs Canada’s environmental policies and standards. These requirements will be outlined through a framework and checklist provided by Good Neighbors Canada.
3.    Review the Environmental Impact Assessments and Management plans
4.    Assess the effectiveness of environmental safeguards for ongoing constructions by the Construction companies and the project team
5.    Evaluate the effectiveness of the grievance mechanisms in addressing environmental and social concerns related to the project
6.    Identify environmental issues or potential risks and recommend corrective actions for non-compliance issues
The Consultant may decide to work with a collaborator or assistants to facilitate her/his work (This collaborator or assistant is NOT the responsibility of Good Neighbors Cameroon).
Good Neighbors Cameroon is responsible for;
1.    Ensuring access to project information, information about the Organization, mobilization of Community members and focal persons for activities in the community

2.    Ensuring follow-up of the Consultation


III.    EXPECTED OUTPUTS
1.    Prepare a detailed report assessing environmental compliance for all project construction components, identifying non-compliance issues or potential risks and providing recommendations for corrective actions and mitigation measures (This should include bi weekly reports on progress).  The Consultant will report directly to Good Neighbors Cameroon (GNCMR) through the Project Manager. Draft reports and findings shall first be submitted to GNCMR for technical review and feedback. The final report, incorporating GNCMR’s comments, will then be submitted to Good Neighbors Canada (GNCA) for final approval. The consultancy will be considered complete only after GNCA’s written approval of the final report.
2.    A clear and concise summary of findings and recommendations for improvement, prioritizing actions to address non-compliance issues and potential risks


IV.    REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

1.    Master’s degree in Environmental Science, natural sciences or any other related field
2.    A minimum of 7 years’ experience in the field as an Environmental Specialist
3.    Ability to adapt to new methods, regulations and criteria for evaluating environmental compliance
4.    Demonstrated experience in conducting similar Assignments especially in the Far North Region of Cameroon
5.    Strong written and communication skills
6.    Proven ability to work in a diverse cultural context
7.    Fluency in French and working knowledge in Fulfulde language is required. Fluency in English is an added advantage

V.    EVALUATION CRITERIA
Criteria    Percentage
Technical expertise    40%
Experience    30%
Written and Communication skills    15%
Cultural sensitivity and adaptability    15%


VI.    REPORTING

1.    The Consultant is expected to produce the final report of the Consultancy no later than two weeks  after the  Consultancy 

VII.    SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

The application deadline is Friday, August 29th, 2025 - 5:00 pm. We look forward to receiving the Consultant’s work proposal and curriculum vitae, as well as references from other similar assignments.
Please send your application by email to the attention of Good Neighbor s Cameroon Administrative Department with the following address:  procurement.gncmr@gmail.com

Indicate in the Email subject line: ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERT CONSULTANT, MENSTRUAL HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT
Applications sent by email must include:
•    Cover letter ;
•    CV
•     Copies of certificates, diplomas and attestations ;
•    Unique Identification Number
•    Certificate of tax compliance less than three months old;
•     Bank Attestation;
•     Proof of similar work
•    An offer memorandum outlining the Consultant’s METHODOLOGY, PROPOSED BUDGET and WORK SCHEDULE