Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a qualified and experienced Service Provider to develop the 4th Edition Eastern Cape Environmental Implementation Plan (EIP) covering the period 2027–2032. The plan aims to ensure continued compliance with Chapter 3 of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), strengthen environmental governance, coordination, and planning across provincial departments and municipalities, and incorporate recent policy and legislative developments. Additionally, the process includes stakeholder consultations, gap analysis of the existing plan, and the gazetting of the final document.

Scope

The scope of work encompasses:

• Conducting an inception meeting and establishing a Project Steering Committee (PSC).
• Performing a comprehensive review and gap analysis of the existing 3rd Edition EIP and relevant legislative, policy, and planning frameworks.
• Engaging with provincial, municipal, and national stakeholders through targeted consultations and workshops.
• Developing the 4th Edition EIP, aligned with legislative requirements, current policies, and identified gaps.
• Facilitating a public participation process, including workshops and public notices, to gather input and objections.
• Preparing and submitting draft and final EIP documents for approval and gazetting.
• Providing regular progress reports and managing project timelines over a 12-month period.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements include:

• Adherence to Chapter 3 of NEMA and relevant environmental legislation and policies.
• Comprehensive review and analysis of existing plans, reports, and legislative frameworks.
• Development of a detailed methodology for stakeholder engagement, gap analysis, and plan formulation.
• Facilitation of stakeholder workshops and intergovernmental coordination meetings.
• Preparation of a Project Implementation and Management Plan within six weeks of appointment.
• Drafting, reviewing, and finalizing the EIP document, ensuring it is gazette-ready.
• Implementation of a transparent public participation process, including workshops and notices.
• Provision of all data, reports, and supporting documentation in electronic formats, with ownership retained by the Department.

Skills Requirements

The successful bidder must demonstrate:

• Strong capacity in environmental planning, policy development, and governance.
• Proven experience in developing Environmental Implementation Plans or similar strategic environmental documents.
• Expertise in stakeholder facilitation, public participation, and intergovernmental engagement.
• Qualified personnel with at least:
• A Project Leader with a Master’s degree or higher in Environmental Sciences, Development Planning, or related fields, with a minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience.
• Team members with qualifications in social sciences, public administration, or environmental management, and relevant experience in environmental planning and stakeholder facilitation.
• Demonstrated capacity to undertake research, policy review, and technical analysis.
• Experience in managing similar projects within South Africa, with contactable references.
• Ability to facilitate stakeholder workshops and intergovernmental coordination meetings effectively.