Análisis de los determinantes de la eficacia y eficiencia de los sistemas de evaluación de impacto ambiental

Organizational Context

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), part of the UN Secretariat, is seeking a consultant to analyze the determinants of environmental impact assessment (EIA) system effectiveness and efficiency. This work supports the DDSAH Work Program and the CEPAL BMZ/GIZ cooperation project on Minerals for a Just Transition.

Job Purpose

The primary purpose of this consultancy is to produce a document analyzing the factors influencing the processing times of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and to provide recommendations for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of these processes. This research directly contributes to the DDSAH Work Program and the 'Minerals for a Just Transition' project, aiming to improve environmental policy instruments and support sustainable development within the region. The consultant will develop a comparative methodological framework, collect and analyze data, identify bottlenecks, and propose actionable recommendations for streamlining EIA procedures while maintaining robust environmental and social protection. The ultimate goal is to foster better governance, attract investment, and ensure social legitimacy in development projects.

Responsibilities

The consultant will analyze the role of EIA as a public policy instrument for environmental management, its relationship with sectoral permits, and the concepts of efficacy and efficiency in EIA processes. This includes examining the links between EIA and sustainable development, institutional economics, and regulatory principles. The consultant will describe tensions between investment, environmental protection, and social legitimacy, assessing economic costs of delays and the importance of institutional robustness. A comparative methodological framework will be developed, including operational definitions, comparability criteria, data collection methods, and proposed indicators for processing times, evaluation quality, investment flows, institutional coordination, and legal compliance. The consultant will identify key variables for comparative analysis, focusing on large mining and energy projects, and validate the methodology with stakeholders. Data will be collected and analyzed to measure and compare processing times, institutional coordination, and other relevant factors, complemented by qualitative analysis to identify root causes of delays and inefficiencies. Finally, the consultant will develop case studies of best practices and formulate recommendations to address bottlenecks, improve efficiency and effectiveness, and reduce judicialization, considering country-specific institutional and regulatory differences.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of experience in environmental and/or institutional analysis is required. Experience in environmental issues, environmental impact assessment, analysis of environmental regulations, report writing, and public policy analysis is necessary. Experience in institutional analysis and in topics related to mining is considered an asset.

Skills

Analytical skills, environmental impact assessment, institutional analysis, environmental regulation analysis, public policy analysis, report writing, data collection and systematization, comparative analysis, methodological framework development, understanding of sustainable development, governance, institutional economics, and regulatory principles.

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