1. Report outlining the work plan for delivery of the outputs of the consultancy, including a detailed budget for project activities.
2. Report of a meeting with relevant government institutions and key stakeholders in Mauritius to confirm the specific uses and geographical extent of an updated sensitivity Atlas, discuss how MESA will be applied, acknowledge limitations, and agree priorities
3. Baseline information/data validated through field surveys and updated sensitivity maps for the two sites from Pointe aux Cannoniers to Le Goulet and Montagne Jacquot to Le Morne.
4. Report a consultation meeting with stakeholders to provide nationally specific sensitivity rankings for ecological and socio-economic assets.
5. Sensitivity atlas developed using the MESA toolkit and based on the nationally refined sensitivity rankings.
6. Documentation developed to support the atlas in consultation with stakeholders to define scope and a detailed methodology to aid future updates.
7. Report of a capacity building workshop with stakeholders to provide an overview to relevant staff within the Government of Mauritius on how the atlas was produced, any outstanding data gaps that would be a priority for future data collection, limitations for its use, data management needs and requirements to update the map in the future.
Home-Based
6 months
Introduction
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP administers the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of Coastal and Marine Environment of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), under the Ecosystems Division. The Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
Scope of the Consultancy
The Nairobi Convention, under the project on the “Western Indian Ocean Large Marine Ecosystems Strategic Action Programme Policy Harmonisation and Institutional Reforms (SAPPHIRE) requires a highly motivated consultant to support the Government of Mauritius through the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change in reviewing and update the Oil Spill Sensitivity maps, Tactical and operational maps at 2 sites namely from Pointe aux Cannoniers to Le Goulet and Montagne Jacquot to Le Morne. The consultant will liaise and collaborate with appropriate national and international stakeholders in undertaking activities of this consultancy.
The assignment will be mainly home based but will require some fieldwork and engagement with national and other stakeholders in Mauritius as appropriate. It is expected that the consultant will conduct field visits to validate the available baseline data and information. The consultant will collaborate with the representatives from the UNEP-WCMC in delivering some of the outputs.
Objective of the Consultancy
To undertake various activities to support the Government of Mauritius through the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change in reviewing and update the Oil Spill Sensitivity maps, Tactical and operational maps at 2 sites namely from Pointe aux Cannoniers to Le Goulet and Montagne Jacquot to Le Morne.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Organise a consultation workshop with relevant government institutions and key stakeholders to confirm the specific uses and geographical extent of an updated sensitivity Atlas, discuss how the MESA (Mapping Environmentally Sensitive Assets) guideline will be applied, acknowledge limitations, and agree priorities.
2. Identify data gaps and collect baseline information/data and update the sensitivity maps for the two sites from Pointe aux Cannoniers to Le Goulet and Montagne Jacquot to Le Morne. The baseline information/data will be validated through field surveys.
3. Organise consultation meetings with stakeholders to provide nationally specific sensitivity rankings for ecological and socio-economic assets.
4. Work with partners to carry out initial processing of the sensitivity atlas using the MESA toolkit and based on the nationally refined sensitivity rankings.
5. Develop supporting documentation to the atlas in consultation with stakeholders to define scope and a detailed methodology to aid future updates.
6. Organise a capacity building workshop with stakeholders to provide an overview to relevant staff within the Government of Mauritius on how the atlas was produced, any outstanding data gaps that would be a priority for future data collection, limitations for its use, data management needs and requirements to update the map in the future.
• Academic qualifications: Advanced university degree is required (MSc or PhD) in marine science and/or other related disciplines (e.g., Oceanography, fisheries management, natural resources management, environmental economics, etc.) relevant to the assignment
Minimum of 7 years working experience is required in implementing coastal and marine projects involving Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and comprehensive knowledge of Mauritius coastal and marine ecosystems. Experience working in national programmes, particularly natural resource management programmes and projects in Mauritius is desirable. Working knowledge of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region and experience of working with the Governments of the WIO region would be desirable. Ability to work within very short timelines and with minimum supervision with be added advantage. Demonstrated competency in excellent scientific/technical writing and consistency in critical writing and review of documents is desirable.
English and French are the official working languages of the United Nations. For this position fluency in both oral and written English and French are required. Working knowledge of Creole is desirable
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.