A comprehensive overview of environmental assessments in Ukraine identifies gaps, supports coordination between actors and recommends means to support remediation measures going forward, guiding future multi-stakeholder efforts to address environmental damage caused by the war in Ukraine.
home-based
4 months
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.
The Ninth Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference (Nicosia, 5–7 October 2022) saw the adoption of a declaration in which “[Ministers] recognize[d] the need to assess the environmental consequences of the military aggression against Ukraine for both the country and the surrounding region, and affirm our support to Ukraine in its reconstruction, including for providing subsequent assistance for restoration. [They] invite[d] the UNECE secretariat, in cooperation with UNEP, OECD and others, to prioritize assessing the most urgent environmental needs in Ukraine based upon the methodology of the UNECE Environmental Performance Review (EPR) Programme and on the results of ongoing and planned impacts assessments, and to make recommendations to advance a sustainable recovery of the country.”
Following the deliberations at the Ministerial Conference, it was agreed that, before the EPR-like process is launched, a review of ongoing and planned assessments is arranged to see the methodologies applied and their functions. Consequently, an informal inter-agency group was established by UNECE, UNEP and OECD, and joined by others. UNEP is a member of this informal inter-agency coordination group on environmental assessments for Ukraine. The group’s objectives include enhancing coherence between the assessments, with a focus on the substantive results and methodological approaches applied in carrying them out, and advice on how to use them to inform the post-war green reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine.
Numerous actors, at the international and local levels, are undertaking – or have undertaken – different kinds of impact assessment in Ukraine to gather information on and understand the environmental effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, there is currently no comprehensive mapping of these assessments, which could hinder the coordination of efforts, the identification of gaps and priorities as well as informed decision-making by relevant stakeholders.
In response to requests received from Ukraine and the stakeholders of the inter-agency coordination group on environmental assessments for Ukraine, UNEP and its partners will prepare a mapping of assessments, their scopes and methods, to identify gaps and weaknesses that need to be addressed to maximize their usefulness. To support this work, UNEP seeks a consultant to provide an overview of the existing, ongoing and planned assessments on environmental damage in Ukraine and a preliminary identification of critical areas for remediation.
The consultant will collect and analyse information on all assessments undertaken, underway and planned (to the extent information is available) to assess environmental damage caused by the war in Ukraine. The scope will include assessments by international organizations, government agencies of different countries, NGOs, academic institutions, and other stakeholders. The consultant will also identify planned environmental recovery and remediation processes and plans, with the view to identify possible UNEP follow-up support, entailing for instance the definition of generic remediation measures for key types of environmental damage or the development of guidance in this regard. The responsibilities of the consultant are detailed below.
Specific tasks and responsibilities
1. Preliminary mapping of assessments of environmental damage in Ukraine undertaken or underway by international organizations, government agencies of Ukraine and other countries, NGOs, academic institutions, and other stakeholders.
a) Identification of relevant stakeholders involved in conducting assessments of environmental damage caused by the war in Ukraine. This will include international organizations, government agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, and other stakeholders. A specific focus should be on assessments led by Ukrainian counterparts.
b) Based on, but not limited to, the existing inventory of assessment made by the inter-agency coordination group, collection and categorization of data on different types of assessments, such as impact and needs assessments, risk assessments, and monitoring programs.
c) Review and analysis of the methodologies, scope, and findings of the assessments.
d) Presentation of the draft mapping to the group and further development based on feedback received
2. Preliminary identification of gaps and overlaps in the assessments and identify areas where further assessments may be required.
a) Based on further analysis of the methodologies, scope, and key findings of the assessments, identification of gaps in the assessments and areas where further or deeper assessments may be required to complement data.
b) Conducting interviews with key stakeholders, including government agencies, to identify and prioritize gaps to be addressed by future assessment work.
c) Identify possible tools, methodologies and actors that can support the areas where further assessments may be required.
d) Present findings to UNEP and its partners.
3. Identification of planned environmental recovery and remediation processes and plans, with the view to identify possible follow-up support by UNEP and its partners
a) Review the existing recovery plans and opportunities at the policy and strategic level
b) Identify critical areas for remediation: establish criteria for prioritization based on the severity of the damage, the level of risk to human health, and the potential for ecological harm; based on the assessments, prioritize the geographic or thematic areas that require urgent remediation.
c) Identify planned environmental recovery and remediation processes and plans, with the view to identify possible follow-up support by UNEP and its partners, entailing for instance the definition of generic remediation measures for key types of environmental damage or the development of guidance in this regard.
d) Present findings to UNEP and its national and international partners.
4. Report including the results of the mapping exercise, identification of gaps and overlaps as well as preliminary indication of possible remediation measures.
a) Provide recommendations for improving the coordination and effectiveness of environmental damage assessments in Ukraine.
b) Produce a comprehensive report that outlines the assessments, gaps and the possible way forward.
c) Prepare a summary report that highlights the key findings and recommendations.
d) Collect and consolidate feedback from the UNEP project team, the inter-agency group and present the results of the mapping exercise in a comprehensive report and a summary report.
• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental science, natural sciences, international development, international law (with emphasis on environment or disaster management) or international relations (with emphasis on the environment or disaster management), or another demonstrably relevant field.
• Proven experience working on environmental assessments, earth observations and disaster management
• Solid understanding of different types of environmental damage and remediation measures as well as environmental assessment methodologies applying different methodologies and tools, including remote sensing
• Knowledge of different actors involved in conducting environmental assessments with experience of engaging with them
• Experience working with UN is considered an asset
• Experience working on assessments in post-conflict or post-disaster contexts is an asset
• At least 7 years working experience on environment, development or related field
Skills:
• Excellent data verification, research, analysis and report writing skills
• Experience in summarizing and presenting information based on large quantity of data.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as knowledge of MS Office and ability to operate standard IT and communications equipment;
• Teamwork skills to work with a diverse range of actors (various UN agencies, governments, academics etc.)
Proficiency in English.
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.