Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Specialist

Result of Service● Inception report with a detailed work schedule and articulating datasets available and data gaps for the project area. ● An interactive online atlas and a geospatial database of Kwale and Lamu with physical, biological, geomorphological and socioeconomic data, web maps of data layers, a dashboard with statistics from Activities 1 and 2 above. ● List of potential OECMs and protected area gaps developed, with data and governance information to help include them in the national conservation system. ● Draft marine spatial plans for Kwale and Lamu ready for validation by stakeholders. Work LocationHome-Based Expected duration3 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesOrganizational Setting 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 the Coastal and Marine Environment of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). The Contracting Parties to the Convention are Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa and United Republic of Tanzania. UN Environment's Ecosystems 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. Background of the Consultancy UNEP/The Nairobi Convention, under the projects namely the “The Partnership Project between the Nairobi Convention (NC) and the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) for resilient marine and coastal ecosystems and livelihoods (SWIOFC NC PP 2)” requires the services of a national consultant - Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Specialist. The Consultant will use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map Kwale and Lamu Counties, Kenya, identifying various marine uses, overlaps, and potential conflicts. This will include detailed mapping and validation of the maps of marine use through stakeholder engagement. Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Nairobi Convention Secretariat and in close coordination with the project manager of the SWIOFC-NC PP2 partnership project, the consultant will be responsible for the following: 1) Using GIS tools develop a detailed interactive atlas with maps of Kwale and Lamu showing: a) Physical and oceanographic data i) Kwale and Lamu archipelago and the existing management zones, elevation, ocean floor features, continent shelf extent, ocean depth. ii) The currents and water movements, eddies, tides and stratification in the Kwale and Lamu, temperature, sea surface temperature change, sea level and wave data, wind and atmospheric data, ocean currents, salinity and ocean chemistry and change trends, coastal and offshore upwelling, oceanographic modelling (for ocean circulation, water mass formation, and the transport of pollutants and marine organisms). b) The ecological and biological data (Biodiversity) i) Atlas showing areas and extent of high ecological value critical habitats (coral reefs, beaches, dunes, seagrass, mangroves, coastal forests), detailed marine protected areas - Kwale and Lamu, locally managed marine areas, lagoons, bays, large shallow inlets, sandbanks. ii) Atlas showing fish and invertebrate species abundance, distribution, and primary productivity (of endemic, exotic, flagship, indicator, keystone, habitat forming, target or vulnerable species), chlorophyll concentration and chlorophyll movements (near real time), migratory species corridor (e.g. for whales, sharks, and sea turtles) iii) Map showing fish nursery areas, suitability of areas for critical habitats restoration, for aquaculture, fishing area, no-take areas and co-managed marine parks, seaweed farming areas, fish closure areas including seasonal closures areas (for octopus, sea cucumber, mangrove crabs). c) Health status of natural capital i) Hotspots of overfishing and declines in fish stocks. ii) Pollution hotspots from land-based sources wastewater, sedimentation, marine litter and plastics. iii) Hotspots of habitat degradation and physical alteration. iv) Model climate change in terms of temperature rise, ocean acidification, sea level rise. d) Human use i) Human population and distribution, plot and map all residential rural/urban areas. ii) Coastal development (ports/harbours, marinas, harbours, energy installations) and other infrastructure e.g. roads, railway, airport). iii) Socioeconomic activities (fishing (near shore fishing - abundance of fishing boats, fish s, amounts of targeted species, data on the fish size, catch rates types of fishing gear), offshore fishing, foreign vessels fishing areas, aquaculture, tourism (hotel and catering - popular destination for tourism, tourist hotels, and data on volume of visitors), and alternative livelihoods –carbon credits sites, seaweed farming, sea cucumber marketing, shrimps/octopus fishery, oyster cultivation, crabs fishing areas and light industries. iv) Shipping traffic and cargo volume at ports and harbours, if any. v) Data on the size and productivity of oil and gas exploration, mining, sand, and gravel extraction, dredging, dumping sites. vi) Marine cables, pipelines, jetty, cultural and religious sites. 2) Working with selected community leaders and undertake ground truthing to: i) Build solutions for community-based initiatives such as marine ecosystem protection, integrated coastal zone management, and ocean economy sustainability. ii) Enable community participation in marine spatial planning in Kwale and Lamu to inform policy decisions. iii) To detect variability such as differences in terrain, elevation, land cover, and visibility to inform the best sites for property development, wildlife habitats, conservation areas, utility corridors and potential Marine spaces uses. iv) Detect change, resource/space use conflicts using imagery to support inspections, compliance, damage assessment and evaluating the environmental impact of planned projects and connectivity between areas such as MPAs. 3) Adhere to industry and community-established data standards, including data formats, web- services standards, metadata, interoperability of data and services, use of open-source technologies to develop an online atlas of spatial uses to enables users to integrate spatial data and the geodatabase into any web, mobile, or computing application for open access to the public. 4) OECMs and area‑based measures - Identify candidate OECMs (e.g. LMMAs, customary tenure areas) and protected area gaps; provide minimum datasets to support recognition, with governance profiles and rights‑based considerations. 5) Participate in stakeholder meetings facilitated by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and partners (e.g KMFRI) for a participatory approach and validation of Kwale and Lamu maps and atlas. Qualifications/special skillsAn advanced university degree (Masters) in the field of geographic information systems, ecology, environmental studies, marine science, coastal ecosystem management, or any related discipline is required. A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in developing and/or implementing programmes on coastal ecosystem conservation and natural resources management is required. . Experience and knowledge in the application of geographic information systems (e.g. ArcGIS), information management and in preparation and delivery of presentations. Working experience with coastal communities in Tanzania is required. Experience working in a multidisciplinary set up with government, non-government stakeholders including local communities, on natural resource management matters in the Western Indian Ocean region is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the official working languages of the United Nations. For this position fluency in both oral and written English is required. Knowledge of spoken and written coastal dialect of Kiswahili is desirable Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.