Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Specialist

Result of Service1. Inception report submitted and approved, including a detailed work schedule aligned with project timelines and objective identifying spatial data gaps across the project area. 2. Documentation of stakeholder ground-truthing of marine uses, including participant lists, key feedback, and summaries of discussions. A draft of the marine spatial zones has been submitted, integrating science, technology, and local priorities into a coherent and evidence-based framework. 3. Web maps, story maps, and an interactive dashboard submitted, visualizing spatial data and summarizing key statistics from Activities 1 and 2. Interactive online atlas and accompanying geospatial database submitted, containing physical, biological, geomorphological, and socioeconomic layers. Work LocationHome based Expected duration5 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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 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. UNEP administers the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Coastal and Marine Environment of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). 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 the Moma and Machanga Districts in Mozambique, identifying various marine uses, overlaps, and potential areas of conflict. 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 NC-SWIOFC PP 2, the consultant will be responsible for the following: 1) Using GIS tools develop a detailed interactive atlas with maps of Moma and Machanga districts showing: a) Physical and oceanographic data i) Moma and Machanga districts 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 Moma and Machanga districts, 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 - Moma and Machanga districts, 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, railways, 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 iv) Livelihoods –carbon credits sites, seaweed farming, sea cucumber marketing, shrimps/octopus fishery, oyster cultivation, crabs fishing areas and light industries. v) Shipping traffic and cargo volume at ports and harbours, if any. vi) Data on the size and productivity of oil and gas exploration, mining, sand, and gravel extraction, dredging, dumping sites. vii) 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 Moma and Machanga districts 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 technologies to enables users to integrate spatial data and the geodatabase into any web, mobile, or computing application for open access to the public. 4) Participate in open stakeholder meetings facilitated by the Department of Environment and Department of Marine Conservation and partners for a participatory approach and validation of Moma and Machanga districts maps and atlas. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master's degree) is required in the field of Geographic Information Systems, Ecology, Environmental studies, Marine science, coastal ecosystems management, or any related discipline. A first level degree with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of 5 years of professional experience is required in developing and/or implementing programmes on coastal ecosystems conservation, natural resources management. 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 Mozambique is required. Experience working in a multidisciplinary set up with government, non-government stakeholders including local communities on natural resource management matters in Mozambique is desirable. Ability to travel to, and work at project site in Mozambique is desirable. LanguagesFluency in English (both written and spoken) is required. Knowledge of spoken and written coastal dialects of Portuguese 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.