Marine Environment Management Planning Specialist

Result of Service1. Inception report submitted and approved, including a detailed work schedule aligned with project timelines and objective. 2. Economic valuation report and CBA of marine ecosystem goods and services in Moma and Machanga districts. 3. Draft marine spatial plans submitted, integrating science, technology, and local priorities into a coherent framework. 4. Finalized collaborative management agreements with communities, private sector, and NGO partners for the implementation of the validated management plan within Moma and Machanga districts, accompanied by documentation of stakeholder validation meetings, including participant lists, key feedback, and summaries of discussions. 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 Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) for resilient marine and coastal ecosystems and livelihoods (SWIOFC NC PP 2)” requires the services of a national consultant Marine Environment Management Planning Specialist. The consultancy will support the development of participatory and evidence-based Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) processes and the preparation of a comprehensive, stakeholder-validated Integrated Environmental Management Plan (IEMP) for coastal communities in Moma and Machanga districts, Mozambique. It will also include conducting economic valuations of key natural resources and ecosystem services to inform evidence-based decision-making, spatial planning, and policy formulation at both county and national levels. 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. Undertake economic valuation of marine ecosystems goods and services economic valuation and potential investment opportunities in Moma and Machanga districts a. Classify and catalog coastal and marine assets, their ecosystem goods and services to provide background and context in Moma and Machanga districts. b. Conduct ecosystem services analysis through comparative risk analysis of the ecosystems (under provisioning services, cultural services, regulating/supporting services) and prioritize the ecosystems for further valuation in terms of food provisioning, raw materials provisioning, carbon sequestration, ecotourism and recreation, regulation of extreme events, and scarce habitats. c. Conduct a baseline ecosystem services valuation quantifying the revenue generated in US dollars for: i. food provisioning from marine fish catch, mariculture, and agriculture ii. the gathering of raw materials, particularly fuelwood and timber iii. cultural services of tourism and recreation iv. carbon sequestration services v. regulating services related to the maintenance of scarce habitats vi. the regulation of extreme events d. Identify gaps potential gaps in the ecosystem valuation exercise and present to stakeholders. 2. Following the ecosystem services valuation, conduct a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the benefits of implementing proposed bioeconomic activities (e.g. new MPA, carbon offset co-managed sites, octopus closure sites, seaweed farming plots, pelagic anchovies etc in Moma and Machanga districts), and the costs of implementation i. Propose green/blue finance instruments for funding management plan and implementation of proposed bio-economic activities ii. Recommend further policy measures and management interventions required to enhance (i) blue economy opportunities, (ii) inputs to national biodiversity conservation strategies and action plans for protecting biodiversity and ecosystem services, and (iii) options for resilience of ecosystem towards national climate action plans outlining how Kenya plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change. 3. Marine Spatial Planning a. Through a participatory process, obtain maps showing existing governance measures i. Multi-sector uses in Moma and Machanga districts e.g. protected areas and shipping traffic interactions. ii. Existing management measures. iii. Future needs of existing or proposed uses. b. In a participatory approach, incorporate aspects of community-based coastal and marine management by engaging all stakeholders and sectors in Moma and Machanga districts. i. Participate in 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. ii. Build the capacity of Fisheries Management Committees and other relevant local personnel in data collation and mapping to be able to actively engage in the MSP process and to support and implement similar work. iii. Undertake value addition of data by assessing possible cumulative impacts of human uses in Moma and Machanga districts. iv. Ensure maps developed for Moma and Machanga districts are shared with stakeholders and sectors for participatory input on the environmental, economic, socio-cultural, and inter-sectorial data layers. v. Facilitate in ground truthing exercises on inputs for balancing potential competing uses and identify any data gaps and plan for data collection and creation. c. Participate in stakeholder meetings facilitated by Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, and Fisheries, through the National Directorate of Environment and Climate Change (MAAP/DINAMC) and contribute to discussions on the broader cross-sectoral management processes and systems for Moma and Machanga districts. i. Participate and contribute to the development of a Management Plan for Moma and Machanga districts in consultation with all stakeholders to enable production of the required management plan. ii. Work with DINAMC including Marine Protected Area (MPA) managers, the National Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture (DINAP) MAAP, Provincial Directorate of Land, Environment and Rural Development (DPDTA), National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), National Institute of the Ocean and Maritime Affairs (InOM), National Maritime Authority (INAMAR), National Directorate of Lands and Terrestrial Development (DNATDT) and active NGOs in the Moma and Machanga coastal zones to operationalize on the designated MPA and the roles the Private Sector–NGO Forum and the Stakeholder Management Committee at district level. a) Identify appropriate interventions including the establishment of the Moma and Machanga districts Stakeholder Management Committee. b) Finalise the collaborative management agreements with communities, private sector, and NGO partners for the implementation of the validated management plan within Moma and Machanga districts. c) Update all community designated fishery closures and types in Moma and Machanga districts area including planned ones, review and incorporate planning process for establishing community fishery closure zones. d) Define roles and responsibilities and operating procedures for the Stakeholder Management Committee in Moma and Machanga districts. e) Working with stakeholders to develop a coastal sector-based implementation plan (Marine Protected Area (MPA) managers, the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries under the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, County Fisheries and Environment Officers) include Management Plan activities in the annual workplans and budgets for the Moma and Machanga districts. f) Develop future plans and proposed areas for MSP to guide continued implementation and alignment with national and regional priorities. g) Facilitate the validation of the GMP through stakeholder consultations, coordination of review meetings, and incorporation of feedback to ensure approval and implementation. Qualifications/special skills● Advanced university degree (Master's degree) is required in the field of ecology, 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 in developing and/or implementing programmes on coastal ecosystems conservation, natural resources management (ecosystem management, community engagement, collaborative marine resource management plans and management measures, implementation of marine resource management activities with Governments etc.) is required ● Demonstrated knowledge and experience for obtaining ecological, social and economic geospatial data, good understanding of adaptation science from a socioecological perspective, and working experience with coastal communities in Mozambique is required ● Experience working with coastal communities and different stakeholders at both strategic and technical levels and demonstrated quality and timely delivery 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. ● Working knowledge in Mozambique and experience of working with Government and intergovernmental programme 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.