Oil Spills Consultant

Result of ServiceUpdated National Oil Spill Contingency Plan and National Dispersant Use Policy documents for Dominica and Recommendations/modifications based on their experience and expertise. Work LocationHome-Based Expected duration3.1 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional levels. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of global consensus on environmental issues by keeping the environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat, support Governments of the Wider Caribbean Region in meeting their national obligations under the Convention and its three Protocols on Oil Spills, Marine Biodiversity, and Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution. The Secretariat is a partner executing agency of the European Union (EU) funded African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) Phase III (ACP MEA III) Programme. This programme is building capacity in 79 countries across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific to support them in fulfilling their obligations as parties to Multilateral Environmental Agreements and responding to the environmental issues they face. The purpose of the third phase of the ACP MEAs programme is to enhance the mainstreaming and implementation of MEAs related to biodiversity and chemicals and waste, with a focus on the mainstreaming of biodiversity in agriculture, management of chemicals and waste (including hazardous pesticides), reinforcement of compliance and enforcement measures, and strengthening of the implementation of Regional Seas conventions in ACP countries. It will also address ocean governance by supporting the implementation of Regional Seas conventions and supporting decision-making, development of policies, legislation, and monitoring tools. Under Component 2.1 of the programme, the Secretariat of the Cartagena Convention is supporting its Contracting Parties in the review, drafting, and/or updating of national policies, legislation, and/or regulations for the ratification and/or implementation of Conventions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), including the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation (OPRC). The objective of this consultancy is to provide technical support to the Government of Dominica in the development of a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP). This plan will serve as the national framework in preparing for and responding to oil spill incidents or potential incidents, whether occurring on land, within Dominica’s territorial waters, or in the wider marine areas under its jurisdiction. It will aim to prevent, reduce, and, where necessary, manage the environmental, social, and economic impacts of oil pollution, while aligning with Dominica’s commitments under relevant regional and international conventions. The plan will apply to: • Any discharge or release of oil into the marine environment within Dominica’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), territorial waters, and adjoining shorelines; • Oil spills that occur on land with the potential to impact rivers, coastal waters or marine habitats; • Transboundary spills or incidents in nearby high seas where there is a credible risk to Dominica’s marine resources or coastal areas. • In future phases, the plan may incorporate a National Dispersant Use Policy to regulate and guide the safe use of dispersants, including criteria for approval and operational use. Dominica’s NOSCP will also build on lessons learned from past regional experiences and simulations. It is expected that a National Oil Spill Response Committee (NOSRC) or similar national coordination mechanism will be established or designated to oversee the implementation of the plan and ensure that roles and responsibilities are assigned across relevant government agencies and partners. The Consultant will be expected to carry out the following duties in support of the improvement of the NOSCP: • Develop/Update the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan. • Prepare a practical, detailed, and operational plan tailored to Dominica’s risks, resources, and marine environment. • Outline response structures, coordination mechanisms, roles and responsibilities, equipment needs, communication strategies, and links to national and regional emergency frameworks. • Ensure the NOSCP is adaptable to different scales of spills (Tier 1 and 2), and includes clear steps for activation, monitoring, and post-response review. The consultant will report to the Laverne Walker at the UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat (CCS) and the Maritime Administration Unit, under the Ministry of Tourism, of Dominica. Payment will be made by UNEP upon the successful completion and delivery of outputs. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental / Earth / Marine Sciences, Geomatics, Crisis Management, and/or Engineering experience is required. Academic training in shipping operations, oil spills response, or related subject is desirable. At least 5 years of practical experience in Oil Spill Response measures, policy development, and/or environmental management is required. Knowledge and experience with the design, implementation and/or monitoring of policy development programmes are required. Experience with developing and/or implementing programmes and activities to enhance oil spill response management and responses at the national and/or regional levels is required. Experience working with national institutions and stakeholders involved in monitoring and ensuring compliance with national obligations under Marine-related Treaties, International Conventions, and/or other relevant legal instruments is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, proficiency in oral and written English is required. 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.