Oil Spill Contingency Planning Expert at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Duties and Responsibilities

The Nairobi Convention is executing the GEF funded project on the “Western Indian Ocean Large Marine Ecosystems Strategic Action Programme Policy Harmonisation and Institutional Reforms (SAPPHIRE) in coordination with the participating countries and partners both at national and regional level. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Regional Service Centre for Africa is the implementing agency of the SAPPHIRE project providing oversight in the execution of the project. The main objective of the SAPPHIRE project is to achieve effective long-term ecosystem management in the WIO Large Marine Ecosystems in line with the Strategic Action Programme for sustainable management of the WIO Large Marine Ecosystems as endorsed by the participating countries. The Convention has provided the legal framework for regional cooperation and coordination among WIO countries to address common challenges such as marine pollution, oil spills and the conservation of marine biodiversity.

Mauritius is prone to oil spills at sea by the fact that it lies along the international shipping lanes which are among the busiest in the world. The demand for oil is expected to remain robust, with an increase in maritime traffic and trade of oil products in the region, thus increasing the risk of oil spill further. In 1990, the first National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) was prepared with the collaboration of UNEP and International Maritime Organization (IMO). The NOSCP has been reviewed severally and tested regularly through drills and desktop exercises. The NOSCP covers the roles, duties and responsibilities of relevant national authorities before, during and after an oil spill. In view of the recent increase in risk of oil spill in the territorial waters of the Republic of Mauritius, the Government has reviewed the current National Oil Spill Contingency Plan which includes the Port Louis Harbour Oil Spill Response Plan, the draft Rodrigues Oil Spill Contingency Plan and the draft Dispersant Policy.

Objective

• The Nairobi Convention would like to hire a senior consultant in Oil Spills to work with the Convention, the Government of Mauritius, and other key stakeholders to Conduct Public Consultations and Finalise the Updated National Oil Spill Contingency Plan of the Republic of Mauritius. The consultant will facilitate stakeholder consultations workshops to sensitise the population on the updated NOSCP and update the NOSCP based on comments and inputs from the workshops. In executing the consultancy, the consultant will work closely with the Convention team, designated officials of the Government of Mauritius, UNDP Country Offices in Mauritius, National Focal Point of the SAPPHIRE project, and others as deemed appropriate and necessary.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities

• Under overall supervision of the Head of the Nairobi Convention Secretariat and direct supervision of the SAPPHIRE Project Coordinator, and in close collaboration with the Government of Mauritius, the consultant will coordinate the overall process of stakeholder consultations to sensitise and receive inputs from the population of Mauritius on the updated National Oil Spill Contingency Plan. The consultant will undertake the following specific tasks:
• Facilitate consultation meetings (10), on the revised NOSCP, with key stakeholders (ministries, parastatal bodies, private sector including tourism, fisheries amongst others).
• Revise and submit the updated NOSCP by incorporating the comments and inputs from the consultation workshops including recommendation on gaps to be addressed to make the NOSCP fully operational.

Performance Indicators

• Workshop report(s) capturing the key concerns, inputs, perspectives, and relevant recommendations from the consultation meetings.
• Revised NOSCP for Mauritius incorporating the comments and inputs from the consultation meetings as well as recommendation on gaps to be addressed to make the NOSCP fully operational.

Qualifications/special skills

• Academic Qualifications: Academic qualifications: First degree is required in Marine Biology/ Sciences (Marine biology and coastal management/Maritime Safety and Environmental Protection/ Maritime Affairs - Maritime Safety & Environmental Administration/ Oceanography and Marine Environmental Management), Marine Engineering, Environmental Sciences or other closely related fields. A diploma in the above fields with an additional five years of experience may be accepted in lieu of first degree.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience is required in the environmental or marine sciences sector, in international setting including in the Western Indian Ocean region. Experience with oil spill contingency at sea (plans, methods and technologies) and related national laws, policies, strategies is desired. Excellent analytical, advocacy, presentation, writing and communications skills are required; Experience in conducting training and capacity building especially working in SIDS is an added advantage.
• Language: English and French are the official working languages of the United Nations. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written knowledge of English is required. Working knowledge of French is an added advantage.