National Consultant to Support the Implementation of the EU funded EcAp MED III project IMAP in Libya (Level B)

Result of Service The objective of this assignment is to ensure that IMAP national team of Libya in charge of pollution and marine litter is given the necessary technical support and guidance to effectively deliver the ECAP MED III project activities related to marine litter and pollution monitoring and assessment.

Work Location Home-Based

Expected duration 55 working days spread over a period of 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities Background 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 environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. United Nation’s Environment 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. This consultancy assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), QSR & EcAp Unit, Athens, Greece. In line with the Decision IG.25/19: Programme of Work and Budget for 2022-2023 (Antalya, Turkiye, 7-10 December 2021) and Decision IG 22/7 on the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) for the Mediterranean Sea and Coast and Related Assessment Criteria (Athens, Greece, 9-12 February 2016), all the Contracting Parties shall implement their respective national monitoring programmes. This work is supported through three EU funded projects – EcAp MED III, IMAP-MPA and Marine Litter Med II – GEF Adriatic in addition to the Mediterranean Trust Fund (MTF). The Contracting Parties have developed national IMAP-based monitoring programmes addressing the respective IMAP Ecological Objectives (EO) and Common Indicators per each cluster of IMAP, namely Biodiversity and Non-indigenous species (NIS), Pollution and Marine Litter (Eutrophication, Contaminants, Marine Litter), Coast and Hydrography. The EU-funded “Support to Efficient Implementation of the Ecosystem Approach-based Integrated Monitoring and Assessment of the Mediterranean Sea and Coasts and to delivery of data-based 2023 Quality Status Report in synergy with the EU MSFD” (EcAp MED III) Project is implemented by UNEP/MAP. It supports, inter alia, the implementation of the national IMAP in seven beneficiary countries (namely Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia) and the delivery of a data-based 2023 Mediterranean Quality Status Report (2023 MED QSR). It also supports harmonized assessment at national level through the preparation of national preliminary conclusions of the initial assessment. The national activities in the seven beneficiary countries focus on supporting the operational on-the-ground implementation of national IMAPs, through the national and joint monitoring of selected Common Indicators based on national IMAP, with focus on biodiversity, and pollution and marine litter. In this regard, there is a need for a national consultant to support the UNEP/MAP Coordinating Unit and MED POL by providing scientific and technical guidance to the national team of Libya for pollution and marine litter monitoring related activities under the MAP PoW 2022-2023 with support from the ECAP MED III project.

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks under the direct supervision of the EcAp MED III Project manager and the overall guidance of the QSR Programme Officer, and in coordination with the MED POL Monitoring and Assessment Officer, for the preparation of a marine pollution and litter field survey programme, in line with the IMAP National Marine Pollution and Litter Monitoring Programme approved through consultations at national level:

Tasks: 1) Prepare a detailed work plan and timetable. 2) Develop an inventory of all available monitoring data (at least for the years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 as available) related to Pollution and Marine Litter (ML) not already submitted to IMAP Info System/ MED POL Database, as well as available historical data for a period to be selected by the consultant, if available, as reference data. Additional data that might be made available from different national institutions and from the scientific literature, the use of which needs to be validated for filling in data gaps relevant for setting the monitoring areas/transects with a view to supporting implementation of the National IMAP Pollution and ML, may also be considered for inclusion to the inventory. 3) Prepare a practical manual for national authorities related to all steps of the analytical processes for the sampling, sample processing and transportation, analytical measurements, quality assurance and data reporting, costs of implementation and other elements necessary to build, support, and implement a reliable process for implementation of monitoring activities, in line with the UNEP/MAP Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP)1, and further to knowledge gaps revealed during the implementation of the National IMAP Pollution and Marine Litter. 4) Further to the present status of the National IMAP Pollution and Marine Litter implementation, define the criteria for the identification of the priority stations/areas/transects where monitoring activities will take place and in line with the National IMAP Pollution and Marine Litter, related to (EO5) Eutrophication, CI 13 Concentration of key nutrients in water column and CI 14 Chlorophyll- a concentration in water column and (EO9) Contaminants in sediments, CI 17 Concentration of key harmful contaminants measured in the relevant matrix and CI 21 Percentage of intestinal enterococci concentration measurements within established standards, and up to two locations for the monitoring of CI 22 “Beach litter” (macro- and micro-litter) for EO10, including spatial distribution maps (in GIS and JPG format) of selected monitoring sites to support implementation of the field survey monitoring programme. 5) Prepare a field survey programme based on the results of Tasks 3 and 4, by elaborating the fine details of the monitoring effort for each parameter along with the associated on-board and laboratory equipment; cost-effective operations; time frame; financial aspects; undertaking Quality Assurance/Quality Control of sampling operations and data processing; training of national personnel; and reporting of quality-assured data into the IMAP Pilot Info System. 6) Prepare a tender documentation package for the execution of the field survey programme at national level for Pollution and Marine Litter, ensuring full synergy to the extent possible and cost effectiveness with similar services provided under the EU-funded IMAP MPA Project. 7) Provide scientific support and quality control of the field survey programme implementation by the national IMAP competent authorities. 8) Support the national IMAP competent authorities to prepare and upload all available data in the IMAP Info System. 9) Provide detailed narrative report on the implemented tasks

Outputs: 1) Detailed work plan and timetable is prepared and agreed (Task 1). 2) An inventory of all available Pollution and Marine Litter monitoring data not already submitted to IMAP Info System/ MED POL Database is prepared (Task 2). 3) A practical manual for national authorities is developed on all the steps of the analytical process in order to address knowledge gaps in the implementation of the National IMAP Pollution and ML (Task 3). 4) Field survey programme for Pollution and Marine Litter with all required specifications, including the tender documentation package for its execution, is designed and submitted to the national IMAP competent authorities in charge, for approval (Tasks 4, 5 & 6). 5) Scientific inputs and quality control is provided of the field survey programme for Pollution and Marine Litter implementation (Task 7) 6) Technical support provided for the validation of data and upload in the IMAP Info-System (Task 8) 7) Final Report delivered (Task 9)

Reporting lines The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the EcAp MED III Project Manager and overall guidance of the QSR Programme Officer and in coordination with the MED POL Monitoring and Assessment Officer.

Qualifications/special skills Advanced university degree in marine science and /or environmental science is required; A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience on monitoring and assessment of pollution and/or marine litter in the marine environment is required in particular for at least two of the aspects listed below: a) organization and participation in field monitoring surveys; b) preparation/application of good/standardized laboratory practices; c) sampling and sample preservation; d) sample preparation and analysis of all matrixes; e) analytical quality assurance and data reporting; f) control of data processing and reporting including data collection and statistical processing; Working experience in all aspects indicated above is a strong asset; Good knowledge of the UNEP/MAP system, MED POL and IMAP, is a strong asset; Good knowledge in office automation software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and understanding of GIS is required;

Languages Fluency in oral English and excellent writing skills in English are required. Knowledge of French is an asset.

No Fee THE 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.