Oil Spills Consultant

Environment

Overview

Provide technical support to update oil spill policies for Barbados.

You have:

• At least 5 years of practical experience in Oil Spill Response measures, policy development, and/or environmental management is required.
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental / Earth / Marine Sciences, Geomatics, Crisis Management, and/or Engineering experience is required.
• Good understanding of national policies, regulations, and the application of obligations under international conventions.
• Knowledge and experience with the design, implementation and/or monitoring of policy development programmes are required.
• Proficiency in oral and written English is required.
• Academic training in shipping operations, oil spills response, or related subject is desirable.
• Demonstrate accountability and exhibit sound judgment and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to complete technical evaluations of best management practices and technologies for oil spill response and make recommendations for implementation.

Result of Service Updated National Oil Spill Contingency Plan and National Dispersant Use Policy documents for Barbados

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration Eight (8) months.

Duties and Responsibilities Organisational Setting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional levels. lts 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 Caribbean Environment Programme and Cartagena Convention Secretariat supports 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 MEAs III) Programme. This programme is building capacity in 79 countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific to support them in fulfilling their obligations as parties to Multilateral Environmental Agreements and to respond 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 support 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).

This consultancy aims to provide technical support to the Government of Barbados as a Contracting Party to the Cartagena Convention for effective implementation of Article 3 of the Oil Spills Protocol and the OPRC Convention.

The National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) of Barbados was developed for use in the response to any oil spill incidents or potential incidents, whether on land or in the waters of Barbados. This plan was designed for the minimization and prevention of adverse environmental impacts and the protection and preservation of human health, safety, and well-being. The National Dispersant Use policy, which forms part of the plan, was formulated to manage the use of dispersants and to provide clear procedures for their approval and use. The objective of the NOSCP for Barbados is to prevent or, where prevention is not possible, mitigate and minimize adverse environmental impacts of oil pollution. The contingency plan covers the discharge or release of oil into the marine environment within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Barbados, its adjoining shorelines, and high seas where any threat to Barbados’ waters, shore-face or shelf bottom exists and discharges or releases of oil into the territorial environment of Barbados, including releases into inland water bodies.

The National Oil Spill Response Committee (NOSRC) and the Barbados National Response Team (BNRT) prepared the first response plan in 2002. Following a successful oil spill response simulation in 2004, the NOSRC made note of certain deficiencies that needed to be addressed to improve the national response plan.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Consultant will be expected to carry out the following duties in support of the improvement of the NOSCP:

- Conduct a Literature Review, - Conduct data collection and analysis on the emergency response system, the national oil spill plan, and its supporting documents. - Conduct a Gap Analysis of the plan and policy and identify the elements needed to fill any deficiencies. - Conduct a Risk Assessment; - Draft a revised National Oil Spill Contingency Plan for Barbados and the National Dispersant Use Policy.

The consultant will report to the UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat and the Ministry of Environment and National Beautification of Barbados. Payment will be made by UNEP upon the successful completion and delivery of outputs.

Qualifications/special skills Skills: - Results-oriented and possess strong organizational and planning skills. - Demonstrate accountability and exhibit sound judgment and decision-making capabilities. - Ability to complete technical evaluations of best management practices and technologies for oil spill response and make recommendations for implementation. - Good understanding of national policies, regulations, and the application of obligations under international conventions. - Good writing skills. Academic Qualifications: - Advanced 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. Experience: - 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. Language: English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, proficiency in oral and written English is required.

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.

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Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org