Ecologist - Advisor (Aquatic Ecologist)-Retainer, Multiple positions

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  

The objectives of the study are to:

• Collect, collate and compile comprehensive baseline information on the aquatic and riverine ecosystems.

• Determine the significance of aquatic ecological impacts caused by the proposed project, taking direct, indirect and cumulative impacts into consideration, and to recommend any mitigation and monitoring that should be included in the remedial works and operation of the dams to mitigate negative impacts and enhance potential benefits; and 

• In the case of dams projects, identify and describe the potential structural and non-structural measures to at least maintain or better still increase ecological flow downstream of the dams.

• Develop a Biodiversity and Ecological Management Plan for the affected project sites.

• Describe the detailed baseline conditions of the proposed project, including habitat integrity, ecological importance and sensitivity; short, medium and long term impacts that could result from the preparation, construction and operation of the proposed project.The report shall include a description of the project’s impact on the water resources (water quantity, quality, and sediments) in the project area, and the upstream and downstream areas
• In bringing out the IUCN status of aquatic species of flora and fauna for each of the project areas, clearly identify aquatic species that are listed in such sensitive categories as vulnerable, threatened, endangered or endemic. For each species identified as such, propose appropriate remedial measures to avoid further decline of such species population in their respective habitats. The Specialist will further define in each case, species that may be at a critical stage of extinction (critically endangered species) and appropriately outline remedial measures to protect such species from extinction.
• Following the respective studies above, for project area, indicate where aquatic impacts are likely to be more significant, what kind of species are threatened and where structured interventions may be of use. The mitigation measures proposed against the impacts for each of the sites ought to be responsive to the significance of the impacts identified.
•  Identify both positive and negative indirect effects of irrigation on aquatic biodiversity; and the impact on the ecosystem of a possible increase in populations that may arise as a result of improved agricultural productivity.
• Describe management actions and monitoring required to ensure biodiversity is preserved in areas where high risks of impacts are observed and finally develop a Biodiversity and Ecological Management Plan to be implemented for monitoring purposes.

• Habitats identified in the respective  project area of influence should be clearly stated whether they are natural or modified habitats.
• In the case where Critical Habitats are identified, make reference to the requirements of the applicable habitat safeguards  and indicate actions to protect, restore or improve conditions to reduce impact on biodiversity, consistent with this safeguard policy.
• Sampling of water quality or biota is anticipated to verify reports of endangered species.
• To the extent that it is reasonably practical in a screening study, the consultant shall follow a recognised approach to the determination of aquatic habitat integrity and ecological importance and sensitivity, such as that of Kleynhans (Environmental Flow Assessments for Rivers: Manual for the Building Block Methodology )
• Impact identification should include both positive and negative impacts taking into consideration the nature of impacts.
• In addition to proposing appropriate mitigation measures against identified impacts, submissions should be made on how positive impacts may be enhanced.

• Project site(s): Description of the identified aquatic ecosystem (including the river system) in the project area to form the baseline conditions of each project site and Biodiversity and Ecological Management Plan (one report and plan project site (if more than one)
• For each project site for which a Biodiversity Assessment has been undertaken : Updated baseline description; and a comprehensive Biodiversity and Ecological Management Plan.The management plan should include the potential impacts and respective mitigation measures of the identified aquatic ecosystem in the project area.

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Biology, Zoology, Geology, Forestry, Environmental studies or any other relevant discipline discipline is required.
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience in Biology, Zoology, Geology, Forestry, Environmental studies or any other relevant discipline may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree.

• Full knowledge of the English working language is required

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information – Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMC)

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMC/East and Southern Africa sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and Southern Africa. This includes transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, other UN partners, development banks and funds. The multi-country office also supports multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Eritrea. The Nairobi based Technical Services Unit provides UN/OPS and external partners infrastructure assessment, planning, design, feasibility and safeguards services.