Background Information – Job-specific
UNOPS undertakes various projects that require Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and one of the components in this process is the Biodiversity and Ecological Assessment. To comply with various other policies on Natural Habitats, impacts determination on flora and fauna species found in the project area, resulting from rehabilitation/construction works and operation.
The ecological dynamics of the project area is potentially the cumulative changes brought about by the activities on the project area which may negatively affect the upstream and downstream aquatic and wetland environment and may also impact on upstream on the river system Depending on the type of a project, such as a Dam project, trap efficiency of the dams may also starve the downstream areas of sediment, increasing the erosive potential of flows and the risk of channeling and drying out the wetlands. It is imperative therefore to conduct an assessment and identify ecological impacts that these changes may bring to the ecological system in the respective project areas already identified through the initial screening as vulnerable sites.
The biodiversity and ecological assessment study shall therefore include any necessary management actions to protect aquatic fauna and flora, together with a full monitoring plan, including monitoring parameter, monitoring methodology, monitoring frequency, personnel and reporting requirements. The ecological management and monitoring requirements shall be included as a part of the ESMP in a Biodiversity and Ecological Management Plan and in the Operational and Maintenance Manual of the project thereafter.
Under the overall supervision of the KEMC Technical Services Manager, the Ecologist Advisor (Aquatic Ecologist) will give his/her technical expertise as required to support the activities of the unit.
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.
Position backgroundUNOPS undertakes various projects that require Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and one of the components in this process is the Biodiversity and Ecological Assessment. To comply with various other policies on Natural Habitats, impacts determination on flora and fauna species found in the project area, resulting from rehabilitation/construction works and operation.
The ecological dynamics of the project area is potentially the cumulative changes brought about by the activities on the project area which may negatively affect the upstream and downstream aquatic and wetland environment and may also impact on upstream on the river system Depending on the type of a project, such as a Dam project, trap efficiency of the dams may also starve the downstream areas of sediment, increasing the erosive potential of flows and the risk of channeling and drying out the wetlands. It is imperative therefore to conduct an assessment and identify ecological impacts that these changes may bring to the ecological system in the respective project areas already identified through the initial screening as vulnerable sites.
The biodiversity and ecological assessment study shall therefore include any necessary management actions to protect aquatic fauna and flora, together with a full monitoring plan, including monitoring parameter, monitoring methodology, monitoring frequency, personnel and reporting requirements. The ecological management and monitoring requirements shall be included as a part of the ESMP in a Biodiversity and Ecological Management Plan and in the Operational and Maintenance Manual of the project thereafter.
Under the overall supervision of the KEMC Technical Services Manager, the Ecologist Advisor (Aquatic Ecologist) will give his/her technical expertise as required to support the activities of the unit.
Study Objectives The objectives of the study are to: Collect, collate …
Education
- 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.
Experience
- At least seven (7) years of experience in ecosystems is required;
- Minimum of two (2) years experience in Africa region will be required;
- Knowledge of flow-related impacts caused by dams will be an asset;
- Recognized expertise on river systems, preferably in southern Africa will be an asset;
- Knowledge of the use of river health rating systems will be an asset;
- Knowledge of Geographical Information System Mapping (GIS) will be an added advantage;
- Experience with International organisations will be an added advantage.
Languages
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Full knowledge of the English working language is required
