Ocean Acidification expert Full Time

Result of Service

1. Inception report with a detailed workplan articulating understanding of the roles and responsibilities under this consultancy. 2. A detailed background literature including a list of all scientific references and sources consulted and/or utilised for the preparation of the background literature, and a list of all scientific centres, experts and scientific networks involved in ocean acidification in the region. 3. An ocean acidification brief to raise awareness of emerging OA issues amongst policy makers, managers, the civil society and other stakeholders. 4. Regional Ocean Acidification Action Plan and implementation plan.

Work Location

Home-Based

Expected duration

5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP’s, 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. UNEP hosts and administers the Nairobi Convention secretariat for the protection, management and development of coastal and marine environment of the Western Indian Ocean. The Contracting Parties to the Nairobi Convention are Comoros, France, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa and United Republic of Tanzania. B. The ACP MEAs 3 Programme The third phase of the programme on capacity building related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP MEAs 3) countries result from a partnership between the European Commission (EC), the Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP Secretariat), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The environmental context of the programme aims to empower key stakeholders to address environmental challenges and to reap the benefits of improved environmental management at the national and regional level. In the context of the Nairobi Convention for the protection, management, and development of the marine and coastal environment of the Western Indian Ocean region, the ACP MEAs 3 Programme aims at better management of coasts and oceans, enhancing ocean governance and effective implementation of the Convention. The programme supports the strengthening of the governance framework of the Nairobi Convention and its associated protocols, the development of a regionally representative network of marine protected areas and enhance measures for reducing the influx of chemicals and waste entering the marine environment. Activity 2.1.7 of the Nairobi Convention component of the ACP MEAs 3 Programme will assess trends and impacts of ocean acidification in the Western Indian Ocean region leading to the development of a regional ocean acidification action plan. Ocean acidification in the Western Indian Ocean? The unique biodiversity of the Western Indian Ocean plays an essential role in water quality regulation, coastal protection, carbon fixation and storage, and increased resilience from climate change as well as providing feeding, breeding or nursery grounds of species of commercial interest for fisheries and endangered or threatened species. Globally, ocean absorbs approximately 26% of the annual emissions of anthropogenic CO2 from the atmosphere, helping to alleviate the impacts of climate change on the planet. The uptake of CO2 by the ocean benefits society by moderating climate change. Significant changes to the chemistry of the world’s oceans are now occurring as a result of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and meaningful action by governments are required to anticipate, mitigate, and adapt to the changes as part of the wider climate change intervention strategies and for achieving SDG14 target 14.3. Both the Regional State of the Coast Report and the Climate Change Strategy for the Nairobi Convention have identified ocean acidification as one of the potential threats that the Western Indian Ocean region will need to face. The Ninth Conference of Parties to the Nairobi Convention identified ocean acidification as a priority (Decision CP.9/1.) and called for multifaceted actions, capacity development, scientific cooperation, regional monitoring and adaptation activities (Decision CP.9/9.). Ocean acidification in the Western Indian Ocean region require enhanced collaboration and coordination, mapping of capacity and capabilities, and early warning on impacts of ocean acidification on the vulnerabilities of people, food security and ecological degradation of marine ecosystems, social conflicts, and associated policy responses to their interactions. It is necessary to generate a firm basis from which to develop a stepwise regional ocean acidification action plan. The Nairobi Convention requires the services of an ocean acidification expert to provide an up-to-date status on ocean acidification in the Western Indian Ocean region, its potential impacts, resilience and adaptation measures, monitoring, research and collaboration and networks. The consultant will support the development of a regional ocean acidification action plan and a 10-year implementation plan for the Western Indian Ocean countries. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES The objective of consultancy is to develop a Regional Ocean Acidification Action Plan for the Western Indian Ocean. Specifically, it seeks to provide mitigation and adaptation measures to current and future ocean acidification impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems and their continued provision of goods and services to coastal livelihoods. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the direct supervision coordinator of the Nairobi Convention secretariat, the consultant will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities in consultation with appropriate stakeholders and ocean acidification expert groups in the Western Indian Ocean: 1. Conduct a wide literature review of the latest scientific findings on ocean acidification (OA) and its potential links to environmental impacts on food security in the Western Indian Ocean. a. Provide a review on the state of ocean acidification (OA) in the Western Indian Ocean based on scientifically credible information, vulnerability assessment for a full range of OA risk and impacts. b. Screen for data and indicators available from experts and relevant scientific bodies in the Western Indian Ocean to identify trends, threats and opportunities to the marine ecosystem with respect to food security and the marine environment. c. Provide a brief version of OA action plan and provide possible adaptation and mitigation measures for food security, and policy options for decision makers and other stakeholders. 2. Draft and submit a regional Ocean Acidification Action Plan for the Western Indian Ocean region: a. The Action plan strategic priorities for the Western Indian Ocean region may include: i. Mitigating ocean acidification such as through restoration of critical marine and coastal habitats and aquaculture approaches ii. Building resilience measures of affected communities, including resilience of resilience of shellfish aquaculture and fisheries value chain iii. Measures to reduce local water-borne and airborne pollution that exacerbates OA. iv. Mainstreaming resilience and adaptation measures to OA into policies, planning, and operations v. Collaboration, OA Observing Network for monitoring and research including sharing of lessons to improve OA efforts. b. Develop 10-year implementation plan for the regional ocean acidification action aligned to countries strategic priorities on climate change and ocean acidification with goals and related actions that address: i. the risks that OA poses to the Western Indian Ocean assets and interests are well understood among policymakers, resource managers, affected socio-economic activities of coastal communities, and the public. ii. relevant monitoring information about OA that is widely accessible for decision making, and delivered in a usable form, and routinely applied to climate change decisions across the public and private sectors. iii. scientific understanding of OA, interactions of OA with other environmental drivers, and how OA affects coastal and marine ecosystems for ocean and coastal management decisions. iv. countries integration of OA into decisions and policies, and to mainstream elements of the OA action plan into operations that contribute to minimise impacts of OA on marine biodiversity and communities likely to be affected by OA. v. strategic and effectively financed conservation and restoration efforts of mangroves, seagrass meadows, kelp forests, and salt marshes to secure carbon storage benefits and co-location of aquaculture with successful mangrove and seagrass conservation. vi. enhanced communication and systematic awareness of OA on efforts for reduction of GHG emissions, options for reducing local sources of acidifying pollutants, tools for assessing water quality indicators for management or regulatory actions, innovative and effective strategies addressing ecosystems and resilience of coastal communities, adaptation through improved technologies and management flexibility, and improving attention to oceans in international climate negotiations. vii. a robust regional collaboration on OA-related policy, science, and communications with coordinated responses across the Western Indian Ocean region and strategic partnerships and networks to leverage opportunities for investments necessary to implement the OA action plan. 3. Prepare a summary brief of the OA action plan, the OA implementation plan and related measures for assessing progress 4. Participate in the validation of the regional Ocean Acidification Action Plan for the WIO region by policymakers, managers, and experts, and incorporate inputs, and additional comments into the action plan. 5. Provide the final regional ocean acidification action plan for the Western Indian Ocean to include measures for assessing progress in implementing the Ocean Acidification Action Plan, communication, and outreach.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree, PhD) in the field of ecology, marine biochemistry, environmental science, coastal ecosystems management, or related discipline is required. • A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in developing and/or implementing programmes on coastal ecosystems conservation, natural resources management (ecosystem management, implementation of marine resource management activities with Governments etc.); Demonstrated knowledge and experience for obtaining ecological, social and economic data, good understanding of mitigation and adaptation science from a socioecological perspective, and working experience with research and academic institutions in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) is required. Knowledge in Ocean Chemistry and Climate Change is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.