Marine Environmental Monitoring Specialist

Water and Energy Cluster

Based in Copenhagen, the UNOPS Water and Energy Cluster provides specialized project management services to partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Bank. Together with partners, the cluster executes projects that support sustainable development by:

• promoting international cooperation to prevent and reverse environmental degradation of international water systems
• enhancing the resilience of communities and eco-systems to climate change
• lowering emissions by bridging renewable energy solutions
• developing Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions to strengthen climate-resilient development

The Yellow Sea (YS) is located between the Chinese mainland and the Korean Peninsula, and is surrounded by coastal areas with massive urbanization and industrialization. The coastal zones are surrounded by several metropolitans such as Chinese cities of Dalian and Qingdao, and Korean cities of Seoul, Incheon, Ansan, and Gunsan. Intensive anthropogenic activities in these regions have contaminated environmental quality, along the coast. Rivers from PR China and RO Korea, such as Chinese rivers of Liaohe, Haihe and Yellow, and Korean rivers of Han, Geum and Youngsan also run into the YS, and a large amount of municipal and industrial pollutants are discharged to the YS.  Various pollutants tend to be accumulated in the YS because of exchange of water between the Bohai and the YS.  The YS can act as a sink and a long-term source. The YS is also one of the most important fishery stocks, and provides large amounts of seafood to Chinese and Korean cities. It is necessary to reduce and manage anthropogenic pollutants from lands and/or sea for sustainability of fisheries resource and safety of seafood. Overall pollution status and risk assessment of anthropogenic pollutants including legacy/new persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and metals should be investigated in the YS. The large geographical coverage in the coastal lines of the YS as well as the YS enables to gain insights into the anthropogenic impacts, the transport pathways, and the environmental fate of anthropogenic pollutants in the YS. It will be necessary to harmonize monitoring guidelines and analytical methods for data set with quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC).

Objectives                                                                                  

The objective underlying the proposed consultancy is to develop a proposal of regional pollution monitoring network and develop maps of anthropogenic pollutants, e.g. POPs and heavy metals and others in the YS as agreed by participating countries. To do this, it is necessary to harmonize monitoring methodology and update monitoring guidelines.

The consultant is expected to deliver the following results:

1. A proposal for guideline on regional pollution monitoring of target pollutants
2. A draft framework plan for establishing the monitoring network in the Yellow Sea
3. Pollution maps of anthropogenic pollutants in environmental media along the YS   

Output 1：A proposal for guidelines on regional pollution monitoring of target pollutants including legacy/new POPs, metals, and/or emerging contaminants in the YS

• Summarize and review the existing pollution monitoring guidelines, the environmental quality standards and regulations on marine environments of PR China and RO Korea;
• Through exchange visits of laboratories by experts of PR China and RO Korea, compare the similarities and differences of existing pollution monitoring guidelines, the environmental quality standards on marine environments between PR China and RO Korea;.
• Analyze their differences in guidelines and standards and identify and develop a practice note to enable clear and easy interpretation of data and information generated from the application of the respective guidelines and standards;
• Prepare the draft proposal for guidelines on regional pollution monitoring of target pollutants, and submit it for consultation and review by members of the RWG-P of the YSLME Phase II Project.
• Incorporate comments and submit a final draft proposal electronically as well as a hard copy.

Output 2: A draft framework plan for establishing the monitoring network in the Yellow Sea

• Review marine pollution monitoring network of PR China and RO Korea.
• Through exchange of visits facilitated by PMO, compare the similarities and differences of the marine pollution monitoring networks between China and RO Korea, and analyze the potential extent possible in YSLME.
• Assess the monitoring networks efficiency to focus on the major environmental problem (enrichment of nutrients) in the Yellow sea.
• Review the existing national marine pollution monitoring programs of PR China and RO Korea, the existing monitoring guidelines and methodology, and the environmental quality standards;
• Taking into account of social and economic context, administration needs and technical levels as well as the above assessment outcomes, propose a draft framework plan for establishing the monitoring network in the Yellow Sea at regional level for improved effectiveness.
• Present the draft framework plan of network at the workshop conducted by the PMO, and facilitate a discussion on the draft framework.
• Based on the comments from the different sides, revise and submit the final draft framework plan to REG-P and PMO.

Output 3: Pollution map of anthropogenic pollutants in environmental media along the YS

• Review existing data and information on anthropogenic pollutants including legacy/new POPs, metals, and/or emerging contaminants in the YS, propose target compounds for monitoring guidelines and methodology and propose hotspot areas
• Review QA/QC programs for reliable and compatible data set, propose inter-calibration exercise of participating laboratories.
• Organize and conduct working parties and training within area of competency
• Produce pollution maps of anthropogenic pollutants including nutrients, POPs and heavy metals in environmental media along the YS. Specific contaminants are subject to agreement by the PR China and RO Korea;

Education:

• Advanced university education at MSc or Ph.D. level with expertise in the area of environmental science, marine sciences or marine chemistry is required;

Experience:

• A good understanding of marine environmental monitoring of POPs and emerging contaminants is required;
• At least 7 years of professional experience in coastal and marine environment monitoring is required;
• Strong skills in data analysis and mapping are required;
• Experience in international cooperation in environmental projects, in particular with RO Korea is highly desired;
• Very good knowledge of marine environmental monitoring protocols and programs is an asset. 

Language:

• Fluency in English is required;
• Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

• 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.
• 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
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

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