Environmental Scientist / Ecologist

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background, and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations, and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and to uphold our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing the Country Programming Framework (CPF) for Namibia which sets out four government priority areas to guide FAO partnership with, and support to the Government of the Republic of Namibia. The FAO is supporting the Government of Namibia, through the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, to implement Government Priority Area 2 aimed at Improving agricultural production, productivity, food safety and strengthened value chains through a programme aimed at “Providing Technical Assistance for the sustainable management and Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources for the Neckartal Dam in the //Karas Region of Namibia (TCP/NAM/3805/C5).

Constructed to drive the Government’s Green Scheme Policy, the Neckartal Dam is expected to play a key and central role in uplifting the livelihoods of small, medium and large-scale farmers through an envisaged irrigation scheme with plans to create job opportunities for local inhabitants through agricultural activities including fisheries and aquaculture. The Neckartal Dam was constructed to drive green and blue economic development in the //Karas Region and is a response to the Government’s National Development Frameworks including NDP 5, Vision 2030 and the Harambee Prosperity Plan II.

The envisaged potential of developing sustainable inland fisheries and aquaculture sectors on the Neckartal Dam is well aligned with the National Plan of Action for Small-Scale Fisheries (NPOA SSF), currently under development by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. The NPOA-SSF’s objectives give emphasis to empowering vulnerable and marginalized small-scale fisheries actors and their organisations to engage in relevant processes that affect their livelihoods,and promotes supporting the development of small-scale fisheries value chains and post-harvest sectors, with a special gender and youth focus.

The realization of inland fisheries and aquaculture for the Neckartal Dam would realise supporting and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDGs 1 No poverty, 2 Zero hunger, 5 Gender equality, 12 Responsible consumption and production, 13 Climate action, and 14 Life below water.

As a specialized agency of the United Nations with vast technical experience in inland fisheries and aquaculture development, the FAO wishes to support the Namibian Government, through the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to guide the technical assessment for development of inland fisheries and aquaculture on the Neckartal Dam. This consultancy will support the Government of Namibia to undertake an Environmental Risk Assessment on the potential for fisheries and aquaculture infrastructure on the Neckartal Dam.

Reporting Lines

The work will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Namibia and under direction supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), as well as the National Consultant, reinforced with advice and guidance from the Lead Technical Officer, the FAO SFS Team at the FAO Sub Regional Office, and the MFMR in Namibia. Within the above-mentioned reporting lines, the Environmental Consultant will report to the National Consultant (Fisheries & Aquaculture).

Technical Focus

To contribute to the Feasibility Study by undertaking an Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) for the sustainable management and Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources (including infrastructure) in Namibia for the Neckartal Dam in the //Karas Region of Namibia.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Consultant will perform the following tasks: -

1. Outline a methodology and develop a detailed work plan for undertaking the Environmental Risk Assessment;
2. Undertake an in-depth desk review of relevant existing documents (including SEA; Pre-feasibility study reports etc.);
3. Review relevant environmental literature, environmental policy and legislation framework;
4. Undertake fieldwork and analysis, including engagement of stakeholders through a participatory approach and ensuring that women and youth are sufficiently engaged during the process (in collaboration with MFMR and the Project Team)
5. Conduct an Ecological Risk Assessment for the project to assess the risks of implementing aquaculture models, and infrastructures for capture fisheries considered for the Neckartal Dam
6. Conduct an Environmental Risk Log on the social and ecological effects of the project
7. Identify Key Risks, evaluate impact and establish a mitigation, management, monitoring and surveillance plan for the area (mitigation / optimisation measures)
8. Prepare the Environmental Management Plan (EMP)
9. Prepare the final Environmental Risk Assessment Report, including the EMP

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced University degree/ University degree in Environmental Management / Environmental Sciences
• Demonstrated Experience in undertaking Environmental and Ecological Risk Assessments
• Ten (10) or more years of evidence-based experience in and strong knowledge of Namibia’s Environmental Sector
• Knowledge of working in the aquaculture and inland fisheries sectors will be an advantage
• Working knowledge of English, knowledge of other languages used in Namibia desirable

• National of Namibia or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience of natural sciences and economics.

• Familiarity with Namibia’s policy landscape in Agriculture, Environment, Health and Energy, and Science Technology and
Innovation.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.