Background: While the majority of the over 30 islands and atolls of the Marshall Islands are in pristine condition, the urban environment of the atoll nation Majuro is severely degraded due to a range of issues including overpopulation, intensive infrastructure development, historic lack of environmental oversight, and its naturally vulnerable character. Foreign assistance arrives to the country in great amounts for infrastructure development, including airports, seaports, coastal dredging, reclamation and a variety of other projects. The Agency involved in regulating development and ensuring the environment is protected, the RMI Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), requires the assistance of a Coastal Environmental Advisor for a range of duties that continue a capacity building process at the organization to build its self-reliance.
Recently, a national coastal management framework for action has been drafted to deal with a range of coastal environment issues. This program includes full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for development projects, development of a Geographic Information System
(GIS) for land-use planning, project management, conservation, and development of strategic steps of coastal management including: solid waste, dredging, marine water quality and coastal construction.
A suitable candidate will be experienced in environmental management in coastal areas, preferably small island states, or tropical ecosystems. Flexibility and creativity in the workplace are extremely important to facilitate the implementation of unique island solutions for unique atoll problems. Located in the capital of the Marshall Islands, Majuro Atoll, the EPA consists of nearly 20 staff members on three urban centers (Majuro, Ebeye and Jaluit Atolls.) Majuro Atoll is populated by roughly 30,000 people on a 30 mile extremely narrow reef rim. Management activities are prioritized in these urban centers as well as the northern island center of Wotje. Some travel to outer islands is expected, as well as periodic international travel.
Qualifications:
• Minimum 4 years international experience
• Master's Degree in Environmental Science, Management, Policy, or similar.
• 7 Years experience with Environmental or Coastal Management.
• Ability to live and work in a foreign country for a minimum of 2 years.
• Demonstrated understanding of the issues and needs of a developing country.
The desired qualifications of applicants are:
• 3 years experience with GIS applications.
• Scientific understanding of tropical marine ecosystems.
• Certified SCUBA diver with research diving experience.
• Experience coordinating Environmental Impact Assessment (EIAs).
• Experience with implementing policy and awareness raising.
• Experience of managing a small team and capacity building.
• Experience with enforcing Regulations preferred.
Scope of Work: The Environmental Advisor will be responsible for the following duties within the RMI EPA:
• In cooperation with a proponent and sub-contracted consultant, coordinate and evaluate Environmental Impact Assessments for major infrastructure projects.
• Build capacity of the General Manager, Coastal Management Officer, GIS Officer, and Conservation Officer to continue the implementation of the RMI Coastal Management National Framework and enforce the RMIEPA Environmental Regulations under the National Environmental Protection Act 1984.
• Manage the Coastal and Land Management Department and RMEIPA development permitting system including the regulation, permitting and monitoring of all construction projects in RMI i.e., Power plants, Coconut processing Plant, tuna processing Plant, Sewer outfall, Dry-dock(s), Waste dumps, Seawall constructions etc.
• Coordinate GIS data collection and database development. For utilization in coastal and environmental management
• Provide general scientific and technical advice on the range of technical issues that the EPA faces over the course of a year.
Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience. Contract includes one return airfare to the Marshall Islands and housing but successful applicant must have his or her own medical insurance.
Position Open Until: October 31st 2008
To Apply: Send CV and cover letter to Andrew Finlay at finlayrao@yahoo.co.uk
Process of Appointment: Review of applicants for short listing by current advisor; telephone interview of short list; final short-list presented to RMIEPA Board of Directors and recommendation made on final appointment. Position to start February 2009.
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