Consultant Opportunity: Extractive Industries and World Heritage Project Coordinator

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

We are looking for an experienced, organised and independent consultant to compile research and recommendations and consult stakeholders on the issue of extractives and World Heritage Sites

 

Increasing demand for resource extraction means it is more critical than ever to set aside areas for the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services essential to life on earth. UNESCO natural World Heritage Sites (WHSs), covering less than 1% of the world’s surface, are recognised as being of Outstanding Universal Value to humanity and as such are the flagship of the global network of protected areas. Yet these sites and other protected areas are increasingly threatened by expansion of mining and oil and gas activities.

 

IUCN has a long-held position that exploration and exploitation of extractives is incompatible with WHS status and in 2003 the members of the International Council for Mining and Metals (ICMM) and Shell declared WHSs as ‘no-go’.  However, this commitment has been slow to extend further into the oil and gas industry and only a handful of finance institutions have made commitments not to fund extractive operations in WHSs.  It is clear that improved cross-sectoral support for the World Heritage Convention – by governments, civil society and the private sector - is needed to ensure the integrity of our natural World Heritage.

 

ZSL has been reviewing the basis for a strengthened no-go commitment for World Heritage, and this project will further evaluate evidence and perspectives from extractive companies, industry groups, the finance and investment sector, policy experts, State Parties, civil society, scientists, NGOs, WHS managers and stakeholders on the ground, to explore the challenges and solutions to safeguarding WHSs from the impacts of the extractive industry.

 

The postholder will work closely with colleagues in the Policy and Business and Biodiversity programmes in the Science to Government and Industry Unit (SGIU) and Institute of Zoology Indicators and Assessments Unit at ZSL, and with other identified partners and stakeholders, to carry out basic research and consultation on the issue of extractives and protected areas, in particular World Heritage Sites, produce a report of findings and recommendations, help organise a proposed session on this topic at the World Parks Congress in Australia in November 2014, and complete any required follow-up actions, including preparing proposals for future work.  Please see the Job Description on our website for further details.

 

The position will be based in the Conservation Programmes department at ZSL’s offices in Regent’s Park, London and is for six months, working for 4 days a week, starting immediately.  The work could also be carried out on a consultancy basis.

 

To apply please send your CV and details of two referees to noelle.kumpel@zsl.org by 20 August 2014.