Environmental Technical Expert in UN Volunteers

Mission and objectives

UNDP supports strategic capacity development initiatives to promote inclusive growth and sustainable human development. Together with national, regional and local authorities, civil societies, private sector, UNDP strives to support Ukraine in its efforts to eliminate poverty, develop people’s capacity, achieve equitable results, sustain the environment, and advance democratic governance.

 UNDP is in line with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to achieve national strategic capacity development.

Context

The purpose of the Environmental Damage Assessment project is to enable the State Environmental Inspectorate to effectively fulfil its responsibilities in calculating the damage, losses, and harm caused to the environment and state natural resources within its jurisdiction, as a result of accidents, emergencies, military aggression, terrorism, or other criminal acts, particularly since the onset of martial law.

The project involves creation of an Interactive Environmental Damage Register Platform as an information and analytical subsystem integrated into the State Inspectorate’s existing electronic document circulation system, and platform will facilitate and accurately document activities related to calculating the damage, losses, and harm caused to the natural environment and state natural resources within the Inspectorate’s jurisdiction, due to accidents, emergencies, military aggression, terrorism, or other criminal acts, particularly since the onset of the martial law. 

Additionally, the upcoming module of the integrated information and analytical subsystem will equip state inspectors of Ukraine in environmental protection with the necessary information support, facilitate the preparation, approval, and processing of documents, and aid in the implementation of environmental measures to enhance control over environmental protection, sustainable use of natural resources, and radiation safety.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Analyze Environmental Information Systems (EIS): Evaluate current and planned EIS and tools in the USA and EU (e.g., EEA, EIONET, Copernicus, INSPIRE, Sentinels) to recommend their potential adoption in Ukraine.

2. Assess Environmental Damage Using Remote Sensing: Utilize satellite imagery and OSINT to evaluate environmental damage from military actions in national parks, following CMU Resolution No. 326 (March 20, 2022).

3. Develop Evidence Collection Guidelines: Create protocols for using remote sensing and OSINT to gather evidence of military activities and assess related environmental damage, ensuring a secure chain of custody.

4. Propose Technical Specifications for Damage Register: Design technical requirements for a register detailing parameters necessary for calculating environmental damage, incorporating spatial data from domestic and international sources.

5. Create Training Materials for Inspectors: Develop and deliver training materials for State Environmental Inspectorate staff on utilizing electronic tools and data to assess environmental damage.

6. Recommend Information Processing Standards: Identify and suggest relevant ISO/EN standards for information processing to enhance the efficiency of environmental damage assessment procedures.

7. Enhance Web Portals with Cartographic Data: Prepare proposals and digital layers for cartographic displays on updated State Information Service web portals to improve environmental data visualization.

8. Produce Analytical Reports: Author research papers focusing on environmental damage assessment to support policy development and best practices.

This position comes with the following benefits and entitlements for UN Volunteers (National UN Volunteer Expert):

• Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of USD 2076 (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Well-Being Differentials for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”.
• Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance
• Annual leave: 30 days
• Certified sick leave: 30 days annually
• Uncertified sick leave: 7 days annually
• Learning leave: 10 days annually

To apply for a vacancy, please first register on the UN Volunteers platform https://app.unv.org/ ; and send an application using this link:https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1784888021259669

The final date to apply is the 17th of April inclusive.