Job Purpose
The Biodiversity Specialist is responsible for the management of the terrestrial ecology on-site during the construction activities to ensure compliance with legislation, international standards (IFC), Company Referential and the Biodiversity Management Commitments in the approved ESHIA. Also, the job holder will Support the Environment Advisor to manage Biodiversity on the Package.
Key Activities
- Providing biodiversity management advice, guidance and support to the Environment Advisor and Package Team within the Project perimeter
- Developing and implementing the Project’s Biodiversity Management Plans and Procedures to ensure compliance with the regulatory and company requirements
- Reviewing the Package Contractor’s Biodiversity Implementation Plans to ensure compliance with the regulatory and company requirements
- Reviewing the competencies of the Contractor’s personnel to manage terrestrial flora and fauna impacts and implement mitigation measures
- Conducting, participating or supervising pre-construction, site-sensitivity ecological surveys to identify species and habitats at risk
- Monitoring and documenting/mapping biodiversity conditions before construction begins particularly within environmentally sensitive habitats e.g. Ramsar, Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) to establish location-specific mitigation control requirements
- Ensuring the Contractor implements mitigation measures to limit habitat destruction and disturbance to wildlife
- Providing recommendations of protective mitigation structures to be installed to protect habitats and species e.g. barriers, wildlife corridors, bog mats in wetlands
- Regularly monitors construction activities to ensure compliance with biodiversity protection controls
- Supervision of contractors' environment personnel and project team to ensure compliance
- Developing and implementing adaptive management strategies based on monitoring and observations during the construction activities
- Developing biodiversity awareness material e.g. wildlife identification/sighting guides, to communicate mitigation control requirements
- Ensuring that all site personnel are aware of the applicable biodiversity management requirements for the Project and apply them
- Educating Package Team and stakeholders about biodiversity management and best practices via: Routine training, toolbox talks, awareness campaigns and procedural rollouts and ensuring similar programmes and tools are deployed by the Contractors on their worksites
- Responding to any incidents that may harm biodiversity, such as accidental spills or habitat destruction and implementing immediate corrective actions to mitigate damage
- Maintaining detailed records of biodiversity monitoring and mitigation efforts and preparing reports for the relevant stakeholders
- Continuously promoting and communicating the importance of biodiversity on the Project and its conservation
- Overseeing habitat restoration and rehabilitation efforts during and after the construction activities
- Supporting local NGOs, and international organizations working in-country as required
Key Accountabilities
The primary focus of the role is to ensure the impacts on terrestrial flora and fauna and associated mitigation controls are managed and controlled by the Package team and the Contractors. The Biodiversity Specialist will be the main point of contact for the Package Team and Contractors on Biodiversity issues from the construction to the commissioning phase.
Requirements
- Minimum 7 years’ environment management experience working during the construction phase, preferably within the oil and gas industry; Strong ecological field management experience is a must
- Professional environmental qualification at Degree level minimum (e.g. Environmental Science, Conservation or Sustainable land management)
- Previous experience of working in a culturally diverse site with adverse and sensitive environmental conditions whilst ensuring that the Project personnel and Contractors adhere to the environmental regulations and Company requirements
- Proficiency in identifying and classifying terrestrial flora and fauna and associated habitats Identification of species is an advantage
- Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other mapping tools to analyse and present ecological data
- Strong skills in collecting, analyzing and interpreting ecological data
- Experience in developing and implementing biodiversity management plans and mitigation strategies
- Experience in reviewing Contractor environmental plans and related documents
- Ability to oversee habitat restoration and rehabilitation efforts during and after the construction activities
- Good knowledge of international legislation and standards related to Biodiversity specifically IFC standards Familiarity with the Regulatory Framework and Company referential framework (Rules, Specifications, Guides) is an advantage
- Experience in supervising Contractors to prevent and limit impacts on biodiversity during construction activities
- Good understanding of the construction activities associated with a Gas Processing Plant and pipeline installation
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for preparing reports, conducting training sessions, and engaging with stakeholders
- Be able to manage personnel with different cultural backgrounds
- Experience working with project teams local communities, NGOs/conservation organizations, and government agencies to promote biodiversity conservation
- Competent in quick and effective decision-making and responding to the needs of internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to proactively drive positive change and improvement initiatives
- Be a role model to establish effective team working and have experience as a trainer and mentor
- Highly proficient in spoken and written English Spoken and written Arabic is an advantage
- Excellent computer skills with proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
*Only applicants meeting the strict criteria outlined above will be contacted as part of the shortlisting process.