International/National Consultant on Marine Pollution Response and Hazardous Substances (SSAs)
Background:
Marine pollution caused by harmful liquid substances represents a critical environmental, economic, and public health challenge. With the increasing Kazakhstan’s reliance on maritime transportation and industrial activities, incidents involving hazardous spills in marine environments have become more frequent. In response to a request from the Ministry of Transport, the Office will support the conduction of a specialized two-day training course, which is both timely and essential to enhance national and regional capacities for mitigating the devastating effects of such pollution. This training course will equip participants with the knowledge and tools to effectively respond to incidents, limiting ecological damage and ensuring the restoration of affected areas. Representatives from the Ministry of Transport, the Maritime Administration, port authorities, the Ministry for Emergency Situations, and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources are anticipated to attend.
Objective of Assignment:
The Office will require the services of an international / national expert to conduct two-day seminar on Response and Mitigation of Marine Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances (Chemicals) under Annex II of the MARPOL Convention in Aktau.
Duration of Assignment:
The Consultant will be hired for 5 working days.
Tasks, Responsibilities and Deliverables:
Under the overall supervision of the Senior Economic and Environmental Officer, the successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:
1. Consultations with the Ministry of Transport to develop and finalize the seminar agenda.
Output to be achieved: Agenda developed in accordance with the Ministry of Transport’s request.
2. Development of seminar materials covering the following topics (the topics are preliminary, may be adjusted based on expert recommendations and requests from the state partners):
Module 1. Theoretical Foundations and International Standards:
Overview of MARPOL and Annex II: objectives, structure, key provisions
- Categories of noxious liquid substances
- Obligations of State Parties
- National implementation mechanisms
Types of chemical pollution and its impact on the marine environment
- Classification and physicochemical properties of substances
- Behavior in the marine environment
- Risk assessment
Notification and coordination mechanisms in case of emergency spills
- International alert system
- Role of port authorities, ship captains, coast guards, and environmental services, the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), and its subordinate agencies
- Examples and case studies
Tools and technologies for the cleanup of noxious liquid substance spills
- Absorbents, barriers, neutralizers
- Use of drones and IT technologies
- Consideration of meteorological and hydrological conditions
Module 2. Practical Skills, Simulation, and Coordination
Roles and responsibilities of government agencies within the national response system
- Function distribution
- Inter-agency coordination
- Legal aspects, including liability and accountability
Case study analysis of major incidents involving noxious liquid substances
- Review of mistakes and best practices
- Lessons for Kazakhstan
Table-top exercise
- Simulation of a chemical spill incident from a vessel
- Formation of a response command center
- Situation assessment, decision-making, and inter-agency coordination
- Final discussion of actions taken
Discussion of results, conclusions, and recommendations for improving the national response system
Разработка материалов для семинара на следующие темы (темы являются предварительными и могут быть скорректированы на основе рекомендаций эксперта и запросов государственных партнеров):
Блок 1. Теоретические основы и международные стандарты:
Обзор МАРПОЛ и Приложения II: цели, структура, ключевые положения:
- Категории вредных жидких веществ
- Обязательства государств-участников
- Национальные имплементационные механизмы
Типы химических загрязнений и их воздействие на морскую среду
- Классификация и физико-химические свойства веществ
- Поведение в морской среде
- Оценка рисков
Механизмы уведомления и координации при аварийных разливах
- Международная система оповещения
- Роль портовых властей, капитанов судов, береговой охраны и экологических служб, МЧС и подведомственных организаций
- Примеры и кейсы
Средства и технологии ликвидации разливов вредных жидких веществ
- Абсорбенты, барьеры, нейтрализаторы
- Использование дронов и ИТ-технологий
- Учет метео- и гидрологических условий
Блок 2. Практические навыки, моделирование и взаимодействие
Роли и обязанности государственных органов в рамках национальной системы реагирования
- Распределение функций
- Межведомственная координация
- Юридические аспекты, включая ответственность и отчетность
Анализ кейсов крупных инцидентов с вредными жидкими веществами
- Разбор ошибок и лучших практик
- Уроки для Казахстана
Настольное учение (Table-top exercise)
- Моделирование инцидента разлива химических веществ с судна
- Формирование штаба реагирования
- Оценка ситуации, принятие решений, взаимодействие ведомств
- Итоговое обсуждение действий
Обсуждение результатов, выводы, рекомендации по улучшению национальной системы реагирования.
Output to be achieved: Presentations on the mentioned topics are developed
Презентационные материалы семинара
3. Delivery of the seminar.
Output to be achieved: The seminar is conducted
4. Preparation of an analytical report for the Office and the Ministry of Transport, summarizing seminar outcomes and providing recommendations for future capacity-building initiatives.
Output to be achieved: Brief final report summarizing the seminar outcomes, with proposed new topics for future seminars.
Necessary Qualifications:
- Recognized University degree in marine environmental protection, maritime law, chemical sciences, environmental engineering, environmental or natural sciences, or related fields.
- At least 7 years of proven practical experience in the prevention and response to marine pollution, including noxious liquid substances or related areas.
- In-depth understanding of international standards, regulatory frameworks, and best practices in marine pollution prevention and response, with specific expertise in MARPOL Annex II and other relevant IMO conventions.
- Demonstrated experience in delivering seminars, training programs, or workshops for technical and policy-oriented audiences as well as preparing presentation and methodological materials
- Previous work with international organizations, governmental institutions, or research centers is desirable;
- Strong presentation, facilitation, and interpersonal skills to engage diverse participants effectively;
- Fluency in Russian is desirable.
- Высшее образование в области охраны морской среды, морского права, химических наук, экологической инженерии, экологических или естественных наук, или в смежных областях.
- Практический опыт работы (не менее 7 лет) в области предотвращения и ликвидации морских загрязнений, включая вредные жидкие вещества или смежных областях;
- Понимание международных стандартов, нормативных рамок и передовой практики в области предотвращения и ликвидации морских загрязнений, включая Приложение II к МАРПОЛ и другие соответствующие конвенции ИМО.
- Опыт проведения образовательных мероприятий, тренингов или семинаров, а также подготовки презентационных и методических материалов.
- Желателен опыт работы с международными организациями, правительственными учреждениями или исследовательскими центрами;
- Сильные навыки презентации, фасилитации и межличностного общения для эффективного вовлечения различных участников.
Remuneration Package:
Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant's/expert's qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.
If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.
The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.
Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.
The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.
Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.
Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.