Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Geoinformatics Consultant for the Climate Change and Sustainability Division in Barbados (CCS/CBA)
Background of this search:
The IADB Climate Change Division seeks a Marine Spatial Planning Geoinformatics Consultant with experience and expertise in project management, Geographic information systems, conservation planning in coastal and marine ecosystems, and in Marine Protected Areas (MPA).
As a vocal and committed country in the climate change arena, Barbados strives to bring the need for vulnerable small island developing state (SIDS) to be at the center stage of international negotiations. The Government of Barbados (GoB) ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1994 and ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016. In July 2021, presented its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) which significantly increased the ambition, including the aspirational goal to achieve a fossil-fuel-free economy and to reduce GHG emissions across all sectors to as close to zero as possible by 2030, specifically aiming for a 70% reduction in GHG emissions, economy-wide, by 2030. The NDC presents a programmatic approach to adaptation and resilience set by its Roofs to Reefs Program (R2RP), which is a holistic, integrated public investment program founded on principles of sustainable development and climate change resilience. R2RP seeks to improve the standard of living and quality of life of the most vulnerable segments of the population of Barbados, by improving social well-being of individuals and communities and significantly reducing the damage to property, loss of life, and the costs incurred after a severe weather event, in key sectors such as: shelter, water, energy, waste, land use and ecosystems. On the latter, the government will assess social and gender impacts, and changes in vulnerability to enable an assessment of ecosystem-adaptation based methodologies and cost recovery models.
Barbados has an ambitious National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to meet its commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity, revised in 2020 with targets for 2035. Several NBSAP targets are directly related to marine conservation, including target 3: By 2035, the rate of loss of all of Barbados’ natural habitats, including forests, will be decreased; target 4: By 2030, areas under agriculture, aquaculture and forestry are managed sustainably, ensuring conservation of biodiversity; target 5: By 2030, pollution, including from excess nutrients, has been brought to levels that are not detrimental to ecosystem function and biodiversity; target 7: By 2030, sources of endogenous anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs (e.g. excess nutrients, anchor damage, overfishing inter alia) are identified and effects minimized to maintain the integrity and functioning of coral reefs; target 8: By 2030, at least 17% of terrestrial and inland water, and 10% of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are designated within connected systems of protected areas, and plans for effective area-based conservation measures are being developed; target 9: By 2030, pressures on known threatened species have been identified and mitigated, and conservation status has been improved; and, target 12: By 2025, at the latest, financial resources to conduct projects and research in the area of biodiversity should increase substantially. In 2022 the Convention on Biological Diversity will meet to set new international targets in a Global Biodiversity Framework at Biodiversity COP 15 in Kunming, China. It is expected that issues related to natural capital finance and conservation will be at the forefront.
Since 2018, Barbados has also been carrying out an ambitious fiscal consolidation plan, the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation plan (BERT) supported by the IMF under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The country has been facing years of slow growth and recurring fiscal deficits that fueled a debt-to-GDP level growth, a context that has also been depressed by the pandemic, a category 1 hurricane (Elsa), the ashes from the St Lucy volcano. Nonetheless, the IMF has recognized positive signs of recovery through the increase of tourism, expansion of social protection investment, plans to recapitalize the Central Bank of Barbados and commitments to address medium and long-term challenges for the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). Most importantly, the recent global SDR allocation (August 2021), included an allocation of US$129 million to Barbados which represented an increase of international reserves to more than US$1.4 billion.
Finally, the mitigation measures for an energy transition are aligned to the fiscal consolidation program. Barbados is greatly reliant on fossil fuel imports which represent 24.1 percent imports. A challenge the GoB has identified and is setting the basis under its National Energy Policy (BNEP) 2019-2030 (Ministry of Energy, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 2019), to achieve 100 percent renewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2030 and through the R2RP, which seeks to develop protocols and standards for rooftop solar PV installation will be developed and will include energy storage options. Collection of data will include energy storage. Nonetheless, taxes on fossil fuels currently compose 2.33 percent of GDP, and therefore any reform will require the identification of additional sources of revenue.
In this context, Barbados has been paving the way for a sustainable development, creating the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy (MMABE) in 2018 to underline that it recognizes the importance of blue economy in its GDP figures (tourism activities, fishing, and seaport services), and the need to foster the value of natural assets which remain underdeveloped and require adequate exploitation. The IDB seeks to pursue its support by the provision of a guarantee that will enable the emission of sustainable bonds for sustainability objectives to improve the country’s debt management.
For this purpose, supporting Barbados in the structuring of a debt-for-SDGs, or debt-for nature, is considered as the option to convert debt into a trust fund that will allow to enhance sustainability policies or projects in while freeing up resources. Nonetheless, these mechanisms require concerted efforts from various actors in the government and specific assessments to ensure their viability and successful implementation, such as robust pre-feasibility studies, strong fiscal capacity, commitment to transparency and international credibility of the domestic spending and expenditure programme that is attractive to the whole government.
The team’s mission:
The Climate Change and Sustainable Development Sector (CSD) of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) advises the Bank’s Management on climate change mitigation and adaptation issues and develops overall Bank’s policies, strategies, operational guidelines, and programs in these areas. It is also responsible for conducting relevant sector research, analytical work, best sector practices, and case studies on climate change and sustainability. The Climate Change Division (CCS) provides support to the operations of the IDB group in renewable energy and energy efficiency, biofuels, climate change mitigation and adaptation in IDB beneficiary countries.
What you’ll do:
The consultancy supports the Coastal Zone Management unit (CMZU) within the Ministry of Environment and Natural Beautification (MENB) in the management of spatial data analysis and planning related to the Barbados Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process.
The consultant will specifically respond to the following needs:
1. Inception Report, including a Workplan and:
- A document the development and application of GIS tools, including the management and reporting on funds granted to the activities related to the MSP and BESF activities.
- The inception report will be developed after meeting with IDB and CZMU counterparts, as well as other stakeholders from MENB and partner entities.
- The consultant is expected to submit its first draft two weeks after starting the position. It will include a detailed set of reports and timeline for submission.
2. Carry out a SWOT analysis to assess the existing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, methods, and results produced within the CZMU and identify information gaps and opportunities to strengthen technical capacities.
3. After two months in the position, the consultant will draft and submit recommendations for improving the GIS system currently in use, including:
- Strengths and limitations of operation platforms.
- Database design and management.
- Hardware infrastructure and recommendations for the purchase of appropriate equipment.
- Data security.
- Levels and procedures to guide access and data selection standards.
- Including recommendations to improve and expand the use of the CZMU GIS system to capture and enhance visual interpretations of existing and new data and information being collected by the Unit.
4. Process, analysis, and interpretation of existing data such as:
- Data captured by stakeholders and citizen scientists in the coastal and marine environment.
- New data to be used in the development of the MSP mapping process.
5. Metadata processing, evaluation, and data set creation:
- Create metadata in a standardized format associated with other collected data.
- Establish a metadata recording format for future activities within the CZMU GIS structure and the creation of a metadata directory.
- Present geospatial data in formats such as 3D models using the latest geographic information systems (GIS) and computer-aided drafting (CAD) software.
6. Conduct a minimum of three training sessions with the CZMU and partners around GIS-specific topics identified and prioritized by the CZMU.
7. Create a GIS application training manual for frequently used analyses to be determined by CZMU. This is to be a living document with opportunity for new module inclusion as the need arises over the course of the project life.
8. Any other related duties as directed by the CZMU Director.
9. Provide quarterly updates on GIS implementation and contribution to the MSP process and document including relevant maps and other products generated during the period. Support the CZMU to develop and maintain partner institution relationships and document these opportunities in reports on the MSP process.
10. The activities above will all require the development of specific reports, and their submission will be reviewed and revised. It will include the following: i) SWOT Analysis of the existing GIS of the CZMU, ii) Recommendations for improving the GIS, iii) Report on the processing, analysis, and interpretation of existing data, including data captured by stakeholders and citizen scientists in the coastal and marine environment, new data to be used in the development of the MSP mapping process, iv) Report on Metadata processing, evaluation and data set creation, including standardization of metadata and establishment of metadata recording format for future activities within the CZMU GIS structure and the creation of a metadata directory, v) Report presenting geospatial data in formats such as 3D models using the latest geographic information systems (GIS) and computer-aided drafting (CAD) software, vi) Report and devlivery of 3 training sessions for the CZMU and partners, vii) creation of a GIS application training manual for frequently used analyses to be determined by CZMU (this is to be a living document with opportunity for new module inclusion as the need arises over the course of the project life.
11. The consultant will submit quarterly reports of his work and will detail his achievements under the implementation and progress of the GIS.
What you’ll need:
- Citizenship: You are either a citizen of Barbados or a citizen of one of our 48-member countries with residency or legal permit to work in Barbados.
- Consanguinity: You have no family members (up to fourth degree of consanguinity and second degree of affinity, including spouse) working at the IDB Group.
- Education: A Master’s Degree in Geospatial Analytics, GIS, or Geomatics, or similar discipline with demonstrated concentrations in geospatial and remote sensing data analysis.
- Experience: At least 5 (five) years of experience working with GIS software and technology, with some demonstrated applications to marine conservation.
- Languages: Fluent English (verbal/written) with excellent communication and presentation skills.
Core and Technical Competencies:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong practical and technical experience in using and developing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is essential, specifically ESRI products such as ArcView and / or ArcInfo, CartoDB, Mapbox, and OpenStreetMap.
- Experience managing data collection, entry, and maintenance.
- Experience with a range of relevant technologies: Client/server hardware and software; input/output technology, digitizing equipment; internet services and related technologies.
- Experience in communicating and collaborating with management agencies, academic institutions, and local, national, and regional stakeholders in Barbados to achieve agreed collective outcomes.
- Knowledge of development and environment issues and complexities as they relate to the Barbados MPA management.
- Capacity to interact effectively with a wide range of people at different levels including donors, the private sector, NGOs, and government officials.
Opportunity Summary:
- Type of contract: National Consultant (Local Remote Modality CNS).
- Length of contract: 12 months.
- Location: Consultant´s residence in Barbados.
- Responsible person: Sector Senior Specialist.
- Requirements:You must be a citizen of one of the IDB’s 48 member countries and have no family members currently working at the IDB Group.
- Local Remote Modality: Please note that the candidate selected for this opportunity will be hired to provide services remotely in their country of citizenship or permanent residency and where the Bank has its offices, for the entirety of the contract. The selected candidate will not provide services from the Bank’s office and will not be provided a physical space in the premises of the Bank’s Country Office. The candidate selected will be responsible for setting up the space, and for having the equipment, internet, and phone accesses to accomplish these TORs, outside the Bank’s office. Access to the Bank’s systems will be arranged in coordination with the Bank.
Our culture: Our people are committed and passionate about improving lives in Latin-America and the Caribbean, and they get to do what they love in a diverse, collaborative, and stimulating work environment. We are the first Latin American and Caribbean development institution to be awarded the EDGE certification, recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality. As an employee you can be part of internal resource groups that connect our diverse community around common interests. Because we are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace diversity based on gender, age, education, national origin, ethnic origin, race, disability, sexual orientation, and religion. We encourage women, Afro-descendants, and persons of indigenous origins to apply.
About us: At the IDB, we are committed to improving lives. Since 1959, we have been a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. We do more than lending though. We partner with our 48-member countries to provide Latin America and the Caribbean with cutting-edge research about relevant development issues, policy advice to inform their decisions, and technical assistance to improve on the planning and execution of projects. For this, we need people who not only have the right skills, but also are passionate about improving lives.
COVID-19 considerations: The health and safety of our employees are our number one priority. As a condition of employment, IDB/IDB Invest requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.
Additional Information
- External Opening Date: Jan 23, 2023
- External Closing Date: Feb 6, 2023
- External Contact Email: hrsc@iadb.org
- External Contact Name: HR Service Center
- Job Field: Technical Support
