[Coral-List] Fw: Marshall Islands Seeks Coastal Environmental Advisor

[Jon Corsiglia]

Deborah Barker-Manase, General Manager of the Marshall Islands 
Environmental Protection Authority, is seeking a Coastal Environmental 
Advisor to serve with the RMI EPA for a minimum of 2 years. The 
successful candidate will be experienced in environmental management in 
coastal areas, be certified a SCUBA diver, have an MS or PhD, and a 
scientific understanding of tropical marine ecosystems. A more detailed 
description of job duties and qualifications is attached below.

People interested in more information or submitting applications should 
contact Deborah directly.

Deborah Barker-Manase
General Manager
RMI Environmental Protection Authority
P.O Box 1322 Majuro Marshall Islands 96960
cell 692 455 3329 (debz) office 692 625 3035/5203
email: _deb.manase at gmail.com_ <mailto:deb.manase at gmail.com>


*_Job Description_*



*_Position Title:_ *Coastal Environmental Advisor

*_Location:_ *Majuro, Marshall Islands

*_Effective Date:_* October 1, 2011 (Duration of 2 years with a 
possibility of extension)


*_General Objective of Post:_*
To provide general scientific and technical advice on the range of 
technical issues related to environmental including managing the overall 
operation of the Coastal and Land Management Division of the National 
Environmental Protection Authority ("RMIEPA").

*_Specific Duties and Responsibilities:_*
1.        Supervises surveying and characterizing the coastal zones of 
the Republic of the Marshall Islands;
2.        Review of, and advises on developmental activities and projects;
3.        Ensure the Costal Management Framework and regulations under 
the Costal and Land Management Division are being implemented and or 
provide advice to EPA Management of needing of amendments if needed;
4.        Ensuring land developers and construction firms, and the 
Government conduct and develop impact statement, by providing them with 
detailed structure processes;
5.        Provide training opportunity to potential proponents and EPA 
staff on impact statements and assessments;
6.        Develop a detail process to assist EPA in the assessment of 
impact statement and develop an agency structure in line with relevant 
legislation (i.e. the Costal Conservation Act).
7.        Provide awareness materials and information to the Education 
Awareness & Information Division on current developments, assessment 
materials and information, related information on coastal management and 
erosion, and environmental impact assessments.
8.        Provide technical assistance and advice to other departments 
within the RMIEPA on other environmental related issues such as: water 
quality, environmental health, solid & hazardous waste and etc.
9.        Carry out strategic planning and program planning in 
conjunction with the Costal Management Framework, EIA Regulation, 
Sustainable Regulations and other related matters within scope of work 
of the RMIEPA
10.        Coordinate GIS data collection and database development. For 
utilization in coastal and environmental management;
11.        Build capacity of the staff in the Costal & Land Management 
Division to continue the implementation of the RMI Coastal Management 
National Framework;
12.        Provide general scientific and technical advice on the range 
of technical issues that the EPA faces over the course of a year;
13.        In cooperation with a local counter-part, coordinate and 
evaluate Environmental Impact Assessments for major infrastructure 
projects;
14.        Conduct technical audit of currently unpermitted industrial 
activity on island and incorporate into EPA permitting system including: 
Power Plant, Coconut Processing Plant, Tuna Loining Plant, Sewer 
Outfall, Dry-dock(s), Waste Dumps, etc.; and
15.        Perform other duties that may be assigned by the General 
Manager and/or the Board of Directors.

*_Reports to:_*
General Manager

*_Salary Level:_*
Salary commensurate with experience, housing will be provided for 
non-Marshallese hired from overseas

*_Qualifications:_*
· Master's Degree, preferably Ph.D in Environmental Science, 
Engineering, Management, Policy, or similar;
· Minimum 3 years international experience;
· 5 Years experience with Environmental or Coastal Management;
· Experience coordinating Environmental Impact Assessments;
· Scientific understanding of tropical marine ecosystems;
· Certified SCUBA diver with research diving experience;
· Experience with broad environmental issues and management is highly 
desirable;
· Ability to live and work in a foreign country for a minimum of 2 
years; and
· Demonstrated understanding of the issues and needs of a developing 
country.
· Coastal/Environmental Engineering knowledge and at least 2 years 
experience

Background : While the majority of the over 30 islands and atolls of the 
Marshall Islands are in pristine condition, the urban environment of the 
atoll nation is severely degraded due to a range of issues including 
overpopulation, intensive infrastructure development, historic lack of 
environmental oversight, and its naturally vulnerable character. Foreign 
assistance arrives to the country in great amounts for infrastructure 
development, including airports, seaports, coastal dredging, reclamation 
and a variety of other projects. The Agency involved in ensuring the 
environment is protected, the RMI Environmental Protection Authority, 
does not currently have the technical capacity or experience to handle 
the range of development activities. Assistance is sought for a Coastal 
Environmental Advisor for a range of duties that continue a capacity 
building process at the organization to build its self-reliance.

Recently, a national coastal management framework for action has been 
adopted to deal with a range of coastal environment issues. This program 
includes full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for development 
projects, development of a Geographic Information System (GIS) for 
land-use planning, project management, conservation, and development of 
strategic steps of coastal management including: solid waste, dredging, 
marine water quality and coastal construction.

A suitable candidate will be experienced in environmental management in 
coastal areas, preferably small island states, or tropical ecosystems.. 
Flexibility and creativity in the workplace are extremely important to 
facilitate the implementation of unique island solutions for unique 
atoll problems. Located in the capital of the Marshall Islands, Majuro 
Atoll, the EPA consists of nearly 20 staff members on three urban 
centers (Majuro, Ebeye and Jaluit Atolls.) Majuro Atoll is populated by 
roughly 30,000 people on a 30 mile extremely narrow reef rim. Management 
activities are prioritized in these urban centers and outerislands. Some 
travel to outer islands is expected, as well as some international travel.