IMO Technical Consultant Vacancy 2026: Marine Pollution Preparedness Expert Supporting Ukraine’s National Response Systems
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced a high-level consultancy opportunity within its Technical Cooperation and Implementation Division. The role is designed to strengthen national capacity in marine pollution preparedness and response, with a specific focus on supporting Ukraine in developing a robust National Contingency Plan (NCP). The assignment is home-based with field engagement and is structured as a 60-day consultancy remunerated at US$500 per day.\\
This opportunity is aimed at senior maritime professionals with extensive experience in oil spill response, environmental protection, and contingency planning.
Strategic Purpose of the Consultancy Assignment
The consultancy is embedded in IMO’s broader mandate to enhance global maritime safety and environmental protection. The consultant will contribute to strengthening Ukraine’s national systems for responding to marine pollution incidents, particularly oil spills and hazardous substances.
Key objectives of the assignment include:
- Supporting the development of a functional National Contingency Plan (NCP)
- Enhancing coordination between national public and private sector stakeholders
- Strengthening preparedness for Tiered marine pollution response systems
- Aligning national frameworks with international maritime conventions
The work is closely aligned with global standards established under the OPRC Convention and the OPRC-HNS Protocol, which guide international cooperation in marine pollution emergencies.
Core Responsibilities of the Consultant
The consultant is expected to play a leading technical and facilitation role throughout the assignment. Responsibilities are highly interactive and involve both workshop delivery and technical advisory functions.
Key duties include:
- Attending and facilitating the project inception workshop in Ukraine
- Designing and delivering tailored training materials, presentations, and exercises
- Leading capacity-building workshops focused on marine spill response systems
- Providing technical input on national incident response frameworks
During workshops, the consultant will focus on:
- Defining roles and responsibilities of national response agencies
- Reviewing and improving communication, command, and control procedures
- Strengthening incident notification and escalation systems
- Identifying national equipment stockpiles for offshore and shoreline response
- Conducting risk assessments and tiered preparedness planning
The consultant is also expected to provide continuous feedback to participants to support learning outcomes and ensure practical application of knowledge.
Advisory and Technical Support Functions
Beyond workshop facilitation, the consultant will support national stakeholders in developing the foundational structure of the National Contingency Plan. This includes both strategic advisory input and hands-on technical guidance.
Key advisory functions include:
- Supporting drafting processes for the National Contingency Plan (NCP)
- Developing a structured NCP framework based on workshop discussions
- Participating in follow-up meetings with national authorities
- Providing technical recommendations for improving response readiness
The consultant will also establish clear next steps, including timelines and priority actions required to finalize the NCP and strengthen national preparedness systems.
Reporting, Monitoring, and Deliverables
The consultancy requires strong reporting and documentation capabilities. The consultant is expected to maintain regular communication with IMO project staff and ensure that all progress is clearly documented.
Deliverables include:
- Regular progress updates on implementation activities
- Documentation of challenges and technical gaps identified during workshops
- Final mission report summarizing outcomes, recommendations, and next steps
The final report is expected to provide actionable guidance for continued development of Ukraine’s marine pollution preparedness framework.
Required Competencies and Professional Profile
The ideal candidate is a highly experienced maritime environmental specialist with deep technical knowledge and strong facilitation skills. The role demands both strategic thinking and practical implementation capability.
Essential competencies include:
- In-depth understanding of IMO regulations on marine pollution response
- Strong expertise in developing National Contingency Plans (NCPs)
- Advanced communication and technical writing skills
- Ability to deliver complex training in clear, structured formats
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
Additional required skills:
- High attention to detail and accuracy in technical outputs
- Ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder activities
- Experience working in international and cross-cultural environments
- Strong time management and adaptability under pressure
The consultant must also demonstrate advanced IT proficiency, particularly in MS Office tools, for the preparation of reports and training materials.
Experience, Education, and Language Requirements
The consultancy requires a senior-level professional background.
Minimum requirements include:
- At least 10 years of progressive experience in marine pollution response or environmental protection
- Demonstrated expertise in oil spill contingency planning or maritime emergency response systems
- Advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in marine sciences, environmental science, maritime engineering, maritime law, or related disciplines
Language requirements:
- Excellent proficiency in English (written and spoken)
- Working knowledge of Ukrainian or another UN language is considered an advantage
Conclusion: Strengthening Global Marine Protection Systems
This consultancy represents a critical contribution to international maritime safety and environmental resilience. Through the leadership of the International Maritime Organization, the role directly supports the enhancement of national preparedness systems in high-risk marine environments.
By strengthening Ukraine’s capacity to respond effectively to marine pollution incidents, the consultancy reinforces global commitments to environmental protection, operational readiness, and international cooperation. The assignment is both technically demanding and strategically significant, requiring a professional capable of bridging policy, training, and operational implementation in complex maritime contexts.
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