Biodiversity Specialist

Job Description - Biodiversity Specialist

Location: Uzbekistan 
Project: Kungrad PEF Project (EPC Contractor) 
Department: Environment & Social / E&S 
Reporting To: Senior E&S Manager

Role Overview

The Biodiversity Specialist will be responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring biodiversity management activities throughout the lifecycle of the Kungrad PEF Project. The role ensures that project activities comply with Uzbekistan environmental legislation, project permit conditions, and international environmental and social standards, while minimizing impacts on natural habitats, protected species, and ecosystem services.

The Biodiversity Specialist will support the implementation of the Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP), ecological monitoring programs, habitat restoration initiatives, and biodiversity mitigation measures during construction and commissioning activities.

Key Responsibilities

Biodiversity Planning & Management

• Implement the Project Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) and associated biodiversity commitments. 
• Integrate biodiversity considerations into construction planning, work methodologies, and environmental management processes. 
• Identify biodiversity risks associated with project activities and recommend practical mitigation measures. 
• Ensure compliance with biodiversity-related permit conditions and contractual environmental obligations. 

Ecological Surveys & Monitoring

• Conduct and coordinate baseline and periodic ecological surveys covering flora, fauna, habitats, and ecosystem services. 
• Monitor project impacts on terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity using approved monitoring protocols. 
• Maintain biodiversity monitoring databases, field records, and GIS information. 
• Analyze monitoring results and recommend corrective actions where required. 

Environmental Compliance

• Ensure project compliance with: 

• Uzbekistan environmental legislation 
• IFC Performance Standard 6 (Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources) 
• Equator Principles 
• EBRD Performance Requirements (where applicable) 
• Project Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) 
• Lender environmental requirements 

• Support environmental inspections, audits, and compliance reviews. 
• Assist in obtaining biodiversity-related permits and regulatory approvals where applicable. 

Mitigation, Restoration & Conservation

• Implement biodiversity mitigation hierarchy principles (Avoid – Minimize – Restore – Offset). 
• Supervise habitat restoration, vegetation rehabilitation, and erosion control activities. 
• Develop and monitor species protection measures for sensitive habitats and protected wildlife. 
• Support implementation of invasive species management and ecological restoration programs. 
• Monitor the effectiveness of biodiversity mitigation measures and recommend improvements. 

GIS, Data Management & Reporting

• Prepare biodiversity monitoring reports, ecological assessments, and technical documentation. 

• Utilize GIS and spatial mapping tools to support habitat assessments and biodiversity monitoring. 
• Maintain biodiversity performance indicators and environmental records. 
• Provide biodiversityinputsfor monthly, quarterly, and annual E&S reports. 

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with environmental authorities, local communities, conservation organizations, and academic institutions on biodiversity-related matters. 
• Support stakeholder consultations relating to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection. 
• Participate in environmental meetings with clients, lenders, and regulatory agencies. 

Training & Capacity Building

• Deliver biodiversity awareness training to EPC personnel, subcontractors, and site management. 
• Promote best practices in biodiversity conservation across all project activities. 
• Support integration of biodiversity requirements into contractor induction and environmental training programs. 

Incident Management & Continuous Improvement

• Investigate biodiversity-related incidents and environmental non-conformances. 
• Recommend corrective and preventive actions. 
• Identify opportunities to improve biodiversity performance and environmental sustainability throughout the project lifecycle. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, Natural Resource Management, ora relateddiscipline. 
• Professional certification in biodiversity conservation, ecology, GIS, or environmental management is an advantage. 

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in biodiversity management or ecological consulting on large infrastructure, energy, industrial, mining, or EPC projects. 
• Demonstrated experience implementing Biodiversity Management Plans on construction projects. 
• Experience conducting ecological surveys, habitat assessments, and biodiversity monitoring. 
• Experience working on internationally financed projects (IFC, EBRD, World Bank, ADB, or similar) is highly desirable. 
• Experience in arid and semi-arid ecosystems or Central Asian biodiversity is preferred. 

Technical Competencies

• Strong understanding of: 

• Biodiversity conservation principles 
• Ecological impact assessment 
• Habitat restoration techniques 
• Protected species management 
• Ecosystem services assessment 
• Biodiversity monitoring methodologies 

• Working knowledge of: 

• IFC Performance Standard 6 
• Equator Principles 
• IFC General EHS Guidelines 
• Uzbekistan environmental regulations 
• Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS) 

• Proficiency in GIS applications (ArcGIS or QGIS) and biodiversity monitoring tools. 
• Competence in data analysis, environmental reporting, and technical documentation. 

Behavioral Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 
• Excellent planning and organizational abilities. 
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills. 
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary EPC project teams. 
• High level of environmental ethics and commitment to sustainable development. 
• Strong fieldwork capabilities and willingness to work in remote project locations. 

Languages

• Fluency inEnglish(written and spoken) is essential.
• Knowledge ofRussianand/orUzbekis highly desirable.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Effective implementation of the Biodiversity Management Plan. 
• Compliance with biodiversity-related permit and lender requirements. 
• Completion of scheduled biodiversity monitoring activities. 
• Timely submission of biodiversity reports. 
• Zero major biodiversity-related regulatory non-compliances. 
• Successful implementation of habitat restoration and species protection measures. 
• Delivery of biodiversity training and awareness programs. 
• Effective stakeholder engagement on biodiversity matters.