Technical Officer - Mining and Reclamation

Background

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

Guyana is endowed with abundant mineral wealth. Since the 1990s, gold mining has emerged as one of the most important drivers of the economy, operating at different production scales. Gold mines differ in terms of the technology used; compliance with environmental and safety standards; formal declaration of production, trade, and royalty payments; alongside downstream multiplier effects through the range of secondary employment benefits the sector creates. While larger-scale, more conventional gold mining has expanded since 2015, the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector has supported livelihoods for over 100 years and remains the largest source of employment for hinterland regions[1]. Despite significant economic benefits for miners, their communities, and the Guyanese economy, where ASG accounts for nearly 70% of annual production, the sector relies on mercury to process whole or concentrated ores, leading to widespread pollution hazards presenting risks to human and ecosystem health. Although small-scale gold mining is legally recognized, lack of geologic information, insecure land tenure, and conflicts with claim holders create a highly mobile workforce that presents serious environmental, social, occupational safety and health (OSH), and public health risks due to persistent shortfalls in financial, technical, and human capital. 

Guyana hosts incredible biodiversity with over 8000 species of flora and roughly 1800 species of fauna, some of which are endemic to the Guiana Shield. Guyana forest ecosystems and biodiversity are key factors that support community-based livelihoods. Recognizing the socio-economic and cultural significance of biodiversity, Guyana has taken steps to protect and conserve these vital assets through policies, programs, and projects in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB), Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna, and Flora (CITES), and Ramsar Convention on the protection of Wetlands. 

Despite the importance of small-scale gold mining for Guyana’s economy, the sector often operates on margins of the formal economy in remote areas with limited governance, leaving miners susceptible to labour rights abuses and hazardous working conditions, including exposure to harmful chemicals, including mercury and the emerging threat of cyanide[2]. Informal, ASGM operations drive degradation, deforestation, habit fragmentation, chemical pollution, and turbidity of waterways leading to biodiversity loss. Uncontrolled deforestation, land clearing, and topsoil removal impact carbon storage, soil erosion, bank stability, and weathering process, with cascading impacts on water quality, aquatic habitats, forest regeneration, and ecosystem resilience. 

The Government of Guyana recognizes that a long-term solution to address these challenges is required, including more robust policies, regulations, and financial instruments to encourage responsible practices across the mine life cycle, toward safe, post-mining land use and site relinquishment and introduce new bond mechanisms to facilitate reclamation to stable, non-polluting landforms. In addition, revision of penalties and positive incentives to encourage behavior change is needed, combined with the necessary capacity and inter-institutional coordination and continuous monitoring of the impacts of the sector. 

In support of its ambition, the Government of Guyana, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has entered a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to implement the Project “Strengthening the enabling framework for biodiversity mainstreaming and mercury reduction in small-scale gold mining operations”, hereinafter referred to as “The MBIM Project.”  This 7-year MBIM Project (2021-2028) aims to strengthen the regulatory framework and institutional capacity for managing small-scale gold mining and promote greater adoption of environmentally responsible mining techniques to protect globally significant biodiversity, reduce mercury contamination, and enhance local livelihoods and human health.

The project has been organized into four outcomes: 1) Policy and regulatory framework strengthened and supported for oversight of the environmental impacts of the small -scale gold mining sector; 2) Increased institutional capacity and inter-institutional coordination to mitigate and manage the impacts of small -scale gold- mining; 3) Adoption of more environmentally responsible gold mining practices increased; and 4) Knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation implemented to support learning and upscaling. It is expected to deliver benefits to the mining stakeholders both governmental and non-governmental alike. 

Under Outcome 3 the project is seeking the services of a Technical Officer – Mining and Reclamation who will execute extension and demonstration work regarding mining and reclamation in the project intervention areas. 

[1] National Action Plan (NAP) on ASGM. (2021). Environmental Protection Agency of Guyana. Available online here. 

[2] Gold cyanidation is a hydrometallurgical technique for extracting gold from low-grade ore by converting the gold to a water-soluble coordination complex. While cyanidation can be conducted safely and without harm to the environment if conducted with safeguards, in practice, the process also presents considerable safety and environmental risks to workers, communities and the environment (i.e., Omai gold Mine in Guyana in 1995) and is growing threat for hinterland areas. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Strengthening the enabling framework for biodiversity mainstreaming and mercury reduction in small-scale gold mining operations Project Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for the following key tasks:

4. Support

Support the implementation of stakeholder engagement mechanisms as foreseen in the Stakeholder Engagement Plan. Support the implementation of gender mainstreaming in project activities as foreseen in the Gender Action Plan.  Support the Stakeholder and Communication Specialist in the implementation of the Information and Communication Plan. Liaise and follow up with responsible parties for the implementation of project activities related to mining and reclamation.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

For the duration of this post, the Technical Officer – Mining and Reclamation will be stationed at the PMU which is housed within the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) with frequent stints to the project sites in the intervention areas. The incumbent will spend a significant amount of work time in the project’s intervention areas. The incumbent will report to the Project Manager of the MBIM Project. The Project Manager will be the contract administrator and will supervise the activities and evaluate his/her performance.

Competencies Core Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements  Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible  Act with Determination:   LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies   Thematic Area Name Definition Business Management  Communication

Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels. Business Direction and strategy Strategic Thinking Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight. Business Direction and Strategy Effective Decision Making Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications. Business Development Knowledge Generation Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. Business Development Knowledge Facilitation Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange. 2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness Nature   Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme: Sustainable Land Management and Restoration (outside Conservation/Protected Areas and Systems) 2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness Nature   Environmental Governance: Multilateral Environmental Agreements (e.g. CBD, UNCCD and Minamata)

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Mining Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering Mineral Exploration and processing, Mineral Technology or related technical field is required, or A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. Additional specialization in issues of environmentally responsible mining, or related field will be an advantage.

Experience:

Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.  Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, and/or hands-on experience in mining particularly mine exploration and mineral processing from feed preparation, classification, and final concentration. Extensive working experience in the Guyana’s gold mining sector, both large- and small-scale operations, desirable.

Required skills:

Knowledge and experience in environmentally responsible mining techniques/ technologies, mining circuit setup, mine management, tailings management, mine safety, and mine reclamation.

Desired skills>

In field teaching/ training experience in modern learner-centered teaching strategies is highly desirable. Experience in diagnosing and addressing miners operational issues and to improve the effectiveness of their mining operations. Experience in coordination of the implementation of technical activities in partnership with a variety of national and regional/local stakeholder groups, indigenous peoples, including government, community, private sector, and CSOs. Understanding of budgeting, work plans development and scheduling.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Required language:

Fluency in English language 

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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