Montreal, Canada
UNEP Montreal
Posting Title: Consultant – Support to the Development of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative Post-2020 Capacity-Building Action Plan
Department/Office: United Nations Environment Programme
Duty Station: MONTREAL
Posting Period: 07 October 2020 – 21 October 2020
Job Opening Number: 20-United Nations Environment Programme-142283-Consultant
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Result of Service
The consultant shall develop the following:
- Background analysis to support the development of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative Post-2020 Action Plan
Work Location
Remote – Home based
Expected duration
Four (4) months.
Duties and
Responsibilities
Organizational setting
The United Nations Environment Programme is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for ‘sustainable development’. The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature in Rio in 1992. The Convention has three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and is administered by United Nations Environment Programme. Its main tasks are to arrange for and service meetings of the Conference of the Parties, including preparation of pertinent documentation, operation of the central node of the clearing-house mechanism, liaison and coordination with other international bodies and processes and, in close collaboration with these partners, the provision of technical support for the effective implementation of the Convention.
The Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) (https://www.cbd.int/soi/) is a global capacity building partnership coordinated by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity focused on addressing the capacity needs of developing country Parties to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity. SOI has been operating under the framework of the SOI Action Plan 2015-2020. With the ending of the time period of the SOI Action Plan 2015-2020 and the development of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, a new action plan is needed to provide a framework for the future of SOI. This new Action Plan will be co-developed by the Secretariat and various SOI collaborators. An analysis is needed to provide substantive background on the global landscape of capacity building needs and opportunities for marine and coastal biodiversity to inform the development of the SOI Post-2020 Action Plan.
Duties and responsibilities
Under the general supervision of the Associate Programme Management Officer (Marine, Coastal and Island Biodiversity), Biodiversity Science, Policy and Governance Unit, Science, Society and Sustainable Futures Division, the consultant will produce a background analysis to support the process to develop the SOI Post-2020 Action Plan. This analysis shall, at a minimum, address the following elements:
- General review of capacity building needs related to marine, coastal and island biodiversity elements of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, in particular the needs of developing country Parties to implement the Framework.
- Analysis of the global landscape of capacity building initiatives and opportunities, including gaps as well as areas for improved synergy to address the capacity building needs associated with the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
- Recommendations for potential approaches for the Sustainable Ocean Initiative Post-2020 Action Plan.
Outputs – Tentative dates:
- Detailed outline of the analysis – 15 November 2020
- First draft of the analysis – 30 December 2020
- Final draft of the synthesis – 15 January 2021
Qualifications/special skills
Competencies
- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly. Interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; and uses time efficiently.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
- Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients’ and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.
Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree in marine ecology/biology, marine environmental science, environmental law/policy, or related fields is required.
Experience:
- Five years of work experience in the field of marine environmental science and/or management or related fields is required.
- Experience and/or knowledge in capacity building for environmental management is desirable.
- Knowledge and work experience relevant to areas of work under the Convention on Biological Diversity is desirable.
Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is desirable.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
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