Central Asia Consultant (Tajikistan and Kazakhstan) - Level C

Result of Service General - Contribution to VT and CAMCA workplans - Establishment of the agreement implementation plans with local partners, followed up by accurate reporting. - Monitoring of progress using indicators, based on the VT and CAMCA annual workplans; - Establishment of Collaboration between local partners in Tajikistan, as well as with other project partners. Vanishing Treasures: - Contribution and revision of the summary biodiversity report pertaining to snow leopard and prey populations, human-wildlife conflict, human land-use and climate, closely coordinating with implementing partners in Tajikistan (ANCOT) and other scientific experts in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. - Compiled information for the regional exchange workshop - Guidance to the Tajik partner to ensure long-term sustainability of implemented on-the-ground interventions in Tajikistan - Contribution to the conceptualization of the economic case studies business plans in Tajikistan. - Contribution to the Tajik partner’s preparation for the “Vanishing Treasures” programme partners meeting to be held in Uganda, June 2023); - Coordination of the compilation of information for the programme impact study (infographic report) from the Tajik partner - Establishment of updated national communication plan for 2023 (in alignment with the programme’s Communication Plan and Strategy) and other outreach, communication and awareness raising activities - Perform project findings integrated into relevant policies in Tajikistan, including contribution when necessary to conservation plans, EbA integration, advocacy work, etc. CAMCA: - Completion of the Species vulnerability assessments and associated data gathering in Tajikistan - Revision of relevant local (at pilot site level) and national-level landscape management plans and policy frameworks (plans/policies/strategies) for uptake of future policy recommendations for the selected target species completed. - Contribution to local partners in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan in drafting and updating the situation models following the Open Standards for Conservation guidelines - Provided input to and coordinated input from partners on selecting the climate change-informed wildlife management and ecosystem-based adaptation measures based on the situation model - Revision and provided recommendations for applying and implementing such measures within the country-specific context in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan - Provision of technical guidance for conducting wildlife survey in the pilot territories in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan to identify flagship species distribution - Contribution to the development of national communication plans in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan in collaboration with GRID Arendal. - Participation and contribution to the 2nd project partners meeting in Samarkand following the CAMCA project side event on CMS COP

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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.

UNEP’s “Vanishing Treasures” Programme Despite the growing evidence of species’ vulnerability to climate change, adaptation of wildlife to climate change still remains a gap. Therefore, UNEP’s “Vanishing Treasures” Programme supports climate change adaptation of vulnerable mountain species such as Royal Bengal tiger in the Hindu-Kush Himalayas (Bhutan), snow leopard in Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) and mountain gorilla in the Virunga region (Rwanda and Uganda). The Programme is funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and aims to generate maximum synergy between climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation by improving the adaptive capacity of mountain ecosystems while maintaining related ecosystem services, protecting mountain flagship species who are key to ecosystem functioning, and promoting alternative livelihoods for local communities.

UNEP´s Central Asian Mammals and Climate Adaptation project (CAMCA – funded by IKI) Migratory species in Central Asia are highly vulnerable to climate change. As a result of changing migration patterns, protected areas are rendered ineffective. Changes in the use of pastures (extension of grazing periods and shifting grazing areas to higher elevations) are expected to lead to increased human-wildlife conflicts. In order to increase the resilience of people and wildlife in Central Asia to climate change, UNEP, CMS (the Convention on Migratory Species) and the project partners will test ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) measures and climate change-informed wildlife management in a set of pilot sites. Given the focus on migratory species, a transboundary approach across the three target countries will be used. The implementation of pilot measures with economic potential and their integration into political framework documents is of particular importance. Comprehensive communication activities will communicate project results and measures to the public and to decision-makers.

Under the technical supervision of the Programme Management Officer (responsible manager of the “Vanishing Treasures” programme at UNEP Europe, Vienna Office – Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention (SCC) and in close cooperation with designated local UNEP representatives, national-level implementing partners, as well as key stakeholders such as Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP), the consultant will assist and support the Programme Management Officer in the implementation of the following tasks:

General - Attend and contribute to VT and CAMCA project coordination meetings on a needs basis, as indicated by the UNEP Associate Programme Management Officer - Contribute to developing annual workplans for VT and CAMCA - Monitoring of progress through coordinating compilation of information for tracking VT and CAMCA indicators. - Collaborate with local partners in Tajikistan to develop Implementation Plans and budgets for partner agreements, based on the annual workplan; - Collaborate with local partners in Tajikistan in timely and comprehensive reporting on implementing agreements, including financial reporting; - Coordinate collaboration between local partners in Tajikistan, - Coordinate collaboration between the Tajik partners and other project partners.

Vanishing Treasures - Contribute to and review the summary biodiversity report through participation in meetings and workshops pertaining to snow leopard and prey populations, human-wildlife conflict, human land-use and climate. - Contribute to compiling information for the regional exchange workshop; - Provide guidance and support to the Tajik partner to ensure long-term sustainability of implemented on-the-ground interventions in Tajikistan - Contribute to the conceptualization of the economic case studies and business plans in Tajikistan, including identifying and elaborating investment opportunities at pilot site level. - Contribute to the Tajik partner’s preparation for the “Vanishing Treasures” programme partners meeting to be held in Uganda, June 2023; - Collaborate with local partners for updating the national communication plan for 2023 (in alignment with the programme’s Communication Plan and Strategy) and other outreach, communication and awareness raising activities - Coordinate the compilation of information for the programme impact study (infographic report) from the Tajik partner - Collaborate with local partners to integrate project findings into the national snow leopard conservation plan and other policies in Tajikistan, including assistance when necessary to conservation plans, EbA integration, advocacy work, etc.

CAMCA - Coordinate data compilation and produce species vulnerability assessments in collaboration with WWF US and local partners; - Collaborate with local partners in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan in identifying relevant local (at pilot site level) and national-level landscape management plans and policy frameworks (plans/policies/strategies) for uptake of future policy recommendations for the selected target species. - Contribute with local partners in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan in drafting and updating the situation models following the Open Standards for Conservation guidelines - Provide input to and coordinate input from partners on selecting the climate change-informed wildlife management and ecosystem-based adaptation measures based on the situation model - Review and provide recommendations for applying and implementing such measures within the country-specific context - Provide technical guidance for conducting wildlife survey in the pilot territories in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan to identify flagship species distribution - Review and contribute to the design and tailoring of training material for awareness raising and capacity building events at regional, national and pilot site level; - Contribute to Help GRID Arendal in outlining the communication strategy and the development of the national level communication plans in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. - Participate and contribute to the 2nd project partners meeting in Samarkand following the CAMCA project side event on CMS COP

Qualifications/special skills An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in biological sciences, environmental sciences or a related field is required. A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience on biodiversity conservation in particular in mountain regions is required. Hands-on experience on species conservation and community work in Central Asia is required. Work experience within International Organizations is desirable. Relevant work experience in Central Asia, in particular Tajikistan and Kazakhstan is required.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

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.