COBSEA Strategic Directions Consultant

Result of Service The overall purpose of this consultancy is to develop a forward-looking COBSEA Strategic Directions 2023-2027.

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 Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

The Action Plan for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment and Coastal Areas of the East Asian Seas Region (the East Asian Seas Action Plan) was approved in 1981 and revised in 1994, stimulated by concerns about the effects and sources of marine pollution. The Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) was established in 1981 as the inter-governmental policy coordination and decision-making body for the Action Plan. Currently COBSEA consists of 9 member States - Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, People's Republic of China, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and its activities are overseen by the COBSEA Secretariat. COBSEA focuses on marine- and land-based pollution, coastal and marine habitat conservation, and management and response to coastal disasters through information management, national capacity building, addressing strategic and emerging issues and regional cooperation. COBSEA discharges its responsibilities through biennial Intergovernmental Meetings (IGM) of governments that participate in the action plan.

COBSEA’s programme of work are further supported by the Strategic Directions. COBSEA’s Strategic Directions 2018-2022, adopted by the Intergovernmental meeting in 2018, encompass focus on land-based pollution including marine litter and plastics and nutrients, marine and coastal planning and management, and governance. This has served as the guide that drives COBSEA’s efforts in the last five years. This underwent an evaluation during part 2 of COBSEA IGM 25 in October 2022. COBSEA now requires a new Strategic Directions for 2023-2027. Elements to guide the development of the new Strategic Directions 2023-2027 were also presented during the IGM in which the countries have agreed to continue its development through a consultative approach until the middle of 2023.

Additionally, COBSEA activities are guided by several global and regional strategies, including the UNEP Medium Term Strategy 2022-2025 which identified strategies to address the triple planetary crises -- tackling climate change, biodiversity and nature loss, and pollution and waste. COBSEA further aligns with the UNEP Regional Seas Strategic Directions 2022-2025 to achieve a diverse, resilient and pollution-free ocean that supports equitable sustainable livelihood. Finally, global targets that must be considered for COBSEA’s work include the climate agreements, the biodiversity targets such as the Sustainable Development Goals, Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, and the upcoming global agreement to end plastic pollution.

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the COBSEA Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The consultant will develop the COBSEA Strategic Directions 2023-2027, following the set of activities: 1. Initial Research and consultations on the Strategic Directions 1.1 Review Outcome of the IGM25 regarding the Strategic Directions; review all relevant UNEA resolutions, relevant global and regional targets and conventions 1.2 Online consultations with participating countries, stakeholders and relevant UNEP staff (survey, interviews, etc) 1.3 Develop the initial elements of the Strategic Directions

2. First Draft of the Strategic Directions 2.1 Present the initial elements of the new Strategic Directions at a regional webinar 2.2 Based on inputs of the COBSEA participating countries, develop the first draft of the Strategic Directions 2023-2027 2.3 Circulate the first draft to COBSEA participating countries for their review and further inputs

3. COBSEA Strategic Directions 2023-2027 3.1 Make a presentation during the In-person workshop on the COBSEA Strategic Directions 3.2 Finalization of the COBSEA Strategic Directions 2023-2027 3.3 Make a presentation during launch of the COBSEA Strategic Directions 2023-2027

Qualifications/special skills Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in environmental sciences, natural resource management or a related field is required. First level degree in environmental scientist natural resources management or related field with two qualifying years of experiences maybe excepted in lieu of the advance degree. A minimum of seven years experience in strategic planning and management, programme development and coordination, fund management and programming of coastal and marine environments including resource mobilization is required Knowledge and experience in monitoring and evaluation is desirable Work experience in preparing meeting reports and documents is required. Experience working in the East Asian Seas region and with Regional Seas programmes is desirable. Excellent analytical skills in ensuring drafted report findings and recommendations are regionally appropriate, relevant and actionable is required. Good written and oral communications skills are required. Working experience in a multicultural environment including United Nations would be an asset. Previous involvement in and knowledge of Regional Seas and/or COBSEA work is desirable.

Languages 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.