Consultant - Biosafety Mainstreaming

Result of Service The consultant will prepare a comprehensive study on mainstreaming the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in sectoral and cross-sectoral legislation relevant to the food and agriculture sector addressing among others the following aspects: - general introduction to biosafety, biotechnology applications, implementation of biosafety measures, biosafety mainstreaming; - the international legal framework; - national implementation and mainstreaming biosafety in sectoral and cross-sectoral legal, policy and institutional frameworks; and - example clauses.

Work Location Remote - Home based

Expected duration Seven 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 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 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is a complementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity. It aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health.

Biosafety is of crucial importance for food and agriculture, given the uptake of many biotechnology applications in this sector. As shown in the fourth assessment and review of the effectiveness of the Protocol and the final evaluation of the Strategic Plan for the Cartagena Protocol (decision CP-10/7), only about half of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol have fully taken the legal, administrative and other measures to implement the Protocol. The Implementation Plan for the Cartagena Protocol, adopted in decision CP-10/3, includes objectives for Parties to adopt and implement legal, administrative and other measures to fulfil their obligations under the Protocol and for Parties to facilitate sectoral and cross-sectoral coordination and cooperation at the national level to mainstream biosafety. Target 17 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework also calls for establishing, strengthening capacity for and implementing biosafety measures as set out in Article 8(g) of the Convention in all countries.

Through this intervention, the Secretariat will prepare a study providing examples and analysis of ways in which biosafety measures can be implemented in national legislation relevant for the food and agriculture sector.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Unit, Biosafety, the general guidance of the Legal Officer, and the direct supervision of the Legal Officer, Cartagena Protocol, the Consultant will provide the needed expertise to develop a legislative study on integrating biosafety measures and the obligations of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety into national sectoral and cross-sectoral legislation with relevance for the food and agriculture.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will carry out the following duties and responsibilities, under the supervision of the Legal Officer:

- Develop a detailed outline of the study in collaboration with the Secretariat and FAO LEGN; - Compile a bibliography and list of resource materials; - Identify legislation of at least 15 countries that shows best practices for integration of biosafety mainstreaming, focusing on legislation with relevance for the food and agriculture sector; - Prepare drafts of the study and report on progress made as per schedule provided.

Output expectations - A detailed workplan - A brief progress report (maximum 1 page) - Telephone conversations, as needed, to discuss progress and challenges - 1st draft of the study - 2nd draft of the study addressing SCBD comments - 3rd draft of the study addressing input provided through peer review (as needed) - Final output: The final study

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law or related field is required. A specialization in international environmental law is desirable.

Experience A minimum of 5 years working experience carrying out research in international law is required.

A combination of qualifications and experience in preparing publications in the field of international environmental law is required.

Experience working with intergovernmental or supra-national institutions is desirable.

Experience with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety either at the national level or intergovernmental level is desirable.

Skills: Proficiency in using Microsoft Word is required.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) 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.