Consultant for the preparation of a Report on Avian Wild Meat

Result of Service The ultimate objective of the project is to assess, to the extent possible, the direct and indirect impacts of wild meat taking, trade and consumption of all CMS-listed bird species (with a focus on Appendix II) within the Range States listed in Annex 2 of CMS Resolution 11.17 (Rev.COP13)/Rev.1 African-Eurasian Migratory Landbirds Action Plan (AEMLAP).

Expected outputs are: - a report (30-50 p.) on the use of avian wild meat of CMS-listed bird species, as detailed above, with an Executive Summary, relevant introductory and analytical chapters, a thorough discussion, and relevant appendices; - a spreadsheet of the above information (with linked Mendeley-compatible electronic library) and compile a full bibliography of the relevant sources used; and - a Microsoft Power Point presentation of max 20 slides with powerful images and graphs, summarising the main findings of the report.

Further to the above, the consultant will be required to integrate the data arising from the upcoming Vulture MSAP mid-term review (to take place in 2023) into the final report and to support a planned workshop on the development of an Action Plan on West African Vultures (envisaged for the end of 2023) where data compiled on wild meat take can be presented and verified, with a special focus vulture taking and trade for human consumption.

Work Location home-based

Expected duration 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities Background and Objective

The objective of the project is to assess, to the extent possible, the direct and indirect impacts of wild meat taking, trade and consumption of all bird species covered by CMS Appendices I and / or II.

For this purpose, the broad definition of ‘taking’ given by CMS (Article I (1)(j)) is used: ‘taking, hunting, fishing capturing, harassing, deliberate killing, or attempting to engage in any such conduct’. In this study, any taking of CMS avian species (both land and seabirds) for the delivery of meat or other wildlife parts (nests, eggs, etc.) for human consumption (food or non-food, including for “medicinal use”), legal or illegal by law is relevant. The geographic scope of the study shall be limited to the Range States listed in Annex 2 of CMS Resolution 11.17 (Rev.COP13)/Rev.1 African-Eurasian Migratory Landbirds Action Plan (AEMLAP; map available on page 21).

Understanding that many CMS Appendix II avian species are currently legally taken, and that these are not always for human consumption or trade, it is proposed that this report focuses on Appendix II species hunted for human consumption/trade that are found to be declining/with an unfavourable conservation and/or for which established quotas (if available) could be having a negative impact on their populations. Take of seabirds in fisheries (bycatch), if for human consumption/trade, should be considered for this report.

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) aims to conserve terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range. It is an intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the aegis of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), concerned with the conservation of wildlife and habitats on a global scale. As an "umbrella" Convention, CMS maintains close institutional and programmatic linkages with its associated instruments, including with those agreements that are legally independent. The "parent" Convention, CMS, and its "daughter" agreements are often collectively referred to as the "CMS Family".

Justification

This work is based on CMS Decision 13.109 (a) Addressing Unsustainable Use of Terrestrial and Avian Wild Meat of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, which directs that the CMS Secretariat shall, subject to the availability of external resources, and working within the Convention’s remit, prepare an analysis on the direct and indirect impacts of wild meat taking, trade and consumption of terrestrial and avian species listed on CMS Appendices I and II.

CMS Decision 13.109 requests the Secretariat to prepare an analysis on the direct and indirect impacts of wild meat taking, trade and consumption of terrestrial and avian species listed on CMS Appendices I and II. In response, in 2021, CMS already published a report titled ‘Impacts of Taking, Trade and Consumption of Terrestrial Migratory Species for Wild Meat’, summarising the status of knowledge on the impacts of wild meat taking, trade and consumption of terrestrial animal species protected under CMS. This consultancy is aimed to complete the Avian aspect of Decision 13.109.

Responsibilities

Draft a report and presentation slides containing the following items to the extent possible with available data:

a) Identification of the magnitude of wild meat taking, trade and consumption for all CMS listed Avian species (see caveat explained above). This magnitude assessment should seek to provide information on wild meat taking for different purposes, including national and international trade, and direct consumption.

b) Identification of the direct impacts of wild meat taking, trade and consumption for all CMS listed Avian species related to population sizes, trends, viability, and conservation and legal status of the avian species listed in CMS Appendices I and II across their range within the specified geographic scope, by reviewing: - Literature related to taking, trade and consumption for consumption purposes, for each species; - Evidence for take, trade and consumption for each species, incl. amounts taken/consumed, locations, prices and trends; - IUCN Red List information to see which species are registered as being threatened by regulated, unregulated, legal and illegal taking for the delivery of meat or other wildlife parts for consumption; - Legal protection status (MEAs and national legislation); and - Available assessments on the likely sustainability of taking, trade and consumption.

c) Identification, to the extent possible, of indirect impacts (e.g., effects on the availability of prey species, cascading effects on other species, food webs, ecosystem functioning and services, and human societies such as regarding food security) of wild meat taking, trade and consumption of the avian species specified above. Compile and summarize information and case studies on these indirect impacts, including areas for potential additional research to address gaps.

d) Case studies on the impact of wild meat taking, trade and consumption on a selection of globally threatened avian species occurring within the geographical limits of this study, and its relative importance with respect to other drivers of decline.

e) Compile evidence, to the extent possible, of the linkages between taking, trade and consumption of the species taken for human consumption/trade and zoonotic disease transmission risk

f) Identification, to the extent possible, of motivations for the taking, trade and consumption, e.g., - Is the use related to unintentional take (if possible, identify whether dead or alive) or is the take intentional? - Is the use traditional, rural, urban, commercial, other? - Is there a difference between primary and secondary reasons for the use? - How much of it is subsistence use of wild meat? - Are there any alternative protein sources available?

g) Knowledge gaps related to: - Take, trade and consumption of CMS listed species, given the challenges of monitoring these activities. - Policy recommendations based on potential legislation gaps identified - Areas for potential future analyses regarding the impacts of taking of the CMS listed species e.g., cascading effects on other species, food webs, ecosystem functioning and services, and human societies such as regarding food security.

h) A spreadsheet of the above information (with linked Mendeley-compatible electronic library) and compile a full bibliography of the relevant sources used.

i) A Microsoft Power Point presentation of max 20 slides with powerful images and graphs, summarising the main findings of the report.

Further to the above, the consultant will be required to integrate the data arising from the upcoming Vulture MSAP mid-term review (to take place in 2023) into the final report and to support a planned workshop on the development of an Action Plan on West African Vultures (envisaged for the end of 2023) where data compiled on wild meat take can be presented and verified, with a special focus vulture taking and trade for human consumption.

Reporting lines

The work will be conducted under the direct supervision of the Head of the Avian Species Team and the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary of the CMS Secretariat. Cooperation with members of the CMS Avian Species Team and the MIKT Coordinator is also expected.

Qualifications/special skills Experience:

The CMS Secretariat welcomes applications from individuals with substantive proven experience and capacity to provide the required output as described above. In particular, the applicant should:

• Have proven expertise in producing scientific reviews and/or assessment reports;
• Have proven knowledge in the fields relating to avian wild meat use, including an understanding of the interactions with related but different issues such as fisheries, whaling, bird pet trade or hunting; and
• Have excellent writing skills in English.

Competencies:

a. Planning and organizing: Ability to plan own work, to prioritize multiple tasks within set deadlines, and a good understanding of the principles of clear decision-making, planning and management of risks;

b. Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft and edit policy, technical and communications documents; Knowledge of production and dissemination of public information;

c. Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; A good knowledge and understanding of CMS and its associated instruments; Knowledge of current issues related to bird conservation and issues related to illegal killing of birds (IKB) in particular; Good research, problem-solving and analytical skills; Sound judgement and prioritisation skills.

Languages Fluency in oral and written English is essential. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Additional Information Outputs/Work Assignment

As detailed above, a report (approx. 30-50 pages) on the use of avian wild meat of CMS-listed bird species (Word document) with an Executive Summary, relevant introductory and analytical chapters, a thorough discussion and appendices including (but not limited to) a database spreadsheet and reference / literature compilation. A Microsoft Power Point presentation of max 20 slides with powerful images and graphs, summarising the main findings of the report.

A preliminary report should be available no later than 1 October 2023; this preliminary report might support a side-event organized by the CMS Secretariat at the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CMS (CMS COP14, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, October 2023).

The delivery of all final products (as specified above) is expected no later than February 2024.

Further to the above, the consultant will be required to integrate the data arising from the upcoming Vulture MSAP mid-term review (to take place in 2023) into the final report and to support a planned workshop on the development of an Action Plan on West African Vultures (envisaged for the end of 2023) where data compiled on wild meat take can be presented and verified, with a special focus vulture taking and trade for human consumption.

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.