Consultant on forest ecosystem restoration and inter-agency cooperation on forest and restoration

Result of Service As a result of the services provided the FERI work plan 2021-2022 will be delivered and reported on, and Parties to the CBD will have received capacity building through the MOOC and other tools, which in turn support their achievement of the post 2020 Global Biodiversity Targets (currently under negotiation), specifically draft Targets 2 and 3.

The service will result in more visible and effective contribution of FERI to the implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030).

In addition, as a result of the services provided, the Secretariat will maintain cooperation with and inputs to other international organizations and initiatives on forest biodiversity and ecosystem restoration matters.

Work Location Remote - Home-based

Expected duration Seven (7) 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.

Duties and responsibilities

A. Implementing the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (FERI)

The consultant will produce the following outputs, under the guidance of the Forest Biodiversity Programme Officer and in close coordination with the rest of the FERI team:

- Support development of knowledge products and tools on forest ecosystem restoration in support to the development of the national targets on ecosystem restoration as a part of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

- Support the planning, organization of and follow-up of a Massive Open Online Course on ecosystem restoration planned for the 3rd or 4th quarter of 2022.

- To assist with creation of a database of national restoration targets submitted under the country level review process of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and monitoring plans; and

- To assist in the development of country dossiers in collaboration with the partners.

- To lead on the FERI outreach and communication plan.

- Update and coordinate the FERI communication and outreach plan.

- Develop communications materials, background documentation, PowerPoint presentations, social media and other materials in close coordination with the CBD Communication team as well as the communication team of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration; and

- Participating and effectively representing the Project in internal and external meetings related to the implementation of the FERI.

- To support the building and maintaining of partnerships for effective implementation of the FERI:

- Engagement with organizations working on ecosystem restoration (e.g. IUCN, FAO Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism, Society of Ecological Restoration) promotes incorporation of ecosystem restoration principles and the outcomes/lessons o FERI direct support projects in the implementation of their activities

- To assist in the management of the FERI

- Assist in the preparation and review of various project documents.

- Assist in the preparation of the FERI workplan 2023-2024, as well as the resource mobilization.

- Provide input to reporting requirements of FERI

B. Cooperation with other international organizations and initiatives on forest biodiversity matters

The consultant would provide:

- Input to documents, surveys, and presentations for meetings of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests;

- Input to documents and review of collaborative work on forest and/or restoration undertaken with the Secretariats of the UNFF, UNCCD and UNFCCC;

- Review of proposals and input to documents and meetings developed by the FAO's Forest Resources Assessment team with regards to the improvement of forest reporting of relevance to forest-related Aichi Biodiversity Targets; and

- Liaison with the Secretariat of the International Timber Trade Organization with regards to the Joint ITTO/CBD Collaborative Initiative for Tropical Forest Biodiversity.

The above (sections A and B) should be delivered electronically to the officer in charge of the project. Evaluation will be based on the quality of the work and its timely delivery.

Qualifications/special skills Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Skills: Knowledge and understanding of the Convention on Biological Diversity, in particular the programme of work on forest biodiversity, the cross-cutting theme of ecosystem restoration and the issues and partnerships involved in their implementation.

Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree in environmental science, environmental management, or related fields is required.

Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of work experience in global forest policy issues with biodiversity focus (e.g. biodiversity conservation, forest biodiversity, ecosystem restoration) is required. Experience working on programmes or projects related to biodiversity, forests and ecosystem restoration is desirable. Experience working in the context of providing capacity building to developing countries on forest biodiversity or forest ecosystem restoration is desirable. Experience working for the United Nations, and specifically the SCBD, is desirable.

Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required, and knowledge of French and Spanish is desirable.

Additional Information TRAVEL

Travel may be 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.