Consultant - Preparation and Servicing of CMS COP14

Result of Service Adequate organizational, legal and procedural support is provided in the run-up, during and after COP14.

Work Location Bonn

Expected duration 6 months - The contract is planned from 15 April to 15 November 2023

Duties and Responsibilities The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is a global intergovernmental treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats. Numerous additional intergovernmental instruments on migratory species conservation have been adopted under the broad umbrella of CMS which are supported by the CMS Secretariat. In addition, two regional agreements on migratory species adopted under CMS have their own Secretariats which are co-located with the CMS Secretariat in Bonn - the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and the Agreement on the Conservation of European Populations of Bats (EUROBATS).

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. In the present context, UNEP provides the administrative functions for the CMS, AEWA and EUROBATS Secretariats. This post is located in the CMS Secretariat at the Bonn duty station in Germany.

Under the direct supervision of the Legal Officer and Head of Conference Services, the consultant will contribute to the preparation and assist in the servicing of the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Migratory Species (COP14) by:

1. Assisting with the preparations in the run-up to COP14 by:

- Assisting the Legal Officer in developing legal advice on diverse substantive and procedural questions, which may include those related to COP14 documents prepared by the secretariat, to include interpretation and application of relevant provisions and procedural matters, e.g. rules of procedure; - Performing legal and procedural research and analysis and contributing to the drafting of documents, briefs, reports and correspondence; - Contributing to the preparation of documents for COP14 as assigned by the Legal Officer; - Tracking of documents and reports for the consideration of COP14; - Supporting the Legal Officer and Head of Conference Services in preparing the meeting agendas and schedule and briefing the Chairs; and - Supporting the Legal Officer and Head of Conference Services in the organization of COP14 and other events in the margins of COP14.

2. Provide support at COP14 by:

- Assisting the podium and the chairs during the plenary session of the meeting; and - Supporting the preparation of in-session documents, schedules and meeting reports

3. Provide support after COP14 with the preparation of the meeting report and finalization and publication of the meeting outcomes.

Qualifications/special skills Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law, public administration, social sciences with specialized knowledge in international environmental law or a closely related field is required. A first-level university in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of 3 years of work experience in legal analysis and drafting; excellent legal analysis and drafting skills; excellent organisational skills; excellent computer skills, including working with MS Office; Ability to work alongside a diverse team of professional and administrative internationally-recruited staff; Ability to work under tight deadlines; Excellent communication skills (written and orally)

Familiarity with the Convention on Migratory Species, or issues relating to biodiversity conservation would be an advantage. Familiarity with United Nations processes would be an advantage. Previous experience in servicing international meetings would be an advantage.

Languages English, French and Spanish are the working languages of the CMS Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in any of the other working languages would be an advantage.

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.