Consultant to enhance partnerships and provide technical and strategic advice on forest biodiversity and the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative
Provide strategic advice on forest biodiversity initiatives and partnerships
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Overview
Provide strategic advice on forest biodiversity initiatives and partnerships
You have:
- Advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in environmental science, environmental management, forest science, or related fields is required.
- A minimum of ten (10) years of work experience in global forest policy issues with biodiversity focus is required.
- Experience working on programmes or projects related to biodiversity, forests and ecosystem restoration is desirable.
- Experience working for the United Nations, and specifically the SCBD, is desirable.
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of French and Spanish is desirable.
Result of Service As a result of the services provided the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative and the Forest Biodiversity Programme of Work will be planned in synergy with the processes and partnerships of other fora to deliver support to the countries for implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The service will result in inputs to the CBD Subsidiary Body processes and will provide more cohesive planning and provide a good foundation for current and future work.
Work Location Remote - Home based
Expected duration Six 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
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 Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (FERI) team:
1. Analytical study on the role of protection, restoration, and sustainable management of forests in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The study will serve multiple objectives: (i) inform the process of the strategic review and revision of the Forest Biodiversity Programme of Work in the context of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in accordance with decision 15/4 of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention; (ii) inform the future programming of the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative for the period 2026-2030; and (iii) serve as the basis for identifying gaps as well as emerging issues in the Forest Biodiversity Programme of Work. This process will also inform enhancing, refocusing and building new partnerships. The scope of the study will be identified jointly with the CBD Secretariat.
- Deliverable and timeline: Analytical study, over 1.5-2 months.
2. Strategic advice on the operationalization of existing cooperation agreements and the development of new agreements. Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative activities are strongly embedded into the partnership with various global and regional agencies and therefore require a careful review to align the current and upcoming agreements with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (“the Framework”). The main focus of the review will be the existing and potential collaboration with the member organizations of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) such as UNFF, ITTO, FAO and others. The CBD Secretariat is a member of the CPF which is a voluntary interagency partnership on forests established in 2001 to support the work of the United Nations Forum on Forests. Following the adoption of the Framework, Member States of the UNFF requested the CPF to build stronger alignment between the Global Forest Goals and the new Framework. Ideas for joint activities within the CPF will be identified including the identification of potential donors. This will also allow more effective coordination with CPF members. Advice on the future and emerging partnerships on forest biodiversity in the context of the Framework should be provided as a part of the deliverable. Streamlining activities of the CBD Secretariat under various agreements would allow coherent planning, effective implementation of the agreements as well as resource optimization. The joint workplans will be based on the revision of past agreements and will be based on the lessons learned from their implementation.
- Deliverables and timeline: (i) substantive elements for developing a joint workplan for CBD Secretariat and UNFF Secretariat which will inform the development of the MoU; (ii) substantive elements for developing a joint workplan of CBD Secretariat and ITTO which operationalizes the existing MoU between two agencies and (iii) substantive elements for developing joint action plan for the FAO Forestry Division and CBD Secretariat. The drafting of the workplans will be implemented in a phased manner over 2-2.5 months.
3. Strategic advice on the future programming for the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative for the period 2026-2030, including collection of inputs from key organizations and Parties through informal consultations. Future programming directions should be aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and its supporting decisions on capacity-building, monitoring and resource mobilization. Key priorities, outcomes and lessons learned of FERI activities under the MoUs 2015-2025 should be taken into consideration for the future programming of the Initiative.
- Deliverable and timeline: Concept note for FERI main programming direction for the period 2026-2030, 10 days over 1-1.5 months.
Qualifications/special skills Academic qualifications
Advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in environmental science, environmental management, forest science, or related fields is required.
Experience
A minimum of ten (10) 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 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.
NOTE: "Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.
Additional Information TRAVEL
Possible travel to CBD or partner meetings. The Secretariat will cover the costs of the participation of the Consultant in the meeting as per the UN Travel policy.
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.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a challenging project related to forest biodiversity you managed? What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them? | This question assesses your experience and problem-solving skills in a relevant context. | Use specific examples to highlight your role and the steps you took to resolve the challenges. |
| How do you approach building partnerships with different stakeholders in environmental projects? | This question evaluates your stakeholder engagement strategy and communication skills. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time when you had to analyze complex data or information for a biodiversity project. What was your approach? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you use to ensure that your projects align with global biodiversity frameworks? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you provide an example of how you have influenced policy related to forest biodiversity? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Added 2 years ago
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Updated 1 year ago
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Source:
careers.un.org
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