Consultant to support work under the CBD Secretariat on marine, coastal and island biodiversity

Result of Service The consultant shall provide technical, organizational and communication support to the work of the Secretariat on marine, coastal and island biodiversity. This shall be done with the direct input and oversight of the Programme Management Officer (Marine, Coastal and Island Biodiversity) within the Biodiversity, Science, Policy and Governance Unit.

Work Location Montreal

Expected duration Nine (9) 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.

In decision 15/24, the Conference of the Parties (COP) welcomed the capacity-building, experience-sharing and partnership activities being facilitated by the Executive Secretary, notably through the Sustainable Ocean Initiative, at the national, regional and global levels, in collaboration with Parties, other Governments, subnational governments, where appropriate, indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, and relevant organizations, expresses its gratitude to donor countries and many other partners for providing financial and technical support for the implementation of activities under the Sustainable Ocean Initiative, and requested the Executive Secretary to continue to facilitate capacity-building activities under the Sustainable Ocean Initiative in order to support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including its monitoring framework, with respect to marine, coastal and island biodiversity.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Programme Management Officer, (Marine, Coastal and Island Biodiversity), Biodiversity Science, Policy and Governance Unit, Science, Society and Sustainable Futures Division, and in collaboration with the SCBD marine, coastal and island biodiversity team, the consultant will support the implementation of the programme of work on marine and coastal biodiversity and the programme of work on island biodiversity focusing on the following:

(a) Organizational support in convening workshops, meetings and side events; (b) Drafting of statements, presentations and other technical materials; (c) Development of relevant communication products on the basis of work under the CBD on marine, coastal and island biodiversity; (d) Science and policy research to inform the development of the above-noted materials; (e) Support in reviewing and editing documents and reports; (f) Coordination and communication with external partners, including governments and donors; (g) Support in developing technical inputs to relevant intergovernmental processes related to marine, coastal and island biodiversity; (h) Other relevant activities as requested by Mr. Joseph Appiott, Programme Management Officer (Marine, Coastal and Island Biodiversity).

Qualifications/special skills Education

University degree in environmental science/policy, international development/relations, or related fields is required.

Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of work experience in the field of environmental science/policy, international development/relations or related fields is required.

Experience in reviewing, editing and drafting scientific and/or technical documents is required.

Knowledge and work experience relevant to areas of work under the Convention on Biological Diversity is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is desirable.

Additional Information SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Local recruitment. Applicants must be Canadian residents or citizens or have permission to work in Canada.

TRAVEL

Travel as it 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.