Coordinator Task Force Illegal Hunting of Birds in the EAAF

Result of Service Intergovernmental Task Force to Address Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (ITTEA) is successfully established; a work programme and related documentation for an intergovernmental process including relevant meeting(s) of the Task Force developed; activities and communication with Task Force members, the EAAFP Task Force on Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Waterbirds, the EAAFP Secretariat and other observers and relevant stakeholders coordinated and facilitated according to requirements related to this multi-stakeholder initiative; and satisfactory support to CMS Parties and the CMS Secretariat provided regarding their mandates to protect migratory birds from illegal killing, taking and trade.

Work Location Remote/home-based, while beneficial to work from Bonn

Expected duration From 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023; on average 15 working days per month, in line with milestones described under “Outputs”.

Duties and Responsibilities Background

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 Environment 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 Intergovernmental Task Force to Address Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (ITTEA) is to be convened under the mandate of CMS Resolution 11.16 (Rev.COP13) The Prevention of Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds and CMS Decisions 13.32 to 13.33 - Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the East-Asian Australasian Flyway. It will bring together government representatives in the field of environment, game management, law enforcement and judiciary of CMS Parties as well as of Non-Parties in the East-Asian Australasian Flyway (EAAF). Representatives of other interested CMS Parties beyond the EAAF, of governing and technical bodies and secretariats of the participating MEAs and other international organizations, of relevant bilateral migratory bird agreements in the region as well as of academic institutions, the hunting community, NGOs and other stakeholders and networks, as appropriate, will be invited to contribute to the Task Force as observers. In moderating the ITTEA and facilitating its activities, the ITTEA Coordinator and the CMS Secretariat cooperate closely with the Secretariat of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership and its Task Force on Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Waterbirds.

Scope

The geographical scope of action of the Coordinator will be regional, covering all states of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and any other States that may have an influence on illegal hunting, taking and trade of wild birds (IHB) in the region, including through trade or any other commercial relationship.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Avian Species Team of the CMS Secretariat and the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary of CMS, the Coordinator’s work will deal with all migratory bird species as identified by CMS and its relevant associated instruments, which regularly occur in the EAAF region, except waterbirds, and looking for maximum complementarity and cooperation with the EAAFP Task Force on Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Waterbirds.

Tasks and Responsibilities

1. Support the CMS Secretariat’s activities and communication with Range States towards the establishment of the Task Force; 2. Prepare a draft of a prioritized work programme applying a log-frame model including goals, objectives and list of priority activities, facilitate consultations with Task Force members and observers on the draft, and prepare a final version of the work programme, in close cooperation with the CMS Secretariat, and coordination with the EAAFP Task Force on Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Waterbirds. 3. Lead the organization of the meetings of the Task Force and prepare the agenda and background documents, under the guidance of the CMS Secretariat and in close cooperation with the host (including in the case of in-person meetings); 4. In coordination with the Joint CMS + AEWA Communications, Information Management and Outreach Team, establish and update a webpage for the Task Force, promote awareness about the Task Force through social media, drafting of articles and OpEds, and providing other inputs for the CMS website; 5. Maintain and monitor the Task Force communication platform (website and intranet); 6. Facilitate implementation of decisions of the Task Force and the Decisions 13.32 and 13.33 of the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP) with regard to IHB; 7. Assist with fundraising and resource mobilization, and relevant reporting to donors; 8. Organize at least one webinar on IHB Monitoring Methodologies and best practice available. 9. Facilitate engagement of stakeholders in the activities of the Task Force; 10. Stimulate communication and exchange of information, experience, best practice and know-how among members and observers of the Task Force as well as to other relevant stakeholders; 11. Prepare inputs for contractual arrangements with implementing partners or other contractors, maintain regular contact, and monitor timely completion of deliverables from projects conducted by implementing partners on national legislation to address IHB and on the assessment of motivations for IHB, to be developed subject to availability of additional resources; 12. Represent the Task Force at relevant meetings, in consultation with the CMS Secretariat; 13. Maintain links with other relevant CMS instruments and working groups (WGs) such as AEWA, the Raptors MOU, the Flyways WG, the Preventing Poisoning WG and the African-Eurasian Migratory Landbirds WG.

Qualifications/special skills Competency: 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; Knowledge and understanding of CMS and its associated instruments, of current issues related to bird conservation and illegal hunting and trade in particular, and familiarity with the East Asian-Australasian region is highly relevant; Good research, problem-solving and analytical skills; Sound judgement.

Academic Qualifications: An advanced university degree (Masters' or equivalent) in biology, ecology, zoology, environmental sciences, environmental policy or a closely related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience: A minimum of two years relevant work experience in the implementation of multi-stakeholder environmental management projects and programmes, some of which should be at an international level.

Language: Fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of Chinese or Russian would be highly desirable.

Additional Information - The remuneration will be in line with the UN fee and remuneration levels for consultants and individual contractors. - The successful candidate will neither hold civil servant status nor be a ‘staff member’ as defined in the UN Staff Rules and Regulations. - All applications will be treated in strict confidence.

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.