Coordinator Task Force Illegal Killing of Birds

Result of Service Task Force on Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the Mediterranean successfully coordinated according to requirements related to this multi-stakeholder initiative and satisfactory support to CMS Parties and the CMS Secretariat is provided regarding their mandates to protect migratory birds from illegal killing, taking and trade.

Work Location Regular: Bonn; services can be carried out remotely, while it will be beneficial to be able to visit and/or work from Bonn, subject to potential Covid-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions

Expected duration 01 February to 31 July 2023

Duties and Responsibilities Organizational Setting and Reporting

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Background

The Intergovernmental Task Force on Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the Mediterranean (MIKT) has been convened under the mandate of CMS Resolution 11.16 (Rev.COP13). It brings together governmental representatives of CMS Parties around the Mediterranean, including the European Union and other interested Parties. Representatives from non-CMS Parties as well as relevant international organizations and networks are also part of MIKT as observers. The MIKT process has been built upon the Bern Convention’s Tunis Action Plan 2013-2020, and has been supporting the activities of the Bern Convention Network of Special Focal Points (SFPs) for Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Wild Birds (IKB). In moderating the MIKT and facilitating its activities, the MIKT Coordinator and the CMS Secretariat cooperate closely with the Secretariat of the Bern Convention, inter alia through the organization of joint meetings of MIKT and the Bern Convention Network of SFPs on IKB. In 2019, a common strategy has been adopted by both MIKT and the Bern Convention SFPs, reflected in the jointly developed framework of the Rome Strategic Plan on Eradicating Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade in Wild Birds in Europe and the Mediterranean region 2020-2030. Priority actions of the Workplan 2021-2025 of MIKT are supporting the implementation of the Rome Strategic Plan.

Scope

The geographical scope of action of the Coordinator will include all coastal States of the Mediterranean Sea and any other State that may have an influence on illegal killing, taking and trade of wild birds (IKB) in the region, including through trade or any other commercial relationship.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Avian Species Team and the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary of the CMS, the Coordinator will deal with all migratory bird species as identified by CMS and its relevant associated instruments, which regularly occur in the Mediterranean Region, looking for maximum complementarity with the Bern Convention Network of Special Focal Points on Eradication of Illegal Killing, Trapping and Trade in Wild Birds (Bern SFPs Network).

Responsibilities

1. Coordinate the implementation of the Task Force's Workplan and of the Rome Strategic Plan on Eradicating Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade in Wild Birds in Europe and the Mediterranean region 2020-2030, as relevant, in cooperation with MIKT member countries, and in accordance with the joint strategic approach of CMS MIKT and the Bern SFPs Network, and undertake periodic reviews of progress; 2. 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, and the Bern Convention Secretariat in line with the joint strategic approach; 3. Coordinate the consultation process of the 2023 Scoreboard to Assess the Progress in Combating Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Wild Birds (IKB) for MIKT Parties, and implement it through the online reporting system. 4. Maintain and monitor the Task Force communication platform (website and intranet); 5. In coordination with the Joint CMS + AEWA Communications, Information Management and Outreach Team, promote awareness about the Task Force through social media, drafting of articles and OpEds, and providing other inputs for the CMS website; 6. Guide the implementation of decisions of the Task Force and of the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP) with regard to IKB; 7. Provide drafts and inputs for fundraising and resource mobilization, and relevant reporting to donors; 8. Facilitate engagement of stakeholders in the activities of the Task Force; 9. Stimulate communication and exchange of information, experience, best practice and know-how; 10. Represent the Task Force at relevant meetings; 11. Maintain links with other relevant CMS instruments and working groups such as AEWA, the Raptors MOU, the Flyways WG, the Preventing Poisoning WG and the African-Eurasian Migratory Landbirds WG; 12. Provide inputs to the development process of Task Forces on Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds such as the one for the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, according to the Terms of Reference agreed at CMS COP12, and/or similar initiatives for other regions.

Qualifications/special skills 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 five years relevant work experience in the implementation of multi-stakeholder environmental management projects and programmes, some of which should be at an international level.

Competencies: 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; A good knowledge and understanding of CMS and its associated instruments, knowledge of current issues related to bird conservation and illegal killing in particular, and familiarity with the Mediterranean region is highly relevant; Good research, problem-solving and analytical skills; Sound judgement;

Languages Fluency in oral and written English is essential. Knowledge of French, Spanish or Arabic is 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.