E-permitting Specialist (1 post)

Result of Service The CITES ePermitting Toolkit was developed by CITES Secretariat and the CITES Standing Committee Working Group on electronic Systems and Information Technology to support Parties in the implementation of electronic permitting systems. The first version was presented to the Conference of the Parties at its 15th meeting (CoP15, Doha 2010). The Annex of the CITES electronic toolkit was updated in 2013 to include new electronic permitting standards and norms developed by UN/CEFACT and WCO.

The first three chapters of the Toolkit provide background information on the use of electronic Business solutions for CITES permitting. However, since its drafting in 2009 eBusiness technologies and practices have considerably evolved and the topics in the three chapters do not reflect these changes.

The Annex of the Toolkit contains the normative part of the Toolkit. It provides a data model and the message specifications in UN/EDIFACT and XML format for electronic CITES permits. The message formats are given in the UN/CEFACT Core Component Library (CCL) standard (ISO 15000 suite of standards) and in the WCO Data Model standard and these have not been updated since 2013 either.

The Schema for the electronic CITES permit (toolkit version 2) is available for download on the CITES website but it is no longer compatible with the UN/CEFACT Core Component Library (CCL) standard.

The revision of the CITES ePermitting Toolkit is intended to address these shortfalls to ensure that the Toolkit is up-to-date and remains current for the next few years.

Work Location Remote

Expected duration 3 Months.

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between states. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival (www.cites.org). The CITES Secretariat is administered by UN Environment and is located at the Geneva duty station.

This assignment is part of the CITES Secretariat’s work under the Outreach and Projects Unit and will undertake tasks related to the work on electronic permitting system and information technologies of the Secretariat.

Under the overall supervision of Chief, Outreach and Projects Unit, the eCommerce standards specialist will:

1. Will review the current version of the CITES Toolkit on electronic permitting (version 2.0) published in 2013 as well as a set of meeting documents, guidelines and studies as defined by the Secretariat that have been produced since the previous version of the Toolkit was finalized. 2. On the basis of the review, prepare an outline (table of content) of the revised toolkit focusing on the technical aspects and integrating or aligning with the documents reviewed. 3. Upon approval by the Secretariat of the outline of the revision of the toolkit by the Secretariat, prepare the revised toolkit in two parts.

Part I should include the following elements: a) Updated background information b) Guidelines to allow Parties to develop common information exchange formats, protocols and standards for use with electronic permitting systems, including a standard based data model and XML schema for use in the toolkit according to ISO standards (ISO 15000, ebXML) developed by the UN/CEFACT; c) Information on new developments in the use of electronic documents by relevant organizations, particularly UN/CEFACT and WCO; d) References/links to relevant UN/CEFACT reference data models and e) Integration of the Species+/CITES Checklist Application Programming Interface (API). Part II should include the following elements: f) References/links to World Customs Organization data model g) Information regarding security measures (forgery, reuse of permits, etc.) 4. In preparing the two parts of the Toolkit, consult with the Secretariat and through the Secretariat with relevant Parties on the draft and revise accordingly. 5. Consolidate the two revised sections and finalize the new version of the toolkit in pdf and html formats.

Qualifications/special skills b) Required field of work and where applicable, area of specialty: data modelling, electronic commerce, trade facilitation, electronic documentation and security features. Experience, knowledge and understanding of the CITES electronic permitting toolkit will be a strong asset

c) Required education qualifications: systems analysis, software development, computer programmer

d) Required knowledge of languages: English is required. Other UN languages will be an asset.

Additional Information Competencies:

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to CITES Secretariat; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to CITES Secretariat procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

Technological Awareness: Using new technology, hardware, and software packages to complete key tasks; investigating and evaluating new technology, hardware, and software packages to be used to support key work activities; providing support to others in how to use and apply new technology, hardware and software; developing or managing new office systems or procedures which use technology; ensuring the effective and cost effective use of technology within a department or division

Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

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.