Ecosystem valuation consultant
Conduct ecosystem valuation mapping and produce reports
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Overview
Conduct ecosystem valuation mapping and produce reports
You have:
- Advanced degree in environmental economics, environmental policy or a related field.
- Minimum five years of proven experience in research and analysis in the area of environmental economics.
- Strong written and verbal, communication, interpersonal, research and analytical skills.
- Experience in Pacific island sustainable development issues is desirable.
- Fluency in oral and written English is required.
Contract
This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.
Result of Service
Deliverables/outputs: A. Initial scoping note on the background study B. Detailed outline of the study (mapping of ecosystem valuation initiatives) C. A detailed report mapping out the existing initiatives D. Synthesis report of views and experiences solicited in the expert group meeting and regional workshop organized under the project
Work Location
Home-based
Expected duration
4 months (part-time)
Duties and Responsibilities
ESCAP is mandated to contribute to strengthening regional cooperation and integration for sustainable development in line with the priorities of the Pacific. In particular, it aims to strengthen coordination with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and other Council of Regional Organizations of the Pacific (CROP) agencies in the Pacific to deliver the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent in line with the 2030 Agenda.
Pacific Islands Forum Leaders endorsed the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent (2050 Strategy) in July 2022 and its Implementation Plan in November 2023. The Pacific Roadmap for Economic Development (PRED), is anchored to the “resources and economic development” thematic area of the 2050 Strategy, linking the sustainable management of Pacific natural and human resources and the optimization of economic wealth from these resources.
As highlighted in the 2050 Strategy, sustainable management of resources requires, among others, identifying and understanding the value of ecosystem goods and services. There are various regional programmes and global frameworks measuring and assessing the value of ecosystem goods and services in economic terms with a view to incorporating them into economic development strategies. They include, for example, projects/programmes on valuation of marine ecosystems, ongoing development of System of Environmental-Economic Accounting – Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA-EA), and ocean account initiatives.
Given the limited human and financial capacity, a comprehensive valuation of ecosystems such as through implementation of SEEA-EA will remain an ambitious and long-term goal in many of the Pacific Small Island Developing States ( SIDS). On the other hand, Pacific SIDS see the urgency to understand the value of their natural resources and ecosystems, which are eroding due to climate change and unsustainable use of resources. For effective utilization of existing and ongoing initiatives on ecosystem valuation for policy decision-making, it is important that the Pacific member governments are aware of the utility and limitations of ecosystem valuations and identify the priority and scope of ecosystem valuation that are fit for their purpose. For instance, it is particularly critical in the Pacific context, where value of the ecosystems is of significant importance for coastal communities, that meaningful quantification of such value is very context-specific, if possible at all.
ESCAP, in collaboration with CROP agencies such as PIFS and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in particular, is initiating regional project aiming to enhance awareness and understanding of the valuation of ecosystem goods and services, drawing from experiences and lessons from the existing or ongoing initiatives and programmes in the Pacific and Asian region.
In this context, the consultant is expected to support the mapping of existing initiatives and experience and to facilitate experience sharing and discussion on priorities in the area of ecosystem valuation.
The scope of the work covers the following tasks:
Agree on the scope of the background study (mapping) with ESCAP and the project partners (e.g., PIFS, SPREP)
Conduct a background study to map out existing programmes and initiatives on the valuation of coastal and marine ecosystem goods and services with a specific focus on, but not limited to, the Pacific Small Island Developing States. The study should consist of a desktop review as well as direct communication with the parties (institutions, projects, etc) that are (were) engaged in the concerned valuation, to the extent possible. The study is expected to: a. Identify the scope of the valuation (e.g., geographic scope, what ecosystem goods and services are/were measured, purpose / expected use of the assessment) b. Identify the scope of the programmes/initiatives (e.g., time-frame, entities involved in the assessment, objectives) c. Identify the assessment methodologies applied, including: i. Whose values are/were assessed (e.g., general population, specific communities, etc) ii. How the monetary value of the assessment was derived (e.g., asking people how much they are willing to pay, estimating from commercial value of similar goods and services, etc) d. Assessment of the type of marine ecosystem goods and services not included (e.g., non-market value of ecosystem goods, etc) e. Identify national and regional examples of the use of the valuation results to inform policy and decision-making (where available)
Agree on the detailed outline of the report of the mapping study with ESCAP
Based on the background study, provide a list of suggested experts/institutions who are engaged in ecosystem valuation to be invited to the expert group meeting in 2024
Prepare a detailed report of the mapping study
Participate in (i) the expert group meeting and (ii) the Pacific regional workshop that ESCAP plans to conduct under the project in consultation with PIFS in 2024 to capture additional information and initiatives related to ecosystem valuation and elicit insights on the policy implications of ecosystem valuation.
Incorporate the discussion and inputs from the meetings (#6) into the report of the mapping study prepared under #5 above.
Qualifications/special skills
Academic Qualifications: Advanced degree in environmental economics, environmental policy or a related field. Strong written and verbal, communication, interpersonal, research and analytical skills. Minimum five years of proven experience in research and analysis in the area of environmental economics Experience in Pacific island sustainable development issues is desirable.
Languages
Fluency in oral and written English is required
Additional Information
Not available.
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 your experience with ecosystem valuation in the Pacific context? | This assesses your direct relevance and application of your expertise in the specific region. | Discuss specific projects or roles where you engaged with ecosystem valuation, emphasizing outcomes and lessons learned. |
| How do you approach stakeholder engagement in research processes? | The interviewer wants to determine your communication and interpersonal skills in involving stakeholders in research. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What methodologies have you used in your previous research on ecosystem services? | 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:
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