Evaluation of implementation of the EcAp Roadmap 2008-2021 (Level C)

Result of Service The ultimate results of the services are to inform the Contracting Parties on the status of implementation and delivery of the EcAp roadmap 2008-2021 and identify elements for a renewed commitment for ecosystem approach implementation for achieving GES and SDG 14, fully considering the most recent global and regional developments.

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration The duration of the Contract will be two (2) months spread over 14 months, starting from the date of last signature.

Duties and Responsibilities 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. The UNEP Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), Athens, Greece. The Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols, at their 15th Meeting (COP 15, Almeria, Spain, 15-18 January 2008), adopted the Implementation of the Ecosystem Approach to the management of human activities that may affect the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment (Decision IG.17/6). Furthermore, the Contracting Parties at their 17th Meeting (COP 17, Paris, France, 8-10 February 2012) adopted the Implementing MAP Ecosystem Approach Roadmap: Mediterranean Ecological and Operational Objectives, Indicators and Timetable for implementing the ecosystem approach roadmap (Decision IG.20/4), and additionally at their 18th Meeting (COP 18, Istanbul, Turkey, 3-6 December 2013) adopted the Ecosystem Approach including adopting definitions of Good Environmental Status (GES) and targets (Decision IG.21/3). On a biannual basis the Secretariat has undertaken a succinct evaluation of the roadmap and in particular its interaction with EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), with the view to ensuring as appropriate relevant synergies. Decision IG.25/19 on the Programme of Work and Budget for 2022–2023 (COP 22, Antalya, Turkey, 7-10 December 2021) requires the advancement of the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach (EcAp) in the Mediterranean and the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP), in coherence with regional and global developments. A number of activities included in the MAP Programme of Work and Budget, including the Activity 5.1.2, are supported through the Bilateral Cooperation Agreement (MoU) between UNEP and the Italian Ministry of Ecological Transition (MiTE), which was signed on 2 November 2021, to support the implementation of the mandate and key objectives of Barcelona Convention and its Protocols and the work of UNEP/MAP, addressing key common priorities. The Bilateral Cooperation Agreement is structured around two main objectives as follows: 1. Strengthening of the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach and the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) as key tools in delivering the Good Environmental Status in synergy with the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) at regional level; 2. Strengthening of pollution prevention, reduction and control actions towards a Pollution and Litter-free Mediterranean Following the above, the UNEP/MAP Coordinating Unit-Barcelona Convention Secretariat needs the services of a consultant for an independent evaluation to assess the implementation of UNEP/MAP’s (EcAp) Roadmap 2008-2021. The aim is to enhance and strengthen the delivery of the UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention system’s EcAp mandate in the future and, to this end, providing recommendations for a renewed EcAp Roadmap/Policy, as needs be, as required in Activity 5.1.2 of the UNEP/MAP Programme of Work and Budget 2022-2023 (PoW), supported by the bilateral cooperation agreement with Italy (MiTE).

The expert will work under the direct supervision of the UNEP/MAP QSR Programme Management Officer under the overall guidance of the UNEP/MAP Coordinator. The Executive Coordination Panel (ECP) and the IMAP Task Force of UNEP/MAP will also interact and contribute to this process.

The expert will undertake the following tasks: 1. Prepare an inception report with a detailed work plan and timetable; 2. Review key recent documents and processes including the contribution by different MAP projects implemented in the region (EcAp Med I, II and III, Marine Litter Med I and II, and IMAP-MPA) and relevant to EcAp Roadmap implementation, and conduct an evaluation of the implementation of the EcAp Roadmap; 3. Complete Table 1 in the Annex to these ToRs, with the following information for each of the Roadmap’s steps: a. The status of implementation of the current EcAp Roadmap, b. Evidence of the achievements and listing any identified gaps for each Step against the vision and objectives, c. Specify the contribution of MTS and MAP PoW and MAP projects to the different EcAp Roadmap steps, d. Analysing the status and evidence base, make recommendations for the next substantive steps considering relevant global and regional commitments; 4. Conduct an analysis of recent developments at global and regional level relevant to EcAp and IMAP with a particular focus on the EU MSFD implementation and evaluation process; other Regional Seas relevant developments; UNEP regional Seas strategic directions; relevant UNEA resolutions; CBD, etc. 5. Taking account of the analyses in points 2, 3 and 4, identify elements for a renewed EcAp Roadmap/policy for consideration by EcAp MAP Governance bodies; 6. Develop proposals on new updated features of EcAp Roadmap/Policy and IMAP based on feedback and following the experience with QSR 2023 preparation; 7. Hold meetings with the Secretariat and provide technical support on the presentation of progress and outputs to the MAP bodies, as appropriate.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in marine and or environmental management, law or other relevant political or social science areas is required Experience: - At least 7 years of relevant professional work experience is required - Very good understanding of the global and regional developments related to the environment, Ecosystem Approach and sustainable development of the Mediterranean is highly desirable - Very good understanding of the UNEP/MAP system, EcAp and IMAP policy related implementation challenges is highly desirable - Knowledge of gender mainstreaming issues is desirable Language: Fluency in English is required; fluency in French is an asset

Additional Information Good knowledge of office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is 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.