Individual Contractor - Programme Monitoring, Learning and Reporting Support

Result of Service The work of the Individual Contractor is expected to contribute to the establishment of a solid foundation of the interim Global Coordination Unit and its functions, including its monitoring and reporting systems and its relationship with other related initiatives, well serviced meetings, a well designed knowledge hub which will facilitate increased access to and use of relevant knowledge products and learning opportunities, and timely submission of progress reports and final reports to donors and stakeholders. Ultimately, all these results are expected to contribute to accelerated and effective implementation, monitoring and reporting of the NBSAPs.

Work Location Montreal (CBD Secretariat offices)

Expected duration Six months.

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme 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. At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for 'sustainable development'. The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature in Rio in 1992. The Convention has three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and administered by United Nations Environment Programme. Its main tasks are to arrange for and service meetings of the Conference of the Parties, including preparation of pertinent documentation, operation of the central node of the clearing-house mechanism, liaison and coordination with other international bodies and processes and, in close collaboration with these partners, the provision of technical support for the effective implementation of the Convention.

The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership was established to raise the ambition and political profile of NBSAPs and to accelerate their implementation to contribute to the achievement of the GBF goals and targets. It seeks to facilitate coherent access to financial and technical support, provide in-country/regional facilitation and matchmaking support; develop the technical and institutional capacity of relevant government agencies and national organizations; support knowledge management to increase access to biodiversity knowledge products and tools; facilitate peer-to-peer learning and exchanges across countries, and strengthen biodiversity governance and synergies with other initiatives to enhance the implementation of NBSAPs.

The Individual Contractor will assist with the planning, coordination, delivery and monitoring of the iGCU’s work;, compiling and synthesizing information, providing general administrative and office support to the iGCU, assisting with the organization and servicing of meetings and training activities, drafting various documents, assisting with the planning and delivery of various iGCU activities, facilitating ongoing engagement of and collaboration with various partners, and supporting the preparation of consolidated annual progress reports and final narrative reports after the completion of specific projects and activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the overall guidance of the Secretariat’s Head of the Capacity Building and Knowledge Management Unit, and the direct supervision of and with guidance from the iGCU Knowledge and Learning Lead and in close collaboration with the Global Coordinator of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, the Individual Contractor will be responsible for performing the following duties:

1. Compile and synthesize information from the Participating Agencies and assist in the planning, coordination, delivery and monitoring of the iGCU’s work plans and programme activities and in preparing consolidated progress reports and final narrative reports after the completion of specific projects and activities for submission to relevant governing bodies, donors and relevant stakeholders.

2. Collect, collate, maintain and facilitate access to information through a database and online platforms: (a) on the various NBSAP Accelerator Partnership support activities and other relevant initiatives and programmes supporting NBSAP revision and implementation in order to provide a continually updated overview of these and (b) on available learning and technical assistance opportunities, expertise, tools, learning and guidance material and other knowledge products, including case studies of good practice and lessons learned, in order to support the implementation of NBSAPs.

3. Support the engagement of and collaboration with various partners, including UN agencies, international organizations, regional organizations and networks, funding agencies, and other stakeholders involved in or supporting the implementation of NBSAPs, and facilitates coordination and communication among the Participating Agencies and with internal technical and administrative units and divisions by maintaining regular communications with all these actors.

4. Organize and service meetings, workshops, events and trainings provided by the iGCU, including making the necessary logistical arrangements, assisting with the preparation of background material and documentation, preparing the presentations, and supporting the follow-up actions.

5. Undertake administrative and general office support functions of the iGCU, including drafting correspondence, maintaining calendars/schedules, preparing minutes of meetings, drafting various documents and reports, managing office records, processing administrative requisitions (travel requests, purchase orders, expenditure authorizations, etc.), and managing relations with vendors and service providers.

6. Perform other related and relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications/special skills Academic qualifications:

A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Supplementary training in environmental management, social sciences, public administration, project management or equivalent is desirable.

Working Experience:

At least ten years of progressively relevant experience in programme management, sustainable development, environmental management, public administration or related fields is required.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills is required.

Experience with capacity development and knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, and project management is desirable.

Experience working with minimal supervision and working as an active member of a team is desirable.

Experience in using computers and office software packages such as MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint is desirable.

Experience in using web-based management systems and knowledge of learning and development software packages (such as Moodle, Mural, and Zoom) is desirable. Work experience with multilateral environmental agreements and knowledge of UN rules and regulations is desirable.

Competencies required:

a. Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

b. Planning and Organizing: Ability to plan projects and activities, work to tight deadlines, and manage conflicting priorities.

c. Client Orientation: Ability to understand users' needs and to customize services and products accordingly, in order to provide user-friendly solutions that meet their requirements.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable.

NOTE: "Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

Additional Information Special conditions:

Local recruitment: Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents or have permission to work in Canada.

The individual contractor must be available to work onsite in the CBD Secretariat Office in Montreal, Canada

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.