Individual contractor to support the implementation and administration of the Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House (ABS Clearing-House)

Result of Service To support the implementation and administration of the ABS Clearing-House as key tool to implement the Nagoya Protocol and support the capacity of Parties and other stakeholders to publish and find information on the ABS Clearing House, with a view to increase the participation and the amount of relevant information available in the ABS Clearing-House by COP-MOP 5.

Work Location Montreal

Expected duration 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities Organizational setting

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 196 Parties and and 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 is 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 Nagoya Protocol entered into force in October 2014. The ABS Clearing House established by Article 14 of the Nagoya Protocol is a central component of the Protocol under the responsibility of SCBD. The operationalization of the Nagoya Protocol is dependent on the ABS Clearing-House. Parties to the Nagoya Protocol have the obligation to make information available to the ABS Clearing-House and therefore there is need to continue to improve the usability and functionality of the ABS Clearing-House and build the capacity of Parties and others to use it. The individual contractor will support the Secretariat's work in the administration and implementation of the ABS Clearing-House and report to the Programme Officer responsible in the ABS Unit.

Duties and responsibilities

The incumbent would be responsible of the following tasks:

(a) Support the development of the ABS Clearing-House through conducting usability testing and reporting and tracking bugs and other issues. (b) Support the work to translate ABS Clearing-House into the 6 languages of the United Nations, using Trados and other specialized translation software. (c) Provide technical support to ABS Clearing-House users to publish information and use the ABS Clearing-House through webinars, one-on-one online training sessions and other means. (d) Provide timely follow-up and one-on-one technical assistance, including by responding to inquiries from Parties and others regarding the use of the ABS Clearing-House. (e) Monitor the performance of countries participating in the ABS Clearing-House and review published information. (f) Maintain the database of ABS contacts. (g) Provide logistical and technical assistance for the organization of capacity-building activities for the ABS Clearing-House. (h) Undertake research, draft reports, synthesis documents and communications on the ABS Clearing-House in collaboration with colleagues. (i) Assist in the development of capacity-building and awareness-raising material relating to the ABS Clearing-House. (j) Provide overall support to the implementation and administration of the ABS Clearing-House. (k) Assist in raising awareness and in communication/outreach activities to support ratification and implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. (l) Carry out other activities related to the work of the ABS Unit as may be assigned by the supervisor. (m) Ensures all communications, outputs, services provided are properly categorized, updated, and recorded and that the requisite follow up actions have been initiated with a view to ensure all issues are resolved in a prompt and organized manner. (n) Contributes to and assists in the preparation of relevant official documents, reports, proposals, budgets, notifications, and other relevant materials.

Qualifications/special skills Completion of High school diploma or equivalent is required. University degree in environmental science, social science, communications, information technology or related fields is desirable.

A minimum of three years of work experience in environmental issues, social sciences, communications, information technology or related fields is required.

Ability to write clearly and concisely, for example, experience preparing procedural/technical documentation, manuals, and other guidance for software or websites is required.

Ability to work quickly, accurately, and independently in a fast-paced environment is required.

Familiarity with the administrative procedures of the United Nations, particularly the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as familiarity with the topic of access and benefit-sharing is desirable.

Familiarity with software/website usability testing and bug tracking is desirable.

Ability to engage with stakeholders and government authorities and experience in communication, and awareness-raising is desirable.

Skills: Excellent technical and computer skills required.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is desirable. This work may require communicating with government authorities and stakeholders internationally and knowledge of other languages will be a strong asset.

Additional Information SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Local Recruitment

Applicants must be Canadian residents or citizens or have permission to work in Canada.

Travel as it may be 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.