International processes organization and management Consultant

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The work of the consultant is expected to contribute to facilitate discussions and develop appropriate recommendations by the Subsidiary Body on Implementation under its agenda item on “review of effectiveness of the processes under the Convention and its Protocols”, which ultimately would contribute to the consideration, decision taking, and implementation, as appropriate, by the Conference of the Parties, of measures that improve the effectiveness of processes under the Convention.

Work Location

Montreal duty station

Expected duration

Two 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 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 the 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.

As the COVID-19 pandemic renders physical gatherings impossible, the Secretariat, like many other organizations and processes, had embarked on conducting several of its meetings in a virtual setting. Convening meetings virtually presented its own opportunities and challenges. In its Note submitted to the Subsidiary Body on Implementation at its third meeting, the Executive Secretary provided some information on practice of conducting meetings in a virtual setting, including some relevant experiences and implications on procedure. The Subsidiary Body generally recognized the opportunities and challenges of conducting meetings in a virtual setting, and recommended to the COP, at its fifteenth meeting, to request the Executive Secretary to come up with options in conducting hybrid and virtual meetings. Accordingly, the Conference of the Parties requested, in paragraph 8 of its decision 15/18, the Executive Secretary, to compile views from Parties and relevant stakeholders, and the experience and relevant studies available, especially within the United Nations systems, on conducting virtual and hybrid meetings held in 2021 and 2022, and to prepare options for procedures for such meetings. In the same decision 15/18, the COP also requested the Executive Secretary to prepare, in consultation with Parties, Bureau members, partners and stakeholders, an analysis of options to further improve the effectiveness of meetings under the Convention, including, inter alia, options to improve negotiating processes, to better follow up on previous decisions, to benefit from innovations in decision-making methods and technologies, and to explore modalities for the engagement of observers in processes under the Convention.

The consultant, is expected to gather the views of Parties and stakeholders or use the views already gathered and compiled by the Secretariat and prepare options for procedures for conducting hybrid and virtual meetings (Task 1); and to conduct consultations, as arranged or proposed by the Secretariat, with Parties, Bureau members, partners and stakeholders, and prepare an analysis of options to further improve the effectiveness of meetings under the Convention, including, inter alia, options to improve negotiating processes, to better follow up on previous decisions, to benefit from innovations in decision-making methods and technologies, and to explore modalities for the engagement of observers in processes under the Convention (Task 2).

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the overall guidance of the Head of the Legal and Intergovernmental Affairs Unit of the Secretariat, and in close collaboration with the Legal Officer, the consultant will be responsible for performing the following duties:

Task 1:

a. Review and synthesize the views received from Parties and relevant stakeholders and the experience and relevant studies available, especially within the United Nations system, on conducting virtual and hybrid meetings held in 2021 and 2022. b. Prepare options for procedures for the conduct of hybrid and virtual meetings. c. In preparing the options for procedure referred to in b above, take into account the specific challenges faced by delegations with network and connectivity difficulties, especially by developing country Parties, in particular the least developed and small island developing States among them, and Parties with economies in transition, as well as indigenous peoples and local communities and observers, and by those delegations from countries where meetings are scheduled at difficult times, addressing issues about equity.

Task 2:

a. Carry out consultations, including through a survey using questionnaire, with Parties to the Convention, Bureau members, CBD partners and stakeholders, on how to improve the effectiveness of meetings under the Convention, including on options: i) to improve negotiating processes, ii) to better follow up on previous decisions, iii) to benefit from innovations in decision-making methods and technologies, and iv) to explore modalities for the engagement of observers in processes under the Convention on Biological Diversity, while ensuring that the rules of procedure of the Convention are respected. b. Analyze the views and information gathered under Tasks 1 and 2 and prepare draft document that adequately respond to paragraphs 8 and 10 of decision 15/18 of the COP. c. Undertake other related and relevant tasks as required.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic qualifications

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law, policy and institutions, project management, political science and international relations, or other related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Working experience

At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in programme or project management is required.

Knowledge or experiences in the following areas are desirable:

• Managing or participating in intergovernmental processes or related processes and familiarity with CBD processes;
• Planning, coordinating, and facilitating international conferences is also desirable;
• Coordinating or facilitating virtual meetings; and
• Establishing and maintaining partnerships with various stakeholders.

Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills is required.
• Ability to work both independently and as an active member of a team is required.
• Ability to align multiple strategies and ideas is desirable.
• Ability to prioritize, multitask and manage time efficiently 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. For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) 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 Consultant must be available to work onsite in the CBD Secretariat Office in Montreal, Canada. Commuting/travelling costs to and from the Secretariat are not reimbursed.

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.