Lead Author on Biodiversity - Kuwait State of Environment Report

Result of Service Final text of the chapter as a Word document (30-40 pages), including raw data, figures, photo captions, credit information, etc

Work Location KUWAIT

Expected duration 4 months

Duties and Responsibilities 1. Organizational Setting, Purpose and Objective: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. The Regional Office for West Asia delivers advisory services and capacity building support to countries to achieve environment and sustainable development objectives. State of the environment reporting (SOER) represents an instrumental way of developing and communicating environmental information to decision makers. SOER can also provide an early warning of emerging environmental problems (Emerging Issues); and identify knowledge and information deficiencies impeding the understanding and interpretation of environmental conditions and trends. In this context, the Kuwait Environment Public Authority (KEPA) recognized the importance of developing a state of environment report which will be an important pillar for setting a baseline for all future environmental policies and strategies in Kuwait. Building on a long-lasting relationship between UNEP and KEPA, both partners are collaborating to produce the first State of Environment Report using the methodology adopted by UNEP known as the Integrated Environmental Assessment and the Drivers-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework. The report will include five priority themes: Air, Biodiversity, Coastal and Marine, Water Resources; and Land and Soil. Each theme will be addressed using the DPSIR framework in a separate chapter led by a leading author with contributions from experts who will be nominated by KEPA. The lead author will be responsible for drafting the whole chapter. The objective of the consultancy is to recruit a Lead Author for the Biodiversity Chapter which is expected to be 30-40 pages and covering the following items: 1. Main Messages 2. Pressures, including but not limited to: Land-use change and Habitat loss; Pollution (land and marine); Overexploitation and unsustainable use; Tourism development; Energy Development and Invasive alien species. 3. State Species and Marine Habitat; Species and Terrestrial Habitat and Protected Areas 4. Impacts Discuss the impacts of the above threats into the main ecosystems in Kuwait 5. Response National policies to managing Kuwait’s Biodiversity. 6. References The Consultant will report to the Science Programme Coordinator at UNEP West Asia Office.

2. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Science Regional Coordinator in UNEP West Asia Office, the Lead Author will take the overall responsibility for drafting the Biodiversity Chapter to given deadlines and according to the agreed outline and UNEP’s referencing and style guide. It is anticipated that the Lead Author will ensure that each chapter follows the DPSIR Framework. In addition, once the draft chapters are developed and endorsed by the chief editor, the whole draft report will be submitted to different stakeholders to review and validate the information provided in each chapter. As such, the second part of this consultancy will be dedicated to revise the chapters to accommodate the comments once received. The Consultant will carry-out, inter alia, the following duties & responsibilities: - Take the overall responsibility for drafting the Chapter to given deadlines and according to the agreed outline and UNEP’s referencing and style guide; - Actively participate in project meetings and workshops and work closely with the UNEP’s Science Regional Coordinator to provide oversight of the chapter; - Gather and analyse update and relevant information, knowledge and data required for the chapter (UNEP & KEPA will provide additional support to collect data and information once gaps are clearly identified by the consultant); - Apply the DPSIR framework to the analysis of issues, trends and recommendations for actions; - Ensure that manuscript is completed to a high standard, and delivered to UNEP West Asia Office in a timely manner and conform to the UNEP’s guidelines for scientific credibility; - Develop text that is scientifically, technically and socio-economically sound incorporating contributions by the Contributing Authors; - Ensure that any crosscutting scientific or technical issues, which may involve several chapters are addressed in a complete and coherent manner; - Take responsibility for referring any scientific credibility issues such as uncertainties and use of grey literature to UNEP’s Science Regional Coordinator; and - Ensure that all review comments are dealt with according to specific guidelines.

Qualifications/special skills Master’s (or higher) in Environmental Sciences or fields related to Biodiversity or equivalent At least 10 years of proven experience in Biodiversity, environmental assessment; and familiarity with the Integrated Environmental Assessment (IEA) methodology and DPSIR framework is required; Previous working experience with recent Global Environment Outlooks (GEO) is an asset; Knowledge of the Kuwait context is required Strong research and excellent technical writing skills in Arabic is required.

Languages Fluency in written and spoken Arabic is required, proficiency in English is preferred.

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.