National Technical Assistant - Level A

Result of Service The Consultant is expected to complete all tasks, as specified in the above section - Duties and Responsibilities by ensuring comprehensive collection and assessment of information on biodiversity and ecosystem services in order to:

- Revise the status of the existing coastal Protected Areas; - Identify and establish nationally and globally significant marine and coastal sites that are important for biodiversity conservation; - Contribute to the establishment of the first marine Protected Areas and to the efficient management of existing coastal PAs and prospective C/MPAs.

Work Location Podgorica, Montenegro

Expected duration The expected duration of the assignment is about 6 months, from 07 July until 31 December 2022 on a part-time basis. The total amount of 4,500 EUR will be paid in 6 instalments of 750.00 EUR upon submission of a brief report on the progress concerning the expected deliverables.

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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. Under its Western Balkan portfolio, it facilitates the implementation and execution of numerous projects pertaining to climate change, biodiversity protection, land degradation and other environmental related aspects.

In particular, United Nations Environment, Programme Office in Vienna is currently starting to execute a GEF funded project “Promoting Protected Areas Management through Integrated Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Protection in Coastal Area of Montenegro”, whose overall objective is to improve the conservation and sustainable use of coastal and marine biodiversity through effective management of the coastal and marine protected areas (C/MPAs) subsystem by addressing institutional and financial sustainability. The project’s intervention strategy builds on the assumption that effective management and ecosystem representation of the coastal and marine protected area (C/MPA) subsystem needs to be ensured through addressing its institutional and financial sustainability. By ensuring comprehensive collection and assessment of information on biodiversity and ecosystem services in order to firstly revise the status of the existing coastal PAs and secondly, identify and establish nationally and globally significant marine and coastal sites that are important for biodiversity conservation, the project will establish the first marine PAs and secure the efficient management of existing coastal PAs and prospective C/MPAs.

The Consultant will carry out the following duties:

• Contribute to the project implementation with state project partners, to streamline technical requirements and to support efficient project implementation,
• Contribute to the team of experts that will be engaged, and when appropriated facilitate the development of the following project outputs:

o Identification and assessment of representative C/MPAs, o Establishment of comprehensive Database on the status of coastal and marine ecosystem, o Contribute to the interface for protection biodiversity assets and harmonization of development plans, o Identification of government needs (including technical, human resources and legislation needs) for successful management of C/MPAs, o Establishment of the Working group for project implementation, o Development of the Communication Strategy to ensure outreach on the activities and benefits from the project, o Contribute to the Ministry of Ecology, Spatial Planning and Urbanism for submission for adoption of the necessary documents for the Revision of existing Coastal PAs, o Development of Management Plans for 3 new C/MPAs with Integrated Financial Strategy to reduce financial gaps, o Technical and administrative support for project partners, o Receive and implement guidance from the Project Steering Committee (PSC), o Contribute to the PSC, including organization, communication and preparation of all meeting documentation, o Liaise, consult and network with national partner organizations, o Establish an effective outreach and engagement strategy, including training and communication activities, promotion of project visibility and effective collection of documentation and dissemination of project results and lessons learned, o Actively promote the project and its components in all relevant media, o Organize the preparation of periodical consolidated substantive reports including necessary inputs for financial reports and annual PIRs (Programme Implementation Reports) for UN Environment and the GEF.

Qualifications/special skills Competency: Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgement in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Academic Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in environmental studies or other related disciplines to the project is required. Experience: - Minimum of three years of work experience in project work related to nature protection and project implementation and/or project management, with a proven track record of achieving results is required, - Experience in implementation of project on environmental issues with different stakeholders in Montenegro is required, - Experience in implementation of international donors’ projects activities is desirable, Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, in oral and written fluency in English and Serbian/Montenegrin 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.