Senior Expert in Environmental Economy

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC) Type of contract : Individual Consultant Duration of contract : 3 months (with possibility of extension) Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 15-Aug-2023 (Extended) UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- In Lebanon, site's conservation dates back to 1930's with three national competent authorities leading protection and management actions depending on the nature of the site. Nature Reserves are declared to protect natural habitats, endemic and endangered species through legislative instruments and an Appointed Protected Areas Committees (APAC) to be in charge of these reserves. At present, the national network of Nature Reserves (NRs) embracing 18 sites brings together internationally and regionally designated sites. The sub-programme Lebanese PAs – Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services (LPAs-EVES) is part of the project “*STEPping up Nature Reserves Capacity – STEP4Nature*”. The STEP4Nature project is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in coordination with the Ministry of Environment of Lebanon. The Project aims to strengthen MOE legal and institutional NR framework and improve NR management and monitoring and evaluation plans. STEP4Nature entails also the assessment of NRs vulnerability to climate change and natural hazards risks and the establishment of a knowledge platform on Lebanese NRs. The project will carry out needed natural capital valuation including ecosystem services to better guide NRs managers in their plans and management and conservation practices on the ground. The LPAs-EVES executed by UNDP Lebanon and UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences in the Arab States in Cairo, entails mapping ecosystem services and perform an economic valuation of Ecosystem Services for all types of Protected Areas in Lebanon; revisiting and re-thinking the economic values of ecosystem services as part of a set of key performance indicators on the effective management of fifteen (15) Nature Reserves that have an assigned APAC; assessing and evaluating stakeholder's understanding and perception of Ecosystem Services in 15 PAs; and developing guidelines for evidence-based decisions on Ecosystem Services economic value in Protected Areas. **Assignment** -------------- Within the framework of the Ecology and Earth Sciences Programme of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Sciences in the Arab States in Cairo (UCO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) -Lebanon, under the general guidance of the STEP4Nature Project, the overall supervision of the Director of UCO, and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for Ecology and Earth Sciences at UCO, the Senior Expert in Environmental Economy – shall undertake the following tasks: Long Description ---------------- 1- Attend all mandatory inception working groups sessions to guarantee sufficient capacity and guidance on the data collection methodology, gain knowledge of the tools and instruments developed for field data collection and data entry. 2- Participate in the online Advisory sessions for direction on fieldwork strategy, participatory mapping, and stakeholder meetings. 3- Collaborate closely with the Field Coordinator, adhering to his/her guidance and all provided directives. 4- Identify the adequate direct and indirect valuation methods to be used to estimate the monetary value of the provisioning , supporting , regulating, and cultural services provided by the 18 nature reserves. This might require the definition of the valuation methods based on case-by-case scenario (s) depending on the individual characteristics and attributes of the nature reserves. 5- Review and contribute to the finalization of the survey forms developed by UNESCO/UNDP on Ecosystem Services for data collection. These forms will be handled by selected field data collectors in Lebanon. 6- Analyze the collected data and provide interpretation of the results. The goal is to to develop guidelines for using the values of Ecosystem Services as indicators/Key performance indicators of the management of Nature Reserves in Lebanon. In this assignment, the clusters being targeted are: Cluster 1 \[6 NRs\]: South— Tyre Coast, Aabassiye Coast, Wadi Al-Houjeir, Beit Leef, Kafra, Ramya; Cluster 2 \[3 NRs\]: North—Tannourine Cedars, Horsh Ehden, Palm Islands; Cluster 3 \[3 NRs\]: Jbeil/Kesrouan—Bentael, Mashaa Chnaniir, Jaj Cedars; Cluster 4 \[3 NRs\]: Mount Lebanon/Bekaa: Al Shouf Cedars, Mount Hermon, Yammouneh. **Deliverables** ---------------- - Inception report defining the methodology of work and analysis August 1, 2023 - Revised Survey forms August 15, 2023 - Spreadsheet of the collected data revised August 30, 2023 - Data analysis and interpretation September 15, 2023 - Guidebook on ES indicators and KPI October 30, 2023 **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** ------------------------------------ Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) **-** ----- For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- **Education:** PhD in environmental economy, economy, valuation of natural capital or closely related field. **Work Experience:** Minimum 5 years of relevant professional and research experience focused on two or more of the areas cited below: 1. Ecosystem services valuation 2. Environmental Economy 3. Ecosystem service assessment 4. Natural Capital and Protected Areas 5. Principal investigator of research studies and projects on environmental economy, valuation of ecosystem services and natural capital addressing research analysis and interpretation of hard and soft data **Languages:** Good knowledge of English and Arabic **DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS** ---------------------------- - Professional knowledge about, and direct experience in Payment for Ecosystem Services, Protected Areas management, Effective management standards of Protected areas - Previous experience working with UN agencies. **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** ------------------------------------- Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the [UNESCO careers website.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) No modifications can be made to the application submitted. **Please send your CV with your technical proposal** **(including the methodology of work)** **and financial proposal to " [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])" with the subject " SC/EES Senior Expert in Environmental Economy".** The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. **Footer** ---------- UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States ([last update here](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution)) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.