Technical Specialist – Environmental (Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Specialist) - Retainer

Mid Senior Environment

Overview

Support the Global Programme on Nature for Development with stakeholder engagement and knowledge management tasks.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) preferably in environmental conservation, science, development, education, sustainable development, international relations, or research around topics prioritized by the Global Programme on Nature for Development with five (5) years of relevant experience is required; OR First-level university degree (Undergraduate, Bachelor or equivalent) with seven (7) years of relevant experience.
• Relevant experience is defined as working experience on at least one of the following topics at a conceptual or practical level: public policy, environmental policy, education, natural resource management, biodiversity/climate change; local economic development; stakeholder, or private sector engagement and education; environmental education; generating reports.
• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.
• Fluency in a second official UN language is desirable.

Contract

This is a IICA-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management. The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement the project activities for the Global Programme on Nature for Development.

UNDP’s Global Programme on Nature for Development brings together three different initiatives -- the Equator Initiative, the National Biodiversity Initiative, and the Global Forest Initiative (New York Declaration on Forests Global Platform) under one program in order to identify, foster, showcase and celebrate nature-based solutions that help achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at local, national, and international levels. The work of the Global Programme on Nature for Development contributes to UNDP's Strategic Plan 2018-2021 by charting sustainable development pathways through the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of biodiversity and ecosystems; and by promoting inclusive and effective democratic governance in the area of natural resources.

The Equator Initiative brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. The Equator Initiative seeks to:

• Recognize the success of local and indigenous initiatives.
• Create opportunities and platforms to share knowledge and good practice.
• Inform policy to foster an enabling environment for local and indigenous community action.
• Develop the capacity of indigenous peoples and local communities to scale-up their impact.

The National Biodiversity Initiative supports countries to manage their ecosystems and biodiversity in order to improve national planning and governance of biodiversity, ecosystems, and development, and to promote resilience for sustainable development. The GEF Enabling Activities Project supports developing, middle income, and small island nations in their commitments to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): early action on the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), National Reporting. The use of spatial data for spatial planning is a cross-cutting theme across these project areas, including work through our flagship platform UN Biodiversity Lab (UNBL) and to map Essential Life Support Areas (ELSAs). The UNBL, created in partnership with UN Environment and the CBD Secretariat provides policymakers with access to 100 of the world’s best spatial datasets on nature, climate, and sustainable development for planning, monitoring, and reporting. Building on this base, our work to map ELSAs brings together the world’s best scientists and governments in 11 pilot countries to use spatial data to identify where nature-based actions to protect, manage, or restore ELSAs can deliver efficiently across national priorities for biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development. A nascent area of work is building the spatial literacy of Indigenous peoples and local communities and ensuring their participation in spatial planning.

Knowledge Sharing is a main goal of the Equator Initiative, Learning for Nature and the National Biodiversity Initiative. The Equator Initiative has a large series of research papers, books, and other publications focusing on local approaches to poverty reduction and conservation, informed by community-based initiatives.180 case studies in over 30 languages have documented the Equator Prize winners’ innovative practices that deliver the win-win-win solutions that ensure social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The National Biodiversity Initiative share knowledge on the role of spatial data in biodiversity planning, policymaking, and reporting through blogs, case studies, and story maps.

Learning for Nature is a capacity-building offer provided by the Global Programme on Nature for Development, cutting across the three areas of work. This project connects biodiversity policymakers, change-makers, and on-the-ground subject matter experts to facilitate the delivery of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Access to the global multi-stakeholder networks mobilized by the Equator Initiative, Learning for Nature, and the National Biodiversity Initiative allows Learning for Nature to circulate knowledge while promoting best practices. Building on our learnings on the ground, Learning for Nature seeks synergies, build linkages, and engage thousands of course participants through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), webinars, self-paced e-learning modules, and private training courses.

For further information please go

to: www.equatorinitiative.org, www.nbsapforum.net, www.learningfornature.org, www.unbiodiversitylab.org

This is a position to support a project which UNOPS is implementing for the United Nations Development Programme.

The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Functional Responsibilities

The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership is a country-led global initiative to support the development and implementation of ambitious National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) and collectively achieve the goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and, ultimately, the global vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050. Under the leadership of the governments of Colombia and Germany, the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership brings together countries with a Whole of Government and a Whole of Society approach to strengthen global, regional, and national ambition on biodiversity action. The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership is raising the profile of NBSAPs and promoting nature-positive action, fast tracking implementation support through a matchmaking service, increasing access to expertise, knowledge, and capacity development and providing coordination and facilitation support to countries/regions.

UNOPS is seeking a Technical Specialist – Environmental (Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Specialist) to advance the Global Programme on Nature for Development’s work with the effective delivery of assigned tasks below.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Prepare briefings and presentations to highlight partnership opportunities for internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitor emerging trends and best practices in stakeholder engagement to enhance the Partnership’s outreach strategies.
• Coordinate with internal teams to align stakeholder strategies with overall program goals.
• Identify and leverage synergies between different stakeholder groups to maximize impact.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key partners to ensure long-term collaboration.
• Organize roundtables and networking sessions to strengthen private sector and cross-sector partnerships.
• Support Draft policy briefs and position papers to influence national and international biodiversity agendas.
• Represent the Partnership in relevant stakeholder forums and multi-stakeholder working groups to increase visibility and strategic alignment.
• Develop and maintain a repository of knowledge resources that can be easily accessed by team members.
• Organize knowledge-sharing sessions to promote the effective use of resources across the Partnership.
• Contribute to the development of guidance materials to enhance the understanding of complex biodiversity concepts.
• Integrate principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into knowledge management tools and content development.
• Create learning materials and knowledge products to support ongoing capacity building.
• Develop impact stories and case studies to capture and share best practices.
• Collaborate with external experts to incorporate cutting-edge insights into knowledge resources.
• Design and launch digital knowledge campaigns (e.g., infographics, social media explainers, e-newsletters) to broaden outreach and engagement.
• Prepare case studies and success stories to showcase effective private sector partnerships.
• Engage in regular dialogue with private sector representatives to align their goals with the Partnership’s objectives.
• Explore potential funding and co-financing mechanisms with private sector partners.
• Develop customized engagement plans for high-priority private sector partners.
• Monitor industry trends and identify emerging opportunities for collaboration.
• Coordinate the creation of user guides and training materials for platform users.
• Facilitate workshops and feedback sessions to ensure the platform meets the needs of diverse users.
• Collaborate with developers to address technical challenges and improve platform performance.
• Conduct user journey mapping to enhance the platform’s usability and user experience.
• Develop metrics to assess user satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.
• Coordinate with content creators to ensure platform materials are clear, engaging, and impactful.

Monitoring and Progress Controls The assignment is supervised by the Manager of the Global Programme on Nature for Development.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY *CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Education - Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) preferably in environmental conservation, science, development, education, sustainable development, international relations, or research around topics prioritized by the Global Programme on Nature for Development with five (5) years of relevant experience is required; OR - First-level university degree (Undergraduate, Bachelor or equivalent) preferably in environmental conservation, science, development, education, sustainable development, international relations, or research around topics prioritized by the Global Programme on Nature for Development with seven (7) years of relevant experience.

Required Work Experience - Relevant experience is defined as working experience on at least one of the following topics at a conceptual or practical level: public policy, environmental policy, education, natural resource management, biodiversity/climate change; local economic development; stakeholder, or private sector engagement and education; environmental education; generating reports.

Languages - Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required. - Fluency in a second official UN language is desirable.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) - Retainer modality Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA-2) or Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA-10)

Contract duration: 6 months with the possibility of extension subject to good performance, availability of funds, organizational requirements and the duration of the project.

Even though the level of the position is indicated as IICA-2, depending on the incumbent's personal situation (candidate with national ID or resident permit), a local fee scale (LICA-10) might be applied in determining the contractor's fee.

A retainer contract is issued for a period of time during which the services of the individual contractor are required intermittently. The individual contractor agreement on retainer basis will specify a “unit price” per day worked. For budgetary purposes, a monetary cap will be determined when the contract is awarded and issued. Please note that the retainer contract will not provide for a minimum, and payment will be made only after completion of work.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org