UNEP Marine Migratory Species Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is a leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Established in 1972, UNEP has a mission to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it operates in over 150 countries with a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees. UNEP works with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to address pressing environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices worldwide.

Job Overview:
The UNEP Marine Migratory Species Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the Preparatory Phase of a Regional Programme on Migratory Marine Species in the ROPME Sea Area (RSA). The consultant's primary responsibility will be to develop a robust regional baseline and planning framework through comprehensive assessments, stakeholder consultations, and regional validation. This position requires a strong analytical background and the ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders, including governmental and non-governmental institutions. The consultant will work closely with the CMS Dugong MOU Coordinator and national focal points from participating countries to ensure that all outputs meet high technical quality standards and align with CMS frameworks. The consultant will also be responsible for designing and moderating a consultation workshop to facilitate stakeholder engagement and feedback integration into the final outputs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks, including:

• Reviewing existing global, regional, and national assessments related to migratory marine species and their habitats in the RSA, compiling and synthesizing available data on the status, distribution, key habitats, and threats affecting marine turtles, dugongs, sharks, and rays.
• Supporting national consultations with ROPME Member States, assessing the currency of existing data, identifying gaps, capturing national priorities, and preparing a summary of consultation outcomes.
• Developing a draft regional desk-top baseline report that covers ecological status, threats, policy frameworks, and existing conservation measures, while also identifying key data gaps, capacity needs, and priority areas for intervention.
• Revising and finalizing the baseline report based on feedback received during the regional workshop, ensuring that the report is technically sound, policy-relevant, and aligned with CMS frameworks.
• Developing a draft Regional Roadmap and Action Plan that outlines priority actions, indicative timelines, roles, and responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in marine science, environmental management, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of seven years of proven professional experience in conducting regional assessments and stakeholder consultations is required. Strong analytical and report-writing skills are essential, along with demonstrated experience with multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), United Nations processes, and government policy frameworks. Experience working with marine turtles, dugongs, sharks, and rays is also necessary, and familiarity with the ROPME region is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree in marine science, environmental management, or a related field. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of marine ecosystems and the various factors that impact migratory marine species.

Experience:
The consultant must have a minimum of seven years of professional experience in conducting regional assessments and stakeholder consultations. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the consultant can effectively engage with various stakeholders and produce high-quality deliverables that meet the expectations of the CMS Dugong MOU Coordinator and other relevant parties.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required for this position. This proficiency is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for producing high-quality reports and documentation. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not specified as mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for a duration of five months. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview meetings, processing, or training. Furthermore, the United Nations does not concern itself with information regarding applicants' bank accounts.