Executive Secretary of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA)

Job Posting Organization:
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is a global intergovernmental treaty established to promote the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats. The CMS Secretariat, which operates under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), supports various intergovernmental instruments related to migratory species conservation. The CMS Secretariat is located in Bonn, Germany, and oversees several agreements, including the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS), the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), and the Agreement on the Conservation of European Populations of Bats (EUROBATS). The AEWA, which is the largest agreement of its kind under CMS, was concluded in 1995 and aims to achieve a favorable conservation status for migratory waterbird populations. The organization operates with a mission to coordinate environmental policy and address global environmental issues.

Job Overview:
The Executive Secretary of the AEWA is responsible for executing the functions of the Agreement, ensuring its efficient operation, and reporting to the Meeting of the Parties. This role involves representing AEWA at both national and international levels, managing the Secretariat's activities and staff, organizing meetings, and overseeing the implementation of the Agreement. The incumbent will develop proposals to improve the Agreement's implementation, maintain relationships with various stakeholders, and actively pursue outreach activities to enhance the Agreement's profile. The position requires a strong understanding of the AEWA Agreement and the ability to identify and solve problems effectively. The Executive Secretary will also be responsible for data collection and analysis to support decision-making and reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Represent AEWA at national and international levels, liaising with governmental institutions and organizations to encourage support and accession to the Agreement.
• Manage and supervise the Secretariat's activities and staff.
• Organize sessions of the Meeting of Parties and related meetings, providing necessary documentation and services.
• Coordinate the implementation of the Agreement, its budget, and operations, identifying and solving problems.
• Develop proposals to enhance the Agreement's implementation and seek support for related projects.
• Report on progress to the Parties and maintain communication regarding the Secretariat's work.
• Foster relationships with the CMS Executive Secretary and other relevant organizations to enhance synergies.
• Collaborate with financial and personnel management officers on Agreement-related matters.
• Engage with CMS and EUROBATS Executive Secretaries on common concerns. 1
• Pursue outreach activities to raise the Agreement's profile. 1
• Collect and analyze data for insights and reporting. 1
• Perform additional duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in biology, zoology, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">environmental law, environmental management, international relations, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Supplementary training in avian species conservation, conservation biology, environmental policy/management, or international relations is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of the AEWA Agreement and possess problem-solving skills, professionalism, and effective communication abilities.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in relevant fields such as biology, zoology, environmental law, environmental management, or international relations is required. A first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be accepted. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is desirable, along with supplementary courses in conservation-related fields.

Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience in wild species conservation within national or international institutions is required. Candidates should have experience in leading teams in conservation or environmental policy, managing staff and budgets, and developing partnerships for wildlife conservation. Experience in the UN system or similar international organizations is desirable, as is familiarity with Multilateral Environmental Agreements and experience in data analytics.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is desirable, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II. Candidates should demonstrate effective communication skills in both languages, tailored to the audience.

Additional Notes:
The appointment is for an initial period of one year, subject to extension based on the continued existence of the mandate and availability of funding. The position is classified as fixed-term appointment limited (FTA-limited). The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities may be provided upon request. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and candidates are urged to apply online as soon as possible.