Individual Contractor for Nature Action Programme

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system. Established to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus, UN Environment plays a crucial role in keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The organization operates globally, working with international and national partners to provide technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. UN Environment's Ecosystems Division is particularly focused on delivering science-based solutions to prevent, halt, and reverse the decline of nature while fostering sustainable development. The organization is committed to addressing three planetary crises through its Medium-Term Strategy (MTS), which outlines transformative shifts necessary for achieving its objectives. The Nature Action Subprogramme is one of the thematic subprogrammes under the MTS, dedicated to maintaining nature’s contributions to people and sustaining a healthy planet.

Job Overview:
The individual contractor will play a pivotal role in supporting the delivery of the current 2022-2025 MTS Nature Strategic Objective, which emphasizes living in harmony with nature. This position will also support the transition towards the 2025-2029 MTS Nature Strategic Objective, which focuses on achieving land degradation neutrality across land, ocean, and freshwater ecosystems. The contractor will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Nature Action Subprogramme, ensuring alignment with the MTS, and facilitating the drafting of monitoring and reporting frameworks. This role requires a strong focus on portfolio coordination, strategic planning, and the analysis of results to effectively communicate the impact of the subprogramme to Member States and stakeholders. The contractor will work closely with the Nature Action Global Subprogramme Coordinator and will be located in the Ecosystems Division's Director’s Office, contributing to the coherent design and implementation of the subprogramme across various divisions and regional offices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the individual contractor include: 1) Compiling results and validating data for the Nature Action Programme Performance Report (PPR) 2025; 2) Contributing to the strategic coordination of the Nature Action Subprogram internally and across other subprogrammes as the 2026-2029 Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) and Programmes of Work (PoW) implementation begins; 3) Facilitating the drafting of the Nature action monitoring and reporting framework for the 2026-2029 MTS and PoW; 4) Preparing subprogramme inputs to the quarterly reports to the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR), ensuring quality checks and providing recommendations for improvements on draft submissions from Divisions and Regional Offices; 5) Identifying challenges in results and impact reporting and proposing corrective actions to project managers and divisions; 6) Contributing to the coherent design and implementation of the subprogramme across Divisions and Regional Offices; 7) Reviewing project and programme concepts and documents to ensure alignment with MTS Strategic objectives while fostering cross-fertilization and synergies among programmes; 8) Consolidating technical insights, results, and strategic contributions to the UNEP Annual Programme Performance Report 2026.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s University degree, preferably with a specialization in environmental sciences, biodiversity conservation, sustainable management of natural resources, or related areas. A minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in the field of environmental sciences, biodiversity conservation, environmental project management, international development, or related fields is essential. Prior experience with biodiversity and natural resources management projects, particularly in developing countries, is highly desirable. Additionally, experience with the UN system, especially with UNEP, is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as environmental sciences, biodiversity conservation, or sustainable management of natural resources. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of environmental issues and the strategies necessary for effective management and conservation efforts.

Experience:
The role requires a minimum of five years of progressive experience in relevant fields, including environmental sciences, biodiversity conservation, and environmental project management. This experience should ideally include work on biodiversity and natural resources management projects, particularly in developing countries, as well as familiarity with the UN system and UNEP's operations.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required for this position as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The expected duration of the contract is 12 months. The position is full-time, and the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization emphasizes that it does not require information regarding applicants’ bank accounts.