Individual Contractor for Marine and Coastal Ecosystems

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP's Ecosystem Division collaborates with international and national partners to provide technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, thereby strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and those with economies in transition. The Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) is a regional intergovernmental mechanism, one of 18 Regional Seas programmes globally, comprising nine participating countries: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Viet Nam. COBSEA promotes the protection and sustainable development of the marine and coastal environment in the East Asian Seas, focusing on marine pollution, ecosystem-based marine and coastal planning and management, and ocean governance. The COBSEA Secretariat is hosted by Thailand in Bangkok and is administered by UNEP. In April 2023, COBSEA participating countries adopted a Marine and Coastal Ecosystems (MCE) Framework, which guides COBSEA’s efforts on the management of the marine and coastal environment and provides a clear direction to achieving global targets from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM GBF). The MCE framework has established a Working Group on Marine and Coastal Ecosystems (WGMCE) to support the implementation of this framework and exchange best practices among the nine participating countries. UNEP-COBSEA has focused on strengthening the resilience and capacity building of coral reef ecosystems, communities, and economies in various areas in the East Asian Seas, including monitoring and capacity building. Recently, COBSEA, in collaboration with the Coral Triangle Centre and Reef-World Foundation, initiated a project (2023-2025) aimed at enhancing coral reef Marine Protected Area (MPA) management and implementing sustainable tourism standards. The Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) is a 10-year blended finance vehicle that aims to restore coral reef ecosystems and increase resilience in the communities that depend on them. UNEP is currently leading the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework for GFCR and is responsible for evaluating its impact. UNEP will work on building the capacity of convening agents and partners across the entire GFCR portfolio on collecting, measuring, analyzing, and reporting on core M&E indicators, which include social and ecological indicators relevant to coral reefs such as live coral cover, macroalgal benthic cover, and total reef fish biomass. To ensure a strategic approach in conducting such monitoring efforts and to encompass coral reefs beyond GFCR recipients, GFCR and UNEP have agreed to collaborate closely with the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN).

Job Overview:
The Individual Contractor will work under the guidance of the COBSEA Coordinator and in close coordination with the Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Unit. The primary responsibilities include the finalization of the Republic of Korea Official Development Assistance (RoK ODA) Proposal on Coral Voyages for submission through the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR). The contractor will also be involved in proposal development across various ecosystems and habitats, including coral reefs, seagrass, and mangroves, ensuring that ecological connectivity is demonstrated and that the proposals support GFCR indicators. Additionally, the contractor will assist in COBSEA preparations for significant meetings such as UNEA-7, WGMCE-4, and IGM27, enhancing collaboration with GFCR. The role also includes supporting preparations for GFCR Executive Board meetings and contributing to outreach and communication efforts for both COBSEA and GFCR, with a focus on coral reefs and other priority marine and coastal ecosystems. This position is crucial for advancing the goals of COBSEA and GFCR in promoting sustainable marine and coastal management in the East Asian Seas region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Individual Contractor will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:

• Finalizing the RoK ODA Proposal on Coral Voyages for submission through GFCR, ensuring that all necessary components are included and that the proposal meets the required standards.
• Developing proposals across ecosystems and habitats, specifically focusing on coral reefs, seagrass, and mangroves, while demonstrating ecological connectivity and aligning with GFCR indicators.
• Supporting COBSEA preparations for key meetings such as UNEA-7, WGMCE-4, and IGM27, which involves coordinating with various stakeholders and ensuring that all materials and presentations are prepared in advance.
• Assisting in the preparations for GFCR Executive Board meetings, which may include drafting agendas, compiling reports, and facilitating discussions among board members.
• Supporting outreach and communication efforts for both COBSEA and GFCR, which entails creating informative materials, engaging with stakeholders, and promoting awareness of coral reefs and other priority marine and coastal ecosystems.
• Collaborating with the Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Unit to ensure that all activities align with UNEP's broader goals and objectives, particularly in relation to sustainable development and environmental management.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• A completed high school diploma or equivalent is mandatory.
• Additional certification or training in fields such as Arts, Design, Environmental Science, Social Science, Communication, Marine Science, Management, or any related field is highly desirable.
• Supplemental training and certification in website design is also considered advantageous.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in environmental management, sustainable development, policy analysis, technical assistance, and capacity development is required.
• Experience working with government officials and other stakeholders in the East Asian Seas region is desirable, as it demonstrates familiarity with the local context and challenges.
• Previous experience working with UNEP, GFCR, COBSEA, or other Regional Seas programmes is highly desirable, as it indicates an understanding of the organizational structure and objectives.
• Prior experience working for the UN or other international/regional organizations is also desirable, as it reflects the ability to navigate complex organizational environments.
• Strong analytical, research, and report writing skills are essential for the successful completion of the tasks associated with this position.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a completed high school diploma or equivalent. While this is the minimum requirement, candidates with additional certifications or training in relevant fields such as Arts, Design, Environmental Science, Social Science, Communication, Marine Science, or Management will be viewed favorably. Furthermore, candidates with supplemental training and certification in website design will have an added advantage, as this skill may be beneficial for outreach and communication efforts.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have a minimum of two (2) years of experience in relevant fields such as environmental management, sustainable development, policy analysis, technical assistance, and capacity development. This experience should ideally include working with government officials and other stakeholders in the East Asian Seas region, as well as familiarity with UNEP, GFCR, COBSEA, or other Regional Seas programmes. Prior experience working for the UN or other international/regional organizations is also desirable, as it demonstrates the ability to operate within complex organizational structures and understand the nuances of international cooperation.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is required for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization. Additionally, knowledge of a language spoken in the East Asian Seas region is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate better communication and collaboration with local stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for a duration of six months. The United Nations does not charge a fee 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, ensuring that the recruitment process is transparent and free from any financial obligations.