Senior Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda. Established in 1972, UNEP 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. The organization operates in over 150 countries and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable development. UNEP's mission is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

Job Overview:
The Senior Consultant will play a crucial role in delivering a high-quality, evidence-based, and policy-relevant G7 Nature Compact Progress Review for the period of 2021 to 202

• This position requires a high level of analytical, technical, and coordination support to UNEP, focusing on the preparation of a concise assessment of collective progress and actionable recommendations that will guide future implementation towards the 2030 targets. The consultant will lead the analytical framework, ensuring methodological rigor, and coordinate inputs from UNEP divisions and external partners to prepare a synthesis report that is both concise and relevant to policy-makers. The role is home-based and expected to last for four months, requiring a commitment to high-quality outputs that align with UNEP's objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Consultant will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Technical Guidance and Analytical Leadership: Leading the design and implementation of the analytical framework for the progress review, ensuring coherence with the G7 Nature Compact's four pillars: transition, investment, conservation and restoration, and accountability. Providing expert guidance on data sources, indicators, and assessment criteria, ensuring consistency with global biodiversity, climate, and pollution monitoring frameworks. Advising on data quality and interpretation to ensure credibility and transparency.
• Evidence Review and Assessment: Conducting a desk-based review of existing global and G7-relevant reports and data sources, synthesizing trends, progress, and gaps across the G7's commitments. Overseeing the preparation of an evidence matrix mapping key actions and obstacles in each thematic area of the Compact.
• Consultations and Stakeholder Engagement: Coordinating targeted consultations with experts and stakeholders to validate findings and ensure methodological alignment. Supporting UNEP in organizing consultation sessions to capture insights and best practices.
• Analysis, Integration and Drafting: Leading the integration of findings across biodiversity, climate, and pollution dimensions, drafting analytical sections of the progress review, and developing recommendations for collective action.
• Validation and Finalisation: Preparing materials for validation discussions, revising the draft report based on feedback, and finalizing the synthesis report.
• Coordination and Knowledge Management: Working closely with UNEP's cross-divisional task team to ensure coordination across various streams and providing periodic updates to facilitate internal communication.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental policy, international relations, economics, sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, or a closely related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental policy analysis, international cooperation, or sustainable development is required. Demonstrated experience in integrating biodiversity, climate, and pollution policy is essential, along with experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder consultations and supervising research staff or consultants. Proven experience in leading analytical reports for major international processes is also required, along with familiarity with international finance for nature and sustainable economic transitions.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as environmental policy, international relations, economics, sustainable development, or biodiversity conservation is required. A first-level university degree may be accepted with additional qualifying experience.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental policy analysis, international cooperation, or sustainable development. Experience in biodiversity, climate, and pollution policy integration is required, along with a proven track record in coordinating consultations and supervising research staff.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory. Knowledge of any other UN language is considered desirable, enhancing the candidate's profile for this position.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and expected to last for four months. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not required to provide any financial information or bank account details.