Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030 is a global initiative aimed at inspiring a movement to prevent, halt, and reverse ecosystem degradation worldwide. Established to promote ecosystem restoration, the initiative is supported by a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) that catalyzes local restoration activities and highlights global best practices. The SIDS Coalition for Nature, which launched the SIDS Ecosystem Restoration Flagship in 2022, is co-led by the Governments of St Lucia, Vanuatu, and Comoros, with technical support from UNDESA, UNEP, and FAO. The initiative is funded by the German and Danish governments, emphasizing the integration of marine and coastal ecosystem restoration into economic recovery and growth in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in the SIDS Flagship project, focusing on enhancing the capacities of SIDS to replicate best practices in ecosystem restoration and sustainable blue economy transitions. This position involves conducting national mapping exercises to identify best practices and challenges, organizing peer-learning workshops to raise awareness about the economic potential of restoration, and developing national accelerator roadmaps that outline actionable project concepts. The consultant will facilitate workshops, engage with stakeholders, and ensure that the findings from these activities are effectively communicated and utilized to inform future initiatives. The overarching goal is to unlock the economic potential of ecosystem restoration and support a sustainable blue economy in the targeted SIDS.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct national-level mapping exercises in each of the three target SIDS to identify best practices, tools, and challenges related to ecosystem restoration and sustainable blue economy transitions.
• Organize and facilitate three national peer-learning workshops to raise awareness of restoration's economic potential and validate findings from the mapping exercises.
• Develop three national accelerator roadmaps, each containing a portfolio of up to 10 actionable project concept notes for replicating and scaling identified best practices.
• Lead the organization of an inter-SIDS workshop to share results, lessons learned, and identify cooperation schemes among the three target SIDS.
• Prepare workshop agendas, facilitate discussions, and produce comprehensive reports on the outcomes of the workshops.
• Collaborate closely with the SIDS Flagship project manager and other stakeholders to ensure alignment with national priorities and global goals.
• Perform additional duties as required, related to nature and climate action initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must possess a master’s degree in economics, sustainable development, environmental science, international development, or a related field. A minimum of seven years of experience in sustainable development, particularly in areas related to SIDS and blue economy, is required. The candidate should have proven competency in producing analytical reports and conducting both quantitative and qualitative research. Experience in technical proposal writing and facilitating workshops with diverse stakeholders, including NGOs, communities, and government officials, is essential. Strategic planning and management experience will be considered an asset.

Educational Background:
A master’s degree in a relevant field such as economics, sustainable development, environmental science, or international development is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of ecosystem restoration and sustainable development, particularly in the context of SIDS.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least seven years of relevant experience in sustainable development, with a focus on SIDS and blue economy initiatives. Experience working directly in SIDS is mandatory, as it provides the necessary context and understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by these regions. Proven experience in analytical report production and stakeholder engagement is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English and French is required for this position. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and for the preparation of reports and workshop materials.

Additional Notes:
The expected duration of the consultancy is from March 2, 2026, to December 31, 202

• The position is full-time and involves collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including government entities and international organizations. The consultant will not be charged any fees during the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge applicants at any stage.