Contractor for Rabies in European Bats Leaflet Update

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, located in Bonn, Germany, supports various intergovernmental instruments aimed at migratory species conservation. Among these are two regional agreements: the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and the Agreement on the Conservation of European Populations of Bats (EUROBATS). EUROBATS, which was concluded in 1991, currently has 38 Parties and covers a total of 63 range states across Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. The mission of EUROBATS is to protect all 55 species of bats identified in its Agreement Area through legislation, education, conservation measures, and international cooperation among member states and non-member countries. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) serves as the designated entity within the UN system for addressing environmental issues globally and regionally, coordinating the development of environmental policy consensus and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

Job Overview:
The contractor will be responsible for updating the text of the leaflet titled 'Rabies in European bats. Information for professionals, volunteers and stakeholders' to reflect the latest scientific literature and ensure that all translations are accurate and up-to-date. This task involves conducting an academic review of the manuscript and collaborating with translators of various language versions, including French, German, Spanish, Italian, Norwegian, Ukrainian, and others. The contractor will report to the Programme Officer at the EUROBATS Secretariat upon completion of the work, ensuring that the updated text is submitted by the deadline of April 15, 202

• This role is crucial for maintaining the integrity and relevance of the information provided to stakeholders involved in bat conservation and public health.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct an academic review of the manuscript 'Rabies in European bats. Information for professionals, volunteers and stakeholders' to ensure it reflects the most current scientific literature.
• Update the English text of the leaflet in accordance with the findings from the review.
• Liaise with translators of the French, German, Spanish, Italian, Norwegian, Ukrainian, and other language versions to ensure that all translations are revised and corrected following the 2026 update.
• Submit the amended English text to the EUROBATS Secretariat by the specified deadline.
• Report progress and completion of tasks to the Programme Officer at the EUROBATS Secretariat.
• Ensure that all updates are consistent with the objectives of the CMS and EUROBATS regarding the conservation of bats and public health.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in biology or medicine is required.
• A first-level university degree combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in studies related to bats and public health issues is required.
• Proven experience in writing and editing academic manuscripts is essential.
• Expertise in projects related to bats and rabies is required.
• Experience in preparing layouts for scientific publications is necessary.
• Previous educational publications on bats and public health issues are highly desirable, and references to such works should be provided if available.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in biology or medicine. Alternatively, a first-level university degree along with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of bat biology and public health issues related to rabies.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in studies concerning bats and public health issues. Candidates should have a strong background in writing and editing academic manuscripts, as well as expertise in projects specifically addressing the problems associated with bats and rabies. Experience in preparing scientific publications is also essential, ensuring that the contractor can effectively communicate complex information to a professional audience.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as the contractor will be working with English texts and translations. Knowledge of other UN languages is considered desirable, which may enhance communication with international stakeholders and facilitate the translation process.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote and is expected to last for a duration of three days. There are no fees associated with the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge applicants at any stage, including application, interview, or training. The organization emphasizes that it does not require any information regarding applicants' bank accounts.