Individual Contractor for Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Unit

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda. Established to promote the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, UNEP serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The organization is dedicated to coordinating the development of environmental policy consensus, keeping the global environment under review, and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on various environmental issues, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The organization employs a diverse workforce of professionals committed to advancing environmental sustainability and policy development.

Job Overview:
The Individual Contractor will play a crucial role in supporting the UNEP Small Grants Programme, specifically focusing on marine and coastal ecosystems. This position involves liaising with implementing partners to ensure timely reporting and assessing project outputs and impacts. The contractor will also be responsible for organizing learning opportunities, developing resource mobilization proposals, and analyzing the impacts and quality of deliverables. The role requires collaboration with donor partners to provide comprehensive reporting and support the Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Unit in fulfilling its programmatic needs. The contractor will report to the Programme Management Officer and work under the guidance of the Chief of the Marine and Ecosystem Unit, contributing to the overall objectives of conserving and sustainably managing marine and coastal ecosystems.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of the UNEP Small Grants Programmes for marine and coastal ecosystems by liaising with implementing partners for timely reporting and reviewing project outputs and impacts.
• Collaborate with donor partners to ensure complete and timely reporting.
• Organize learning opportunities for implementing partners and develop resource mobilization proposals for the continued implementation and expansion of conservation efforts.
• Regularly analyze impacts, quality of deliverables, and the capacity of partners to deliver as part of the small grants programme.
• Support the Marine and Coastal Ecosystem Unit in reporting to IPMR and other relevant platforms by collating and analyzing inputs and data sets.
• Ensure the publication of the flagship report on indigenous peoples and coral reefs by coordinating the review process and liaising with the UNEP publications board.
• Support unit programmatic needs by producing briefing notes, workshop reports, and meeting reports as requested.
• Compile data on interlinkages between marine ecosystems management, small islands, and climate change activities.
• Establish joint information and outreach strategies among member states to enhance visibility and impact of marine and coastal ecosystem links to climate change. 1
• Collect and analyze data to identify trends and provide insights through data visualization methods.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's Degree or equivalent in project management, environmental management, environmental finance, environmental sciences, marine science, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of two years of relevant working experience in project or programme management within the context of marine ecosystem management and restoration, environmental management, or related fields is required. Additionally, at least two years of experience at the international level is necessary. Experience in project design, management, supervision, monitoring, and evaluation in marine ecosystem management and restoration, as well as familiarity with climate and environment funds, is desirable. Work experience within UN or other international organizations is also preferred.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's Degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as project management, environmental management, environmental finance, environmental sciences, marine science, or related disciplines. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by two additional years of qualifying experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant working experience in project or programme management, specifically in marine ecosystem management and restoration or environmental management. At least two years of experience at the international level is essential, along with experience in project design, management, supervision, monitoring, and evaluation. Familiarity with climate and environment funds in a multi-country context is desirable, as is experience working within UN or other international organizations.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this position, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in French is considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The expected duration of the contract is six months. The position is not specified as full-time or part-time, and there are no additional notes regarding compensation or benefits provided in the job description. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training.