Consultant for Marine Food Webs

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is a leading global environmental authority established in 197

• UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it plays a crucial role in coordinating responses to environmental challenges at both global and regional levels. The organization operates in over 150 countries and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to various environmental issues. UNEP's Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) specifically focuses on the protection of the Mediterranean marine and coastal environment, working closely with Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for Marine Food Webs will play a vital role in supporting the implementation of the Ecosystem Approach (EcAp) within the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) of the Mediterranean Sea and Coast. This position involves developing essential guidance materials, including eight Guidance Factsheets for EO4 IMAP Common Indicators, and drafting a regional definition of Good Environmental Status (GES) for EO

• The consultant will also propose targets associated with EO4 and provide technical inputs to support governance discussions within the IMAP/EcAp framework. The work is expected to be home-based and will last for 12 months, requiring collaboration with various stakeholders and participation in relevant meetings to ensure the integration of scientific and technical elements into the IMAP framework.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a comprehensive set of tasks, including: 1) Preparing a detailed work plan with annotations and a timetable for the assignment; 2) Documenting progress and next steps for developing GES definitions and targets for EO4 IMAP Candidate Common Indicators; 3) Developing eight draft Guidance Factsheets (GFS) for the EO4 IMAP Candidate Common Indicators, adhering to the IMAP GFS template; 4) Drafting regional definitions of Good Environmental Status (GES) for EO4 Candidate Common Indicators and associated GES targets; 5) Managing the Online Working Group on Marine Food Webs, participating in virtual meetings, and preparing relevant documents and reports; 6) Revising the Guidance Factsheets to incorporate new GES elements based on consultations; 7) Supporting UNEP/MAP in preparing working documents and providing input for CORMON Biodiversity and Fisheries Meetings; 8) Finalizing the Guidance Factsheets after incorporating feedback from UNEP/MAP governance meetings.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in marine ecology, environmental sciences, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with an additional two years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. A minimum of five years of professional experience in marine environmental assessment, indicator development, or ecosystem-based approaches is required. Demonstrated experience related to marine food webs, ecosystem functioning, or biodiversity assessment is desirable. Candidates should also have proven knowledge of the IMAP/EcAp framework under the Barcelona Convention, excellent drafting skills, and fluency in English (both oral and written). Knowledge of standard office software such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is also necessary.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in marine ecology, environmental sciences, or a related field. In cases where candidates hold a first-level university degree, they must have an additional two years of relevant professional experience to be considered equivalent to an advanced degree.

Experience:
The consultant must have a minimum of five years of professional experience in marine environmental assessment, indicator development, or ecosystem-based approaches. This experience should include demonstrated work related to marine food webs, ecosystem functioning, or biodiversity assessment, which is considered desirable for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English (oral and written) is mandatory for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of French and/or Arabic is desirable, which would enhance communication and collaboration within the diverse stakeholders involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based and expected to last for 12 months. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization also does not require information regarding applicants' bank accounts.