Consultant for Conservation of Sharks MOU

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. It also provides administrative functions for agreements such as ASCOBANS, AEWA, and EUROBATS. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) plays a crucial role in coordinating environmental policy and addressing global environmental issues, ensuring that emerging challenges are brought to the attention of governments and the international community.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to prioritize conservation activities for sharks and rays listed in Annex 1 of the Sharks MOU within the Oceania region. The consultant will provide actionable, science-based recommendations to Oceania Signatories, aligning with the existing Conservation Plan and Programme of Work under the Sharks MOU. The role involves developing an inception report, applying specific methodologies for prioritization, conducting vulnerability and risk assessments, and preparing consultation reports that outline regional priorities for conservation. The consultant will engage with various stakeholders to solicit input and finalize recommendations for priority actions, ensuring that all aspects of the Sharks MOU Conservation Plan are addressed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop an inception report detailing steps, timelines, risks, and a draft structure for the report on regional and subregional priorities for the conservation of Shark MOU Annex 1-listed species in Oceania.
• Apply the methodology outlined in CMS/Sharks/MOS4/Doc.10.5 and the Advisory Committee’s prioritization matrix to identify priority species and conservation actions, potentially subdividing the region into meaningful subregions.
• Conduct assessments, including vulnerability and risk assessments for listed shark and ray species, as feasible and within budget.
• Prepare a draft consultation report outlining regional and subregional priorities for conservation and management of Shark MOU Annex 1-listed species.
• Develop regional species fact sheets for shark and ray species listed in Annex 1 of the Sharks MOU.
• Engage with the Secretariat, Sharks MOU Advisory Committee, relevant Signatories, and SPREP for input on the draft report.
• Consolidate comments and develop a final report with clear recommendations for priority actions.
• Suggest improvements for future methodological iterations of prioritization exercises.

Required Qualifications:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental science, marine biology, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in conservation planning, project management, and international conservation policy is required, with substantial experience related to the conservation of sharks and rays. Knowledge of conservation priorities in the Oceania region is also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental science, marine biology, or a related field. A first-level university degree may be accepted if combined with sufficient relevant experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in conservation planning, project management, and international conservation policy. Candidates should have substantial experience specifically related to the conservation of sharks and rays, including assessing their conservation needs and formulating international or regional conservation measures.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Competence in additional languages relevant to the case-study areas would be advantageous.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 8 months, with a part-time assignment requiring 60 days of work within this period. The position is remote, and there are no fees associated with the recruitment process. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of recruitment, and it does not request information regarding applicants’ bank accounts.