Institutional Capacity Development Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes 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 and administers the Nairobi Convention for the Protection, Management and Development of the Coastal and Marine Environment of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). The organization was established to address environmental issues and has a significant presence in multiple countries, working with various stakeholders to promote sustainable practices and policies.

Job Overview:
The position of Institutional Capacity Development Consultant is crucial for supporting the Sustainable Western Indian Ocean Programme (SWIOP) under the Nairobi Convention. The consultant will be responsible for conducting a structured and comprehensive capacity needs assessment for relevant ocean governance actors and developing a capacity building programme to address these needs. The overall objective of the SWIOP is to contribute to the sustainable, productive, and climate-resilient governance and use of the Western Indian Ocean. The consultant will work closely with the Nairobi Convention Secretariat to strengthen regional and national capacities for effective ocean governance. This role involves initial virtual engagement with stakeholders, preparation of training materials, and leading a three-day in-person regional training workshop on ocean governance-related capacity development. The consultant will also produce comprehensive reports on the needs assessment and training workshop, ensuring that the capacity development programme is aligned with the identified priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key responsibilities, including:

• Developing an inception report with a detailed workplan and a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan.
• Collaborating with the Nairobi Convention Secretariat and ocean governance stakeholders to prepare a comprehensive capacity needs assessment report.
• Preparing a capacity development programme to address the identified priorities.
• Developing training materials/tools and leading a three-day in-person regional training workshop on ocean governance-related capacity development.
• Producing a comprehensive workshop report on the training workshop and updating the needs assessment report and capacity development programme with inputs from the workshop. The consultant will also engage with the Regional Ocean Governance Task Force to establish it as a multi-disciplinary advisory body for ROGS implementation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Governance, Natural Resources Management, Education, or similar disciplines. A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in complex national and regional multi-stakeholder change processes at both strategic and technical levels is required, with at least 4 years focused on marine and coastal-related projects. Candidates should have broad knowledge of key ocean governance topics in the Western Indian Ocean region and specific knowledge of the Regional Ocean Governance Strategy. Experience in engaging and working with relevant WIO ocean governance actors, both virtually and in-person, is essential. Expertise in leading complex regional consultation processes, designing capacity building programs, and supporting actors in co-designing implementation structures is also required. Demonstrated competency in technical writing and the ability to work under tight deadlines with minimal supervision is necessary.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, specifically a Master's degree or equivalent, in fields such as Environmental Governance, Natural Resources Management, Education, or related disciplines. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of ocean governance and capacity development in the context of the Western Indian Ocean.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience, with at least 4 years dedicated to marine and coastal-related projects. Candidates should have experience in managing complex national and regional multi-stakeholder processes, demonstrating their ability to navigate the intricacies of environmental governance and capacity building in a collaborative setting. Experience in engaging with ocean governance actors and leading consultation processes is critical for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English is required for this position, as English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is considered an added advantage, as it may facilitate communication with a broader range of stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for a duration of 7 months. The consultant will be required to deliver quality assignments within short timelines and will not be charged any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. The United Nations does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts, ensuring a transparent and fair recruitment process.