Consultant for Conservation Priorities for Sharks and Rays in Oceania

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 several agreements, including the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS), the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA), and the Agreement on the Conservation of European Populations of Bats (EUROBATS). The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) plays a crucial role in addressing environmental issues globally and regionally, coordinating the development of environmental policy consensus and ensuring that emerging issues are brought to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP administers the CMS, AEWA, ASCOBANS, and EUROBATS Secretariats, facilitating international cooperation for the conservation of migratory species, including sharks and rays in the Oceania region.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to prioritize conservation activities for shark and ray species listed in Annex 1 of the Sharks Memorandum of Understanding (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 work will involve developing an inception report, applying specific methodologies for prioritization, conducting vulnerability and risk assessments, and preparing a draft consultation report that outlines regional and subregional priorities for conservation. The consultant will also engage with various stakeholders to solicit input and finalize the report, ensuring that recommendations address all aspects of the Sharks MOU Conservation Plan.

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 shark and ray species in Oceania for approval by the Secretariat.
• 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 for the Oceania region, potentially subdividing the region into meaningful subregions.
• Conduct assessments, including vulnerability assessments for listed shark and ray species and risk assessments, as feasible and within budget.
• Prepare a draft consultation report outlining regional and subregional priorities for the conservation and management of Shark MOU Annex 1-listed sharks and rays, in alignment with the Sharks MOU Conservation Plan.
• Develop regional species fact sheets for shark and ray species listed in Annex 1 of the Sharks MOU that occur in the region, to be included as an annex to the report.
• Engage with the Secretariat, Sharks MOU Advisory Committee, relevant Signatories, and SPREP to solicit input and comments on the draft report.
• Consolidate comments and develop a final report with clear recommendations for priority actions, addressing all aspects of the Sharks MOU Conservation Plan.
• 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 in lieu of an advanced degree. A PhD in a relevant field is desirable. A minimum of two 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 and requirements in the Oceania region is essential.

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 two additional years of qualifying experience. A PhD in a relevant field is considered an asset.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional experience in conservation planning, project management, and international conservation policy. Candidates should have substantial experience 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 other languages relevant to the study area would be beneficial, enhancing communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 7 months on a part-time basis. 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. Additionally, the organization does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.