Result of Service

Under the leadership of UNEP and leveraging the experience of the GPI, the “IKI Congo Peatlands” project titled “Securing crucial biodiversity, carbon and water stores in the Congo Basin Peatlands by enabling evidence-based decision making and good governance” supports the governments and stakeholders of the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This project aims to mitigate the climate and development impacts on biodiversity, water and carbon in the Lac Télé/Lac Tumba landscape with a special focus on the peatlands within this region.

Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment”. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UN Environment’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The Global Peatlands Initiative (GPI), led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to develop and implement innovative approaches for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of peatlands. By linking science, practice, and policy making, the GPI harnesses cutting-edge research to drive informed action, build a comprehensive evidence base, and assess the state of the world’s peatlands to secure their protection and restoration for the long term. Due to the enormous amounts of carbon peatlands hold, and the catastrophic consequences of their drainage and degradation, a coalition of over 50 partners and tropical peatland countries has committed to working together to prevent further destruction of peatlands, a collaboration that is gaining international attention. The four peat-rich tropical countries of Indonesia, Peru, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the pilot countries of the Global Peatlands Initiative. Drawing on the expertise of the Initiative’s partners and peatland practitioners, and through a structured South-South cooperation approach, the project supports countries in contributing to major Multilateral Environmental Agreements, integrating peatlands into their Nationally Determined Contributions, and advancing progress toward the SDGs. Under the leadership of UNEP and leveraging the experience of the GPI, the “IKI Congo Peatlands” project titled “Securing crucial biodiversity, carbon and water stores in the Congo Basin Peatlands by enabling evidence-based decision making and good governance” supports the governments and stakeholders of the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This project aims to mitigate the climate and development impacts on biodiversity, water and carbon in the Lac Télé/Lac Tumba landscape with a special focus on the peatlands within this region. The consultant will be located in UN Environment Programme / Ecosystems Division / Biodiversity, People and Landscapes Unit. The consultant will report to Global Peatlands Initiative Coordinator. Tasks and Responsibilities: The consultant will provide specialized technical and peatland-specific expertise to the Biodiversity, People, and Landscapes Unit, supporting the coordination of scientific and flagship reports, as well as the development of science-based products for the Global Peatlands Initiative and the “IKI Congo Peatlands” project, while ensuring effective communication and integration of findings into global peatland monitoring, policy, and mapping efforts to promote the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of peatlands worldwide. Specific duties include the following: 1. Provide technical support to the UNEP-led work packages within the “IKI Congo Peatlands” project scope by integrating its outcomes into planning and policy processes at local, district, and national levels in the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo, promoting sustainable, biodiversity- and climate-friendly management of the Central Congo Basin Peatlands. 2. Contribute to the establishment of the Internationally linked (online) scientific research that includes profiles of experts with scientific, economic and policy expertise in peatlands to facilitate knowledge exchanges in the form of webinars or workshops and where members can access knowledge products including the latest scientific, economic or policy papers and reports. 3. Support the creation of partnerships with the private sector to explore options for innovative financing of Peatlands restoration, conservation and sustainable management. 4. Finalize the coordination, content development, and design of the Global Peatlands Hotspot Atlas (Atlas), in close collaboration with GPI partners, to advance the global monitoring and mapping of peatlands, and publish the Atlas during UNFCCC COP29. 5. Collaborate with UNEP and GPI partners to increase the dissemination and global outreach of the Global Peatlands Assessment (GPA) and the Atlas, ensuring that the findings are communicated in a clear, accessible language to raise awareness among policymakers and the public, foster the development of new research within the scientific community, and strengthen the practical application of these science-based products. 6. Integrate the findings of the GPA and the Atlas to develop and update the Online Global Peatland Map in collaboration with the World Environment Situation Room through the Digital Accelerator Lab, ensuring that the new peatland geospatial data is open and accessible for stakeholders. 7. Conduct a survey to evaluate the progress and implementation of the UNEA4 Peatlands Resolution (UNEP/EA.4/RES.16) among all member states, analyze the findings and prepare a comprehensive final report summarizing the results and assessing the resolution’s impact. 8. Support reporting, training, development and the documentation of lessons learned from the Global Peatlands Initiative and the “IKI Congo Peatlands” project, and the drafting of policy briefs, including overseeing translation and publication processes. 9. Conduct research, coordinate drafting and review of materials and reports to support the implementation and coordination of the GPI Research Working Group. 10. Coordinate targeted training sessions within the GPI Research Working Group, supporting the Evidence Synthesis Programme together with GPI partners to develop peatland policy briefs and facilitate publication. 11. Provide technical support to the GPI’s partner countries to enable the integration of peatlands into relevant national plans and policies. 12. Develop six regional thematic hotspot atlases for the GPI’s partner countries to highlight key issues, threats, and opportunities, based on the data from the GPA and the Atlas to provide a detailed regional analysis of peatland dynamics. 13. Contribute to the design of the GPI 10-year strategy and support the engagement with the donor community to secure sustained funding for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of peatlands in the GPI’s partner countries, while supporting the development of a 10-year GPI strategy aimed at promoting long-term global peatland protection. 14. Contribute to the development of the GPI IKI project Proposal for the 2 year-extension.

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s University degree preferably with a specialization in environmental sciences, conservation biology, sustainable management, or related areas is required A minimum of three (3) years of progressive experience in the field of environmental conservation, scientific research or science to policy work is required. Experience working on peatlands and/or ecosystems as a topic is required Experience with the UN system especially with UNEP and on this issue is highly desirable.

Languages

English and Spanish are working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Spanish (both oral and written) is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.