Result of Service

The ultimate result of the service is to deliver the final evaluation of the MSSD 2016-2025 as key milestone at the end of the 2016-2025 cycle of the MSSD implementation, that will provide the evidence for the follow up phases of the MSSD renewal process.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

8 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. 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 advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) is one of the UNEP’s Regional Seas Programs encompassing a comprehensive system of activities for the protection and the sustainable development of the Mediterranean region based on a legal framework (the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols). The Convention involves the 21 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea as well as the European Union. The consultancy assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), Athens, Greece. The Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development1 (MSSD) 2016-2025, “Investing in environmental sustainability to achieve social and economic development”, was adopted with Decision IG.22/2 by the 19th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP 19) (Athens, Greece, 9-12 February 2016) as a strategic, non-legally binding instrument for all stakeholders and partners to translate the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) at Mediterranean level, based on the shared vision of “a prosperous and peaceful Mediterranean region in which people enjoy a high quality of life and where sustainable development takes place within the carrying capacity of healthy ecosystems”, and implemented through a composite framework of six Objectives, Strategic Directions, Regional and National Actions, Targets and Flagship Initiatives. In order to enhance the MSSD impact and development during its second phase of implementation (2021-2025), the 18th Meeting of the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development (MCSD) (Budva, Montenegro, 11-13 June 2019), decided to launch the MSSD mid-term evaluation in the biennium 2020-2021, and based on the MSSD implementation data related to the first implementation phase (2016-2020). The results of the MSSD Mid-Term Evaluation, highlighted a number of achievements, gaps, challenges, opportunities and recommendations to advance the MSSD implementation during its second phase of implementation. The 20th Meeting of the MCSD of 14-16 June 2023 provided recommendations to further strengthen its impact and outreach, and equally welcomed the proposal to launch, in the biennium 2024-2025, the review process of the MSSD 2016-2025 for endorsement to the COP 24 and supported by a final, qualitative and quantitative, evaluation of the MSSD. The MCSD equally noted that the MSSD final evaluation and review process should be aligned with relevant global processes and should make use of the outcomes of the mid-term evaluation of the MSSD, of the MED 2050 Foresight Study, the MedECC Special Report on Climate and Environmental Coastal Risks, of the 2023 Mediterranean Quality Status Report as well as of the results deriving from the population of the MSSD Dashboard indicators. At global level, it should be assessed how the MSSD was and will be aligned with and contribute to the implementation of the most recent commitments and targets, as well as to the relevant policy and cooperation frameworks, initiatives and programmes at regional level​ in order to further enhance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at Mediterranean level. Under the overall guidance of the UNEP/MAP Coordinator and direct supervision of the UNEP/MAP Programme Management Officer in charge of Socio-Economic and Sustainable Development, and in coordination with the Director of Plan Bleu, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Prepare a detailed work plan and timetable; 2. Define the methodology of the final ​qualitative and quantitative ​evaluation, inclusive of all the listed tasks and outputs, and including: 2.1If relevant, the updated list of sources of information, in addition to the most recent and relevant UNEP/MAP reports and assessments, frameworks and commitments at global and regional levels, based on the non-exhaustive lists provided respectively in Annexes II and III 2.2 The list of stakeholders to be consulted​ ​ 2.3 The stakeholders’ consultation approach and indicative timeline​ ​ 2.4 An initial draft table of contents of the MSSD final evaluation report​ ​ 3. Assess the thematic gaps, challenges, opportunities and achievements identified by the 2021 MSSD Mid-Term Evaluation Report, against the information provided by the most recent relevant UNEP/MAP reports and assessments and the global and regional frameworks and commitments, including information collected through agreed missions; 4. Evaluate the status of implementation of the MSSD flagship initiatives and update their factsheets as needed be; 5. Elaborate a first draft of potential updated structure of the MSSD as needed be​, ​ including potential synergies between indicators and the associated flagships initiatives, also based on the MSSD dashboard qualitative and quantitative evaluation Plan Bleu will develop; ​ ​ 6. In coordination with the Secretariat, use the outcomes of the tasks (1)-(5) to: 6.1 Undertake the preparation of consultation documents/materials to regularly gather feedback from the UNEP/MAP System, MCSD Members, Observers, Partners and broader stakeholders​ ​ 6.2 Undertake the planning and implementing consultation meetings, interviews, questionnaires and other communication tools as appropriate 6.3 Provide short consultation reports based on an agreed template 7. Use the outcomes of the tasks (1)-(6), including information collected through agreed missions, to elaborate: 7.1 The MSSD final evaluation report, including recommendations and elements for a renewed MSSD​ ​ 7.2The updated structure of the MSSD, while identifying simplification/optimisation options, as needed be, and in coordination with the Secretariat 8. Provide a final consultancy report, including missions report.

Qualifications/special skills

The consultant should have: Advanced university degree, Master’s degree or equivalent in socio-economic or policy sciences, environmental sciences, sustainable development, international relations or related area is required. At least 7 years’ experience in sustainable development governance and support to international/regional policymaking, preferably in the Mediterranean, are required​ Proven experience on sustainable development related work especially on policy and strategy development and/or evaluation, including knowledge of the sustainable development agenda at the global and regional/Mediterranean level is required​ Proven skills in public enquiry (survey construction, dissemination and analysis, etc.) are required Good communication skills are desirable Good understanding of the UNEP/MAP- Barcelona Convention system is desirable Working experience in similar assignment at global and regional levels is desirable Knowledge and/or experience on UN gender related policies and/or projects/programmes is desirable

Languages

Fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of French and/or Arabic is desirable.

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.