Under the direction of and reporting to the Head of the Freshwater Ecosystems Unit of the Marine and Freshwater Branch, the Water Ecosystems Specialist will undertake the following activities:

?Research methods, tools and approaches used for freshwater ecosystems extent, status, water quantity including through earth observations.
?Assists in the exploration, identification, and acquisition of sources of statistical data to help inform the development of a global observational system on wetland ecosystems.
?Assists in capacity building of Member States, researchers and institutions to enable countries to identify and verify actionable data and information on wetland ecosystems for policy and planning.
?Support the Head of the Unit to establish joined up, inter-disciplinary freshwater eco-system research and collaboration network by identifying and bringing key water institutions together.
?Support the establishment of regional, sub-regional and/or basin wide networks connected to existing collaborative frameworks to improve the application of science findings, protection, restoration and sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems include through south south and triangular exchanges.
?Supports the Head of Unit to ensure that information collected and included in the global wetland watch and in UNEP’s World Environment Situation Room platforms on freshwater ecosystems is accurate, accessible, understandable, scientifically robust, near real-time and in high-resolution.
?Assists the team in the work on capacity building of Member States to improve the SDG 6 indicator monitoring for which UNEP is custodian and connect across the UN-Water community to share lessons and form coalitions for action.
?Conduct research, coordinate drafting and review of materials, presentations and re-ports to support the implementation of the UNEA6 water resolution.
?Contributes to the design and development of projects, programmes and initiatives to support UNEP’s integrated approach to freshwater action and implementation of the UNEA6 water resolution.

In undertaking these duties, the Water Ecosystems Specialist will establish and maintain relationships to support collaboration with data, statistical, scientific, and other specialists, as well as technical staff across UNEP, UNEP-DHI, UN-Water and the UN system as well as representatives in national governments, international organizations, private sector, and NGOs.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:
Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
?Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
?Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
?Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
?Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
?Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Requirements:

relevant fields of which at least two years of progressively responsible experience in in the field of environmental conservation, scientific research or science to policy work is required
?Experience working on freshwater ecosystems and/or wetlands as a topic is required.
?Candidates must be able to demonstrate they are organized, reliable and efficient. An understanding of how to work effectively as part of a team, and a willingness to learn and grow professionally by taking on new competencies and remaining abreast of de-velopments in the freshwater ecosystem monitoring and mapping fields is essential. Proven ability to work effectively with a wide range of various actors is also required. As well, UNEP highly values creativity and innovative thinking, coupled with a problem-solving mindset.