The ultimate result of the service is to deliver the evaluation report of the implementation of the 2016-2025 Regional Climate Change Adaptation Framework for the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Areas (RCCAF), based on the inputs provided by the Coordinating Unit, with the contribution of all relevant MAP Components, and the updated RCCAF for the next period.

Work Location

home-based

Expected duration

10 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (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 assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), Athens, Greece. The 19th meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP19), which took place in Athens, Greece in 2016, adopted with Decision IG.22/6, the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Framework for the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Areas (herewith referred to as RCCAF), which has a timeline of 10 years, until 2025. RCCAF has been developed with the assistance of an Advisory Panel composed of the representatives of the institutions, universities, businesses, civil sector and MAP components active in the Mediterranean. UNEP/MAP MTS 2022-2027 includes the Outcome 3.1. “Legal, policy and institutional framework strengthened at the regional and national level to efficiently address climate change related challenges”, which provides that “At regional level, work will be undertaken to review the implementation of the current Regional Climate Change Adaptation Framework for the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Areas, having a timeframe until 2025,and develop an updated Regional Strategy on Climate Change Adaptation taking into consideration the findings of MedECC report and other key regional and national assessments”. Following the above, the UNEP/MAP Coordinating Unit-Barcelona Convention Secretariat needs the services of a consultant to prepare the updated RCCAF for the next period. Under the overall guidance of the UNEP/MAP Coordinator, the direct supervision of the UNEP/MAP Programme Management Officer in charge of Socio-Economic and Sustainable Development, and in coordination with relevant MAP Components, , the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: 1) Prepare a detailed work plan and timetable 2) Prepare a short actions-oriented evaluation report through a questionnaire on the RCCAF implementation in the period 2016-2025 to be responded by MAP Components and partners, and through a desk review as appropriate 3) Deliver a short issue paper addressing the main priority directions that should be considered for the revised RCCAF, including possible interactions among priority directions, and taking in due consideration: a. The status of formulation and implementation of current climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies at national, sub-regional and regional level as appropriate b. Findings from climate change regional reports c. MSSD revision process d. Recent developments related to global and regional climate change frameworks 4) Based on the 1-3 above, elaborate the draft of the updated RCCAF, including: a. A cost estimation and resources mobilisation approach and action plan to tackle climate change adaptation b. Three local adaptation pilots, one in the South part of the Mediterranean, one in the North part of the Mediterranean and one in the Ionian/Adriatic sub-region c. The framework of a monitoring and evaluation system with indicators/targets 5) Participate to the consultation meetings within the MAP System, when requested, and contributing to the preparation of consultation documents/materials/questionnaires as needed be, with the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention, MAP Focal Points, EcAp Coordination Group, Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development and UNEP/MAP System partners 6) Finalise the draft version of the updated RCCAF, based on the comments provided by the MAP system 7) Elaborate the final version of the updated RCCAF for the next period, following review by the MCSD meeting 8) Provide a final consultancy report and mission report.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, environmental sciences/engineering, law or other relevant political or social science areas is required At least 7 years of relevant professional working experience is required, including a minimum of 4 years of proven experience related to sustainable development/climate change issues. Very good understanding of the global and regional evolutions in the last 5 years related to climate change challenges of the Mediterranean is desirable; Very good understanding of the UNEP/MAP system, its structure and operation is desirable; Knowledge of gender mainstreaming issues is highly desirable.

Languages

Fluency (oral and written) in English is required Working knowledge of French 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.