Result of Service

The ultimate expected results are: a workplan, a draft report and a final report mapping rapid response and protection mechanisms related to the Escazú Agreement in Parties and non-Parties. The report shall have a minimum of 25-30 pages and include graphs, tables and other visuals summarizing the current state of rapid response and protection mechanism within the Escazu Agreement Parties and non-Parties, including the following: • Provide a baseline of the current progress across the region on the development of protection mechanisms • Indicate a list of the types of protection mechanisms available and scope • Whether the mechanisms focus on systemic causes of risk, specific vulnerabilities of particular types of defenders, • Indicate if there exist any investigation protocols in countries where there is harm, threats, harassment, or murder and whether protection mechanisms apply where defenders are criminalized. • Indicate any action on protection that is taken when international precautionary measures are issued. • Highlight the policy or legal basis for the mechanism and its scope • A summary of best practices implemented by the mechanism • Highlight any examples of use and challenges in the implementation or funding of the mechanisms The report shall summarize risk criteria for action. It shall review risk criteria for action across existing mechanisms to consider whether matters should be referred to a national, regional, or international mechanism. The approach will include: • Conducting interviews with relevant stakeholders under the guidance of ECLAC and the Committee to Support Implementation and Compliance with government officials and environmental defenders of knowledge of and effectiveness of the mechanisms and their vision for an effective mechanism (including where no mechanism exists). • Provide a visual mapping of the mechanisms and contacts for internal use by ECLAC and the Committee. • Have appropriate focus groups or other mechanisms to get feedback on the draft report.

Work Location

HOME

Expected duration

6 MONTHS

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the ECLAC responsible staff member, and in coordination with the Committee to Support Implementation and Compliance, the consultant will produce a report that maps existing rapid response and protection mechanisms mentioned in section 43 (b) of the Modalities, including those in countries that are parties to the agreement and those countries that have signed but not ratified the Escazu Agreement. The report should outline: • Areas of strength of these mechanisms and concerns of effectiveness. • Any laws or policies that provide a basis for the in-country mechanism, • The level of use and knowledge of the mechanisms and • Any interagency collaboration by the government on the issue of environmental defenders. The report should include perspectives of environmental defenders on the effectiveness of the mechanisms in the country. The report should outline how current protection mechanisms assess risk to undertake actions of protection in each of the countries. The scope of work should be responsive to the Modalities of the Committee.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university studies in law. At least 5 years of experience in environmental law and policy, preferably in the Latin American and Caribbean region. The consultant shall have at least 5 years’ experience in environmental law and policy. Experience in Latin America and the Caribbean is an asset.

Languages

Fluent in English and Knowledge of Spanish.

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.