Result of Service

The expected outputs will support UNEP and the N4H Secretariat to provide technical guidance and support to the second phase of the expression of interest under N4H. The outputs generated will enhance technical understanding of preventative One Health across the initiative and establish a common understanding among the Partners, the various stakeholders and the Secretariat on the desired outcomes to improve understanding of the links between health of the environment and human and animal health.

Work Location

Switzerland

Expected duration

8 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division engages with governments and other partners to develop and promote ecosystem-based solutions for sustainable development. This assignment is in the One Health team in the Transforming and Mainstreaming for Nature Unit of the Biodiversity and Land Branch. This assignment is intended to support UNEP’s Biodiversity and Land Branch in its role as secretariat of the Nature for Health (N4H) multi-partner trust fund (MPTF) as it transitions into its second phase. With a secretariat based at UNEP, the aim of N4H is to support evidence-based decision-making, action and capacity development to mainstream biodiversity and climate into sectoral policies and preventative action on health. It aims to achieve more holistic policy-making by creating further evidence for the links between biodiversity, climate and health, as well as by working with actors on the ground to demonstrate how cross-sectoral approaches, as well as environmental dimensions, can be fully integrated to prevent future health crises. Under the overall supervision of the Biodiversity and Land Branch Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Chief, of the UNEP Nature and Heath Unit, the consultant will undertake the following duties: 1. Provide ongoing technical and strategic advice on preventative One Health implementation, in the context of the Nature for Health initiative, including on aspects of multi-sectoral collaboration and coordination, as well as on zoonotic disease emergence/reemergence and spillover events; 2. Oversee the coordination and roll-out of the second expression of interest process under N4H, through a work plan for implementation taking into account the different design phases such as launch, review and selection of country partners for the second phase. 3. Provide technical, planning and other support, as relevant, for the preparation of documents, material, for the application and review process of the second expression of interest under N4H. 4. Prepare various strategic and technical written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, strategic documents, guidelines and policy recommendations etc., as required by UNEP to carry out the duties of N4H Secretariat; 5. Provide technical support for the process of collaboratively building and maintaining the N4H partnership, its governance mechanism and programmatic structure, in particular through the Steering Committees. 6. Provide technical and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations. 7. Provide strategic planning guidance and support for communications and advocacy efforts to ensure an effective presence at key global meetings as N4H transitions into its second phase. 8. Supports UNEP’s other One Health work to promote cross-collaboration and learning, including through technical support, as requested.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (MSc level or higher) in ecosystem health, environmental health, public health or veterinary medicine or a related field relevant to One Health is required. A first level degree with additional two years of qualifying experience maybe accepted in lieu of Advanced degree. A minimum of 7 years of relevant post graduate experience in emerging infectious diseases and zoonoses is required. Experience in biodiversity, wildlife and ecosystems health is desirable. Experience in health systems policy, antimicrobial resistance, food systems and their interlinkages with health is desirable. Relevant post graduate experience in social, economic and behavioural sciences relating to One Health is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of other UN language (s) is an advantage.

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.