Result of Service

The consultant will successfully prepare a UNEP story-telling report on Indigenous people and local communities and their significant role in sustainable coral reef management and launch the report at UNEA 2025 as a webinar.

Work Location

homebased

Expected duration

12 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. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division is responsible for ecosystem management for human well-being, which covers biodiversity and ecosystem services, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, marine and coastal ecosystems, addressing the environmental causes and consequences of disasters and conflicts, adapting to climate change and a poverty and environmental initiative. The Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Unit (MCEU) has a unique mandate that supports the protection, restoration and conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems, sustainable blue economy transition, the implementation of Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) targets, and the ratification and implementation of the BBNJ agreement, among others. Projects and programmes underpinned by strong institutional and scientific networks and knowledge management platforms demonstrate best practices to conserve, restore and sustainably use the marine and coastal ecosystems as well as enhance ocean and sea governance. The MCEU is seeking a highly experienced expert to document the knowledge and traditional practices of indigenous people and local communities (IPLCs) on coral reef management. The consultant will directly report to a MCEU Programme Management Officer, and marine ecosystem expert, under the overall guidance of the Chief of the MCEU. Responsibilities The consultant is expected to prepare a UNEP story-telling report that builds on several topics regarding Indigenous people and local communities (IPLCs), wisdoms, cultural practices and traditional knowledge related to coral reef management, conservation and restoration. The consultant is expected to perform the following: 1) a summary of how IPLCs are connected to coral reefs; 2) an analysis of the global area of coral reefs and associated ecosystems such as seagrass and mangroves that is under stewardship of IPLCs; 3) the interactions between indigenous management systems and government or private management systems; 4) case studies of IPLCs around the world that are sustainably managing coral reefs; 5) the importance of IPLC practices and knowledge in conservation of coral reefs in attaining the GBF and other global targets; 6) an understanding of the effect of policy frameworks and other interventions on the role of IPLCs in the management of coral reef ecosystems; 7) recommendations for increased recognition of IPLCs in coral reef science and management, In addition, the consultant is expected to conduct desktop research on IPLCs and their role in managing coral reefs and outline the UNEP story telling report; identify and convene experts in the field of IPLCs and coral reef management in order to solicit their expert input and review; travel to countries as applicable and interview IPLCs on their management of coral reefs; draft the report with inputs from different sources including experts in the field, UNEP team, and other relevant organizations and institutions; conduct and run a webinar to present the report findings in different UNEP platforms and to the global community (for example at UNEA 2025); other duties as applicable.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social science, environmental science, marine or environmental anthropology, sustainable development, sociology or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics or data science programs is desirable. A minimum of ten (10) years of senior level experience in conducting community-based research on ecosystem conservation and sustainable development, including participatory mapping and knowledge co-creation experience is required. Experience in multi-stakeholder facilitation and the ability to effectively facilitate a wide array of stakeholders holding different knowledge systems, with the use of a translator is required. Rich experience working with indigenous people and local communities on ecosystems or environmental conservation is required. Senior level experience in developing and preparing quality storytelling and case study reports and conducting community-based research in various development and environmental fields, specifically within Indigenous and local communities related to natural resource management is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. NOTE: ”Fluency” equals a rating of ”fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ”Knowledge of” equals a rating of ”confident” in two of the four area.

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.