Result of Service

Deployment of the implementation system to all the CITES Units and training as required.

Work Location

CITES Secretariat’s Office in Geneva

Expected duration

3 Months. Period requested: 6 January through 5 March 2025

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between states. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival (www.cites.org). The CITES Secretariat is administered by UN Environment and is located at the Geneva duty station. This assignment is part of the CITES Secretariat’s programme of work. Under the overall supervision of Chief, Scientific Unit, the consultant will: The consultant will act as a Project implementation and Monitoring Adviser to support the CITES Secretariat’s work with the implementation program during the inter-sessional period 2023-2025. The consultancy’s core objective is to provide specialist advice to the staff in the CITES Secretariat Units to support and strengthen processes associated with project implementation to ensure timely effective and efficient delivery on activities assigned to the Secretariat by CoP19, Under the overall supervision of CITES Secretary-General, the consultant will assist the CITES Secretariat by: 1. Providing guidance on effective monitoring and evaluation to ensure timely delivery of deliverables as specified in agreements; identify issues to be addressed and recommending corrective actions, as appropriate; advising on best practices, including through technological tools, for liaising with relevant stakeholders on project implementation, in particular project beneficiary countries, implementing partners, and other Secretariat staff to identify and track follow-up actions. 2. Providing well-researched and sound analysis of issues affecting project development, planning, administration, and implementation and making recommendations to strengthen project management. 3. Continuing the deployment of the developed system for planning, implementation, monitoring, and finalization of specific activities to all the CITES Units as previously achieved for the CITES Scientific Unit as a Pilot Project. 4. Providing relevant training on the newly developed pilot system for monitoring and implementation of the CITES Secretariat 2023-2025 work Programme. 5. Performing any other related tasks associated with the Secretariat’s work as the supervisor may require or assign.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in business administration, natural resources conservation, management, law, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted lieu of the advanced university degree o A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration, or a related area is required; o Experience in project management, budgeting, and drafting of contracts and legal instruments, is desirable; o Experience in working for Multilateral Environmental Agreements or similar organizations is desirable; o Experience in and knowledge of the CITES processes, decisions and resolutions is required; o Excellent knowledge of and experience in project delivery strategies, project development, project management including interacting with partners and project monitoring and evaluation are required; o Experience in managing and coordinating donor funding, including interacting with donors, is required o Experience in reporting writing and production of technical reports is required; o Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; o Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability ffectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; o Self-motivated, ability to rk with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines Have affinity with or interest in conservation and sustainable use of wildlife, and the UN System.

Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English is required; Working knowledge of French is a strong advantage. Working knowledge of Spanish is desirable

Additional Information

The consultant will report to the CITES Secretary-General. Payments will be made upon successful completion, review and quality assurance of the deliverables specified under Outputs/Work Assignment above. All deliverables must be submitted by the contractor to the respective direct Supervisors and certified as being of adequate quality and meeting the terms of the deliverables before payments will be made. Competencies: Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to CITES Secretariat; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to CITES Secretariat procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

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.