Result of Service

This assignment is part of the CITES Secretariat’s work under the Enforcement Unit and will undertake tasks related to the implementation of ICCWC in the Secretariat’s role as the Chair of the ICCWC. Activities will directly support the implementation of the ICCWC Vision 2030 and its associated Strategic Action Plan as well as agreed activities of the ICCWC Senior Experts Group and Technical Experts group. The main objective of the consultancy is to provide specialized technical input into activities of ICCWC partner agencies and explore specific synergies and opportunities between ICCWC activities and flagship initiatives of partner programs, to enhance joint implementation approaches.

Work Location

Remote location. Regular communication and reporting will be via appropriate communication means with the ICCWC Coordinator at the CITES Secretariat.

Expected duration

4 months (6 January 2025 – 5 May 2025): Temporary consultancy up to a maximum of 40 days of work over a period of 4 months.

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. Under the overall supervision of the CITES Secretariat International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) Coordinator, Enforcement Unit, the ICCWC consultant will: 1. Support the organization and delivery of ICCWC activities at the 78th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee. 2. Review and provide technical input to ICCWC reports (e.g. reports on the implementation of the ICCWC Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit, evaluation of ICCWC Strategic Programme, etc.). 3. Explore synergies between ICCWC and flagship partner initiatives, in particular the Global Wildlife Programme, and provide recommendations on possible synergies, tools and services that could be integrated in partner initiatives. 4. Liaise with ICCWC partners (INTERPOL, UNODC, WBG and WCO) as appropriate and provide recommendations on relevant briefing papers, information documents or relevant documentation to ICCWC for the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP20). 5. Provide technical input and where appropriate, support or participate in relevant ICCWC activities and events hosted by ICCWC (e.g. agenda and concept note for CITES Rhinoceros Task Force meeting, Global meeting of WENs, etc.). 6. Provide guidance, as appropriate, on presentations and other materials on ICCWC (e.g. hand-outs, leaflets, templates, etc.), to be used during ICCWC workshops and meetings. 7. Provide input to ICCWC visibility materials and branding guidelines and make recommendations and contribute as needed to specific ICCWC impact stories with a particular focus on synergies between ICCWC and partner initiatives. 8. Review and provide input and strategic recommendations to the ICCWC communication and visibility strategy. 9. Follow up and provide technical advice on specific tasks identified by the ICCWC Coordinator, as required by the ICCWC SEG/TEG.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social and environmental science, criminal law, criminology, international criminology, environmental or wildlife law, law enforcement or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. • At least 15 years of relevant work experience in wildlife crime or related area at national or international level is required. • Experience with international organizations and working with ICCWC partners is required. Experience working with government, private sector or nongovernmental organizations would be an asset. • Excellent knowledge and understanding of CITES, ICCWC and wildlife crime and ICCWC tools, services and initiatives is required. • Knowledge and understanding of ICCWC partner initiatives, e.g. the Global Wildlife Programme and related national projects, is required. Prior experience working with an ICCWC partner or in ICCWC activities in specific countries is desirable. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Experience in providing technical support on wildlife crime as well as organizing meetings, events and preparation of presentations, documents and briefing notes is required. • 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; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively 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; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Have affinity with or interest in conservation and sustainable use of wildlife, wildlife crime and the work of ICCWC and ICCWC partners

Languages

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

Additional Information

Reporting lines The consultant will report to the ICCWC Coordinator, Enforcement Unit, under the overall supervision of the Chief of Enforcement at the CITES Secretariat. 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 and ICCWC; 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.