Result of Service

The work of the individual contractor will provide organizational and technical support to the preparation of documents, training materials, webinars, surveys and also to support the day-to-day operation of the programmes of work on agricultural and inland waters biodiversity.

Work Location

Montreal

Expected duration

Six months

Duties and Responsibilities

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING The United Nations Environment Programme 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. At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for ‘sustainable development’. The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature in Rio in 1992. The Convention has 196 Parties and has three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme. Its main tasks are to arrange for and service meetings of the Conference of the Parties, including preparation of pertinent documentation, operation of the central node of the clearing-house mechanism, liaison and coordination with other international bodies and processes and, in close collaboration with these partners, the provision of technical support for the effective implementation of the Convention. Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Management Officer, Biodiversity Science, Policy and Governance Unit, Science, Society and Sustainable Futures Division and direct supervision of the Programme Officer for Agricultural and Inland Waters Biodiversity, the individual contractor will perform the following duties: • Provide organizational and technical support in compiling, organizing, and analyzing the submissions from Parties and organizations, and undertake research on relevant literature and documents, regarding existing tools and guidance to support the implementation of the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; • Provide organizational and technical support for the organization of webinars, workshops and other events; • Assist with day-to-day operation of the work of the programmes of work on agricultural and inland water biodiversity, including drafting documents and reports, preparing surveys, taking notes of the meeting proceedings, researching, and preparing communication and presentation materials; • Perform any other duties as requested.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent is required. University degree and higher degree in natural resources, water, agriculture, international relations, global environmental policy, or related field are desirable. Experience: A minimum of three years of work experience in research, writing, organizational functions, and project management is required. Experience with UN agencies is desirable. Familiarity with the work of partners in relevant areas, in particular the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions; Ramsar Convention on Wetlands; and other relevant partners is desirable. Ability to work with minimum of supervision in a team environment is also desirable. Skills: Strong communication and writing skills including a demonstrated record of producing reports in relevant areas is required. Knowledge of the CBD and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and demonstrated expertise in researching and analyzing information relating to biodiversity related policy is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages 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 areas.

Additional Information

Special conditions: An individual contractor is required to be in person in the office. Applicants should be Canadian residents or citizens or have permission to work in Canada.

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.