Result of Service
A study on the possible reasons and underlying root causes for the challenges to effective implementation and compliance of the Nagoya Protocol and on possible ways to enhance its implementation, taking into account the specific challenges faced by developing country Parties, including those related to means of implementation, as requested in decision NP-5/5, paragraph 7 (b). The main conclusions of the study will be included within the context of the elements for the second assessment and review of the effectiveness of the Nagoya Protocol as a complementary source of information, as relevant.
Work Location
Remote - Home-based
Expected duration
Five months
Duties and Responsibilities
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. The Access and Benefit Sharing Unit of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity serves the Conference of the Parties on issues related to the third objective of the Convention. Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Management Officer and the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer responsible for assessment and review under the Nagoya Protocol, the Consultant will perform the following duties: • Developing an outline of the study for discussion with the Secretariat and revising it, as appropriate, and starting the study; • Designing and conducting, in collaboration with the Secretariat and taking into account the elements and sources of information listed in annex to decision NP-5/5, targeted interviews and surveys with access and benefit-sharing national focal points, competent national authorities, users and providers of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge on challenges related to the implementation of the Protocol. • Conducting targeted follow-up interviews to collect a wide range of views and perspectives; • Conducting a desk review of relevant documents; • Revising the first draft of the study based on comments and discussions with Secretariat; • Preparing and submitting to the Secretariat the final study.
Qualifications/special skills
Academic Qualifications Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in law, international policy, environmental science, biodiversity conservation or related areas. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Working Experience Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in legal, policy or environmental issues and sustainable development is required. Analytical and technical skills and experience in preparing studies and developing policy documents and familiarity with the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing and its implementation is required. Practical experience and understanding of ABS value chains for genetic resources (in situ or ex situ) and associated traditional knowledge is desirable. Understanding the challenges faced by both provider countries and user countries and by users seeking access to genetic resources or associated traditional knowledge is desirable. Skills: • Ability to synthesize and summarize complex views and information and identify trends is required. • Excellent interpersonal skills to engage with diverse stakeholders, including policy makers, researchers, industry and representatives of indigenous peoples and local communities is required. • Ability to identify underlying root causes of compliance and implementation issues regarding the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing and propose practical and pragmatic solutions and innovative approaches is desirable. • Ability to work expeditiously, accurately and independently in a fast-paced environment is desirable. Competencies required Professionalism - Communication - Planning and Organizing
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
Not available.
No Fee

Please refer the Job description for details