Strategic/Organizational Expert

at  United Nations

Result of Service
Updated legal and institutional mechanisms to establish a Regional Activity Network (RAN)
Work Location
Home-based
Expected duration
2 months
Duties and Responsibilities
Background The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system-designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional levels. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of global consensus on environmental issues by keeping the environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP established the Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) as one of its Regional Seas Programmes in recognition of the importance and value of the Wider Caribbean Region’s (WCR) fragile and vulnerable coastal and marine ecosystems, including endemic plants and animals and the importance of these resources to the sustainable development of the region. This led to the adoption of an Action Plan in 1981 and the development and adoption of the Cartagena Convention for the Protection and Development of the Wider Caribbean Region on 24 March 1983. The Convention, which came into force in 1986, aims to protect and preserve the Caribbean Sea’s marine environment by promoting cooperation among the countries of the Wider Caribbean Region. The Cartagena Convention Secretariat (CCS) plays a crucial role in facilitating communication and collaboration among Contracting Parties and member countries of the CEP, organizing meetings, providing technical assistance, and coordinating efforts to address the region’s various environmental issues. It also supports the implementation of the Convention’s three Protocols: 1. The Oil Spills Protocol (1983): Focusing on the prevention, control, and reduction of oil spill incidents. 2. The Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) Protocol (1990): Focusing on the protection of endangered and threatened marine and coastal species and their habitats. 3. The Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution (LBS) Protocol (1999): Focusing on reducing pollution from land-based activities, such as sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial discharges. The Wider Caribbean Region (WCR) hosts a highly diversified community of marine mammals, with more than 35 species identified so far, which hold a unique place in the collective psyche and economies of the WCR. In 2008, a Marine Mammal Action Plan (MMAP) was adopted at SPAW COP5. The envisioned purpose of this Plan was to guide the development and implementation of marine mammal focused initiatives by SPAW Contracting Parties, and to assist in the prioritization of marine mammal protection and the development of national recovery plans. In 2021, the SPAW Sub-Programme with two consultants led an assessment of the progress made by SPAW Contracting Parties and other countries in the region towards achieving implementation of the MMAP since its adoption. This assessment was submitted to SPAW Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) 9. One of the foremost recommendations of their work was to create a Marine Mammal RAN to strengthen existing regional institutional frameworks and partnerships and to facilitate collaborative data sharing, building on the foundations of the CARI’MAM project. The Twelfth Meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP) to the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) in the Wider Caribbean Region through its DECISION II(1) Adopt the Recommendations of the Tenth Meeting of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) to the SPAW Protocol adopted the RECOMMENDATION IX Species (10). The Secretariat work with Contracting Parties, with input from the SPAW-RAC as appropriate, to further elaborate and evaluate the legal and institutional mechanisms to establish a potential Marine Mammal Regional Activity Network (RAN), taking into consideration the various options outlined in UNEP(DEPI)/CAR WG.43/INF.32 (Potential Costs, benefits and operational framework for the establishment of a marine mammal regional activity network), including the proposed RAN architecture described in section 3.2. The resulting report should be prepared within one year of SPAW COP12 and should include a review of the legal and institutional considerations related to a potential RAN’s governance structure. The overall purpose of the consultancy is to review the legal and institutional mechanisms to establish a Regional Activity Network (RAN), using as an example a Marine Mammal RAN. The results of this consultancy will be presented to SPAW-STAC 11 for review. The consultant will report to Ms. Susana Perera Valderrama, Programme Officer (SPAW) of the Cartagena Convention Secretariat.
Qualifications/special skills
A Bachelor’s degree in organizational planning, environmental management, or international development. A Master’s degree in a similar subject area is required. At least 5 years of experience in change management, strategic planning and/or partnership development, preferably in the environment, ocean governance, or related areas. Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities is required. Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation frameworks and methodologies is required. Knowledge of the Cartagena Convention and the Wider Caribbean region’s environmental context is highly desirable.
Languages
Proficiency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Spanish is desirable. Knowledge of French is desirable.
Additional Information
Not available.
No Fee

Please refer the Job description for details