Result of Service

As a result of the services provided, the FERI work plan 2026 -2030 will be rolled out to implement the FERI Phase III, and the capacity of CBD Parties will be enhanced, and partnerships will be strengthened or initiated, which in turn support their achievement of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, specifically Targets 2 and 10. The service will result in more visible and effective contributions of FERI to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030). In addition, as a result of the services provided, the Secretariat will maintain and improve cooperation with other relevant international organizations and initiatives on forest biodiversity and ecosystem restoration.

Work Location

Montreal – Hybrid

Expected duration

12 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 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 consultant will work under the supervision of and report to the Programme Officer on Forest Biodiversity in the Biodiversity Science, Policy and Governance Unit, which is within the Science, Society and Sustainable Futures Division. The consultant will produce the following outputs, under the guidance of the Forest Biodiversity Programme Officer : • Support in the implementation of the annual work plan based on the FERI Work Plan 2026-2030: o Draft a detailed annual work plan, including a timeframe and budget o Provide technical support in the implementation of FERI activities, i.e. drafting concept notes, agenda, data compilation, analytical reports, o Provide inputs to FERI monitoring and annual donor report on FERI implementation. • To lead on the FERI outreach and communication plan o Update and coordinate the FERI communication and outreach plan. o Develop communications materials, background documentation, PowerPoint presentations, social media and other materials in close coordination with the CBD Communication team as well as the communication team of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration; and o Participating and effectively representing the Project in internal and external meetings related to the implementation of the FERI o Update FERI website. • To support the building and maintaining of partnerships for effective implementation of the FERI: o Engage organizations working on ecosystem restoration (e.g. IUCN, FAO Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism, Society of Ecological Restoration) promoting incorporation of ecosystem restoration principles and the outcomes/lessons of FERI direct support projects in the implementation of their activities All documents produced as a result of the activities above should be delivered electronically to the officer in charge of the project. Evaluation will be based on the quality of the work and its timely delivery.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications: Advanced University degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in forestry, environmental science, environmental management, conservation, or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of two (2) years of work experience in implementing projects or programmes on forest conservation and management, policy issues with a biodiversity focus (e.g. biodiversity conservation, forest biodiversity, ecosystem restoration) is required. Experience working in the context of providing capacity building to developing countries on forest biodiversity or forest ecosystem restoration is highly desirable. Experience working for the United Nations is desirable. Skills in project or programme implementation, organizing events, communication are required.

Languages

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

Local recruitment - Applicants should be Canadian residents or citizens or have permission to work in Canada. Travel to the ecosystem restoration workshops, if necessary may be required

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.