Technical Senior Officer – Environmental (Biodiversity Policy Technical Coordinator)

Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management. The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners’ programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement the project activities for the Global Programme on Nature for Development. UNDP’s Global Programme on Nature for Development brings together three different initiatives — the Equator Initiative, and the National Biodiversity Initiative, and Learning for Nature under one program in order to identify, foster, showcase and celebrate nature-based solutions that help achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at local, national, and international levels. The work of the Global Programme on Nature for Development contributes to UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021 by charting sustainable development pathways through the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of biodiversity and ecosystems; and by promoting inclusive and effective democratic governance in the area of natural resources.

The Equator Initiative brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. The Equator Initiative seeks to:

• Identify and recognize the success of Indigenous and local initiatives,
• Create opportunities and platforms to share knowledge and good practice,
• Inform policy to foster an enabling environment for Indigenous and local community action, and
• Develop the capacity of Indigenous peoples and local communities to scale-up their impact.

The National Biodiversity Initiative supports countries to manage their ecosystems and biodiversity to improve national planning and governance of biodiversity and ecosystems, and to promote resilience for sustainable development. The initative’s GEF Enabling Activities work supports developing, middle income, and small island nations in their commitments to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): early action on the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), National Reporting. The use of spatial data for spatial planning is an important cross-cutting theme across these project areas, including through our flagship platform UN Biodiversity Lab (UNBL) and to map Essential Life Support Areas (ELSAs). The UNBL, created in partnership with UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the CBD Secretariat provides policymakers with access to 100 of the world’s best spatial datasets on nature, climate, and sustainable development for planning, monitoring, and reporting. Building on this base, our work to map ELSAs brings together the world’s best scientists and governments in 11 pilot countries to use spatial data to identify where nature-based actions to protect, manage, or restore ELSAs can deliver efficiently across national priorities for biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development. A nascent area of work is building the spatial literacy of Indigenous peoples and local communities and ensuring their participation in spatial planning.

Learning for Nature is a capacity-building offer provided by the Global Programme on Nature for Development, cutting across the three areas of work. This programme connects biodiversity policymakers, change-makers, and on-the-ground subject matter experts to facilitate the delivery of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Access to the global multi-stakeholder networks mobilized by the Equator Initiative and the National Biodiversity Initiative allows Learning for Nature to circulate knowledge while promoting best practices. Building on our learnings on the ground, we seek synergies, build linkages, and engage thousands of course participants on their journey towards sustainable development solutions for people, nature, and resilient communities. Learning for Nature builds capacity to scale up efforts for nature-based sustainable development through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), webinars, self-paced e-learning modules, podcasts, and private training courses.

Knowledge Sharing is a main goal of the Equator Initiative, the National Biodiversity Initiative, and Learning for Nature. The Equator Initiative has a large series of research papers, books, and other publications focusing on local approaches to poverty reduction and conservation, informed by community-based initiatives. 180 case studies in over 30 languages have documented the Equator Prize winners’ innovative practices that deliver the win-win-win solutions that ensure social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The National Biodiversity Initiative works with partners to share knowledge on the role of spatial data in biodiversity planning, policymaking, and reporting through story maps, blogs, Google Earth stories, articles etc.

For further information please go to: www.equatorinitiative.org, www.nbsapforum.net, www.learningfornature.org, or http://www.unbiodiversitylab.org.

This is a position to support a project which UNOPS is implementing for the United Nations Development Programme. The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Senior Technical Manager, the Technical Senior Officer – Environmental (Biodiversity Policy Technical Coordinator) will support the National Biodiversity Initiative’s GEF Enabling Activities Program by engaging with governments and key international stakeholders on biodiversity, climate, and development-related policies and technical guidance. This program supports developing, middle income, and small island nations in their commitments to the CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity), including early action on the post-2020 GBF, NBSAPs, and national reporting. Working in collaboration with UNEP, the CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) Secretariat, and the GEF Secretariat, this project provides technical and financial support to GEF-eligible Parties to CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity). Depending on the policy cycle, the type of technical support and the amount of financial support delivered to Parties may vary.

CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) Parties are currently being mobilized to take early action on the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) by focusing on four components: national biodiversity planning and alignment, policy frameworks, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and biodiversity finance. These components, among others that may emerge, are aimed at ensuring that CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) Parties have the technical and financial support they require to work towards a robust, fully resourced, NBSAP, including a strong monitoring system, that is fully aligned with the GBF.

Financial and technical support is provided through two pathways: first, grants made to Parties to undertake national actions, and second, a global coordination grant that will make it possible to provide technical services to ensure national actions are effective, efficient, inclusive, and of the highest technical standards. The project’s Technical Support Unit (TSU) is being administered in coordination with SCBD (Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity) and UNEP across 138 countries. The project is additionally responsible for administrating national work for the 69 countries that receive GEF funding, which are primarily located in Latin America and Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and Asia.

The Technical Senior Officer – Environmental (Biodiversity Policy Technical Coordinator) will focus on advancing the review and alignment of their NBSAPs, with the post-2020 GBF, in addition to policy and institutional alignment and coherence.

Responsibilities include the following:

Project coordination and implementation

• Support the delivery of technical assistance in the rapid review of NBSAP for alignment with the post-2020 GBF and relevant SDGs, including technical tools, guidance, checklists, and trainings;
• Facilitate communication with key partners to develop collaborative products, including the CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) Secretariat, UNEP, UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), and other technical partners;
• Support the development knowledge management strategies for the project, including default communication tools, file sharing platforms, and collaborative editing tools; and
• Draft quarterly and annual project reports, in consultation with other team members.

Technical tools and capacity building

• Support the development of technical tools, guidance, and training materials that build the capacity of CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) Parties to rapidly review and align national biodiversity targets with the post-2020 GBF;
• Support the development technical tools, guidance, and training materials that build the capacity of CBD(Convention on Biological Diversity) Parties to assess and plan to improve policy and institutional alignment and coherence with the post-2020 GBF;
• Coordinate the development of technical tools, guidance, and trainings around other project components, such as monitoring and biodiversity finance;
• Coordinate maximizing the use of existing online tools to support virtual capacity-building, such as Learning for Nature, NBSAP Forum, and the UNBL.
• Develop reports and policy recommendations related to the targets in the emerging post-2020 GBF
• Develop automated processes to create customized tools.

Communications and knowledge sharing

• Support the development of promotional content for the tools, guidance, and trainings related to the project, including UNBL and the ELSA methodology;
• Develop communications materials synthesizing project results, such as reports, press releases, blogs, and other forms of communication;
• Develop and document best practices and lessons learned from across the UNDP portfolio, including on policy review and policy alignment; and
• Oversee the pipeline for UNDP publications internally and among partners, and the promotion of products across the project partnership and among Parties.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The assignment is supervised by the Manager of the Global Programme on Nature for Development.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

*CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent), preferably in environmental management, social/political sciences, international relations, political economy, development studies, geography or other related discipline is required.
• First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced university degree;

Required Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years work experience on at least one of the following topics at a conceptual or practical level is required: international environmental policy, natural resource management, biodiversity/climate change; human/civil/indigenous/women’s rights; social entrepreneurship/impact investing; local economic development; civil society engagement and education;

Desirable experience (the following experience is optional candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply):

• Experience with international institutions, civil society, or governmental authorities (national, regional, state, local) is desired;
• Experience conducting virtual capacity-building activities, facilitation, and/or stakeholder engagement is desired;
• Experience in writing press releases, blogs, and other forms of communications is an advantage;
• Experience working within the UN system, UN Environment Programme, and the CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) Secretariat is an advantage.
• Experience in engagement with Parties to the CBD(Convention on Biological Diversity) in capacity-building around spatial data and policy development is an asset.
• Experience in developing tools, guidance, and training related to integrated planning around nature, climate, and sustainable development is desired.

Language:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.
• Knowledge of additional languages is an advantage.

Other:

• It is required to be able to perform the functions during New York working hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday)

Competencies

Integrity and Inclusion

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Leading Self and Others

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Partnering

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Results Orientation

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Agility

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Solution Focused

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Effective Communication

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA 1 / ICSC9)
Contract duration: Ongoing contract (subject to good performance, availability of funds, organizational requirements and project duration)

This is a home based position, the selected candidate will be working from home, it is required to follow the working hours in New York (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday)

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.