International Policy Expert

Result of Service

The ultimate results of service constitute the following: • Training material developed, elaborating on the Global Biodiversity Framework targets, as an introductory information package for stakeholders in Serbia; • A complementary review of the national and regional/global state of alignment with the KMGBF, identifying gaps and determining which adjustments may be needed, where appropriate; • Elaborated proposal for national biodiversity goals and targets which are measurable, costed, and spatially-explicit, and coherent with the KMGBF targets; • Recommendations for application of a whole-of-society approach, including involvement of all relevant stakeholders, with particular attention to local communities, women and youth • A Guidance for decision-makers for enhanced policy coherence across sectors and recommendations for improvement of institutional frameworks; • Presentation of the aligned targets to stakeholders in Serbia.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

9.5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. Under its Western Balkan portfolio, it facilitates the implementation and execution of numerous projects pertaining to climate change, biodiversity protection, land degradation and other environmental related aspects. The consultant will be engaged for the purposes of providing expertise to the project implemented in Serbia and focused on the preparation of the update of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), to align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), executed with support from UNEP’s Early Action Support programme team in Nairobi, Kenya. UNEP’s Early Action Support programme team is currently supporting the execution of the GEF funded project implemented in the Republic of Serbia focused on the preparation of the update of Serbia’s NBSAP. The NBSAP and biodiversity frameworks in Serbia are not fully aligned with the KMGBF. Furthermore, lessons learned from the last round of updating NBSAPs indicate that challenges persist in terms of non-alignment of national targets with global targets, lack of a financing plan for NBSAP implementation, inadequate implementation due to delays in updating NBSAPs, as well as inadequate monitoring. Alignment will help catalyze implementation of the KMGBF and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its protocols. There are now only six years remaining for Parties and the global community to achieve the agreed KMGBF targets. Under the supervision of the Head of Department for Biodiversity in the Ministry of Environmental Protection, EAS Programme Management Officer and UNEP National Coordinator for the EAS project in the Republic of Serbia, the International Policy Expert will be responsible for ensuring that the nationally redefined NBSAP targets are fully in line with the KMBGF targets . Within this context the UNEP and the Republic of Serbia are implementing this project, with the specific objective to fast-track readiness and early actions to implement the KMGBF. The project provides financial and technical support to GEF-eligible Parties to the CBD in their work to review and align their national targets, NBSAPs, policy frameworks, monitoring frameworks and finance with the GBF. The consultant will carry out the following activities: – Develop training material elaborating on the KM Global Biodiversity Framework targets, as an introductory info package for stakeholders in Serbia; – Conduct a complementary review of the national and regional/global state of alignment with the KMGBF, identifying gaps and determining which adjustments may be needed, where appropriate. – Based on the outcomes of the Working Group discussions, prepare a draft proposal for national biodiversity goals and targets which are measurable, costed, and spatially explicit, while ensuring coherence with the KMGBF targets. – Developing recommendations for application of a whole-of-society approach, including involvement of all relevant stakeholders, with particular attention to local communities, women and youth. – Based on the policy and institutional review to be conducted by the National Policy Expert, develop guidance for decision-makers for enhanced policy coherence across sectors and recommendations for improvement of institutional frameworks. – Take an active part in the meetings and roundtables of the Working Group, presenting the relevant material and contributing to the discussions. – Present aligned NBSAP targets at the final project event with the wider group of stakeholders.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced academic degree (Master’s degree) in management, sustainable development, nature protection, education, environmental policy, or a similar field is required. At least ten years of experience in the field of participatory strategic policy development and stakeholder consultations is required • Advanced knowledge of the Convention on Biological Diversity, including its protocols and decisions, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and EU-related regulations is required Familiarity with the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and other regional policies is desirable Experience in alignment of the national targets to the KMGBF is desirable Working experience in/with governmental institutions is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of a Serbian language is an asset

Additional Information

Not available.

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.