Result of Service
Guidelines for operations of the Working Groups of the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols, and recommendations for their improvement to support the work under the Convention and its Protocols developed.
Expected duration
1.5 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, organising 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 Cartagena Convention and its Protocols are supported by four specialized Regional Activity Centres (RACs): the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Information and Training Center for the Wider Caribbean (RAC-REMPEITC-Caribe), hosted by the Government of Curaçao working in close collaboration with the International Maritime Organization for the Oil Spills Protocol; the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW-RAC), hosted by the Government of France in Guadeloupe for the SPAW Protocol; and the Institute of Marine Affairs in Trinidad and Tobago (RAC-IMA) and the Centre of Research and Environmental Management of Transport in Cuba (RAC-CIMAB), hosted by the Governments of Trinidad and Tobago and Cuba respectively, both for the LBS Protocol. The Rules of Procedure for the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols (Rule 48) allow for the establishment of Committees and Working Groups to facilitate the business of the Secretariat. Several thematic and institutional related Working Groups and Committees have been established and over the years have developed differing institutional mechanisms for their functioning and provision of support to the RACs and/or the Secretariat. With the recent development of a 2023-2030 Medium Term Strategy for the Cartagena Convention Secretariat and the proposed updating of the 2008 Guidelines for the Establishment and Operation of Regional Activity Centres and Regional Activity Networks for the Cartagena Convention, it is necessary to do a review of the existing functional modalities for Working Groups operating under the Secretariat taking into account best practices of similar groups under other Global and Regional Multilateral Environmental Agreements. The purpose of this consultancy is to analyse existing governance structures and functioning of Working Groups established under the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols and propose guidelines for their operations in accordance with the Rules of Procedure for the Cartagena Convention and recommendations on how they could be improved to support the work under the Convention and its Protocols. The consultant is expected to do: 1. an Inception Report 2. an analysis of the Governance and Functioning of Working Groups of the Cartagena Convention and its Protocols. 3. a Final Report including Guidelines for Working Groups and Recommendations for improving their effectiveness and efficiency. Convention.
Qualifications/special skills
A Bachelor’s degree in organizational planning, environmental management, or international development. A Master’s degree in a similar subject area would be desirable. At least 5 years of experience in Governance, strategic planning and/or partnership development, preferably in the environment, ocean governance, or related areas. Knowledge of the Cartagena Convention and the Wider Caribbean region’s environmental context is highly desirable Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities. Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation frameworks and methodologies. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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.