International Expert on Digital Sequence Information

Result of Service

The ultimate results of service constitute the following: • Development of training material on national implementation of the Nagoya Protocol and on DSI. • Training on the Nagoya Protocol and DSI delivered to the national Working Group on NBSAP alignment. • Elaborated proposal for alignment of national DSI and ABS-related targets with the KMGBF. • Awareness raising package for wider stakeholder groups.

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 and EAS Programme Management Officer and UNEP National Coordinator for the EAS project in the Republic of Serbia, the International Expert on Digital Sequence Information (DSI) will be responsible for ensuring that the nationally redefined NBSAP targets related to DSI and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) from the use of genetic resources 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 KMGBF. The consultant will carry out the following activities: – Prepare and deliver training material to the Working Group on NBSAP alignment to increase their knowledge and understanding of the Nagoya Protocol and DSI. Developed training material should be localized for the needs of Serbia, and include all legal, policy, administrative and capacity-building requirements to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits that arise from the utilization of genetic resources and from digital sequence information on genetic resources, as well as traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources. Training material should also include the process of reporting and entering mandatory information in the ABS Clearing-House. – Based on the assessment of current status in Serbia, prepare proposal for alignment of national DSI and ABS-related targets with the KMGBF. – Prepare awareness raising package to be delivered at the final event.

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 seven years of experience in the field of developing international legislation related to genetic resources is required Experience in ratification and implementation of Nagoya Protocol at the national level is required. Experience in negotiations, expert discussions, and other international processes in the field of DSI is desirable. Working experience in or 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.