International Waters Specialist to support MedProgramme (Level B)

Result of Service

The objective of this assignment is to contribute to the effective execution of the four Child Projects under the IW GEF Focal Area of the MedProgramme and provide necessary technical support and guidance to the Stakeholders and beneficiary Countries in order to ensure effective delivery of the objectives and targets committed by the Programme and beyond.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

13 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional levels. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. United Nation’s Environment Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) – MedProgramme Coordinating Unit (MedPCU), Athens, Greece in the framework of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme): Enhancing Environmental Security. The MedProgramme represents the first GEF programmatic multi-focal area initiative in the Mediterranean Sea aiming to operationalize priority actions to reduce major transboundary environmental stresses in its coastal areas while strengthening climate resilience and water security and improving the health and livelihoods of coastal populations. The MedProgramme is implemented in nine beneficiary countries sharing the Mediterranean basin: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco and Tunisia. It involves a wide spectrum of developmental and societal sectors, ranging from banking institutions, the private sector, governmental and non-governmental bodies, industry, research, media, and various other organizations. It builds on the work of UNEP/MAP and previous GEF investments in the region which have enriched the knowledge on the Mediterranean environment and unravelled the implications of climate change and variability; strengthened countries’ mutual trust, cooperation and common purpose; consolidated the partnership among countries, UN bodies, civil society organizations, bilateral donors and the European Union (EU); and tested on the ground the feasibility and effectiveness of technical and policy instruments aimed at addressing major present and future threats to environmental sustainability and climate related impacts. The MedProgramme is expected to deliver a set of complementary results embracing three categories of priorities identified by the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) for the Mediterranean Sea which are translated into three components of the Programme: i) Reduction of Land-Based Pollution in Priority Coastal Hotspots and measuring progress to impacts; ii) Enhancing Sustainability and Climate Resilience in the Coastal Zone; and iii) Protecting Marine Biodiversity. In line with the GEF Council approval of the MedProgramme and the GEF CEO endorsement of its related Child Projects 1.1 (GEF ID 9684), 2.1 (GEF ID 9687), 2.2 (GEF ID 9685), and 4.1 (GEF ID 9686), the MedProgramme should execute a set of activities aligned with the GEF IW priorities focusing on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM); Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM); coastal aquifers management; reduction of land sources of pollution; Water, Energy, Food and Ecosystems Nexus; climate change adaption; protection of biodiversity and measure of the progress to impacts generated by the activities executed under the MedProgramme. Under the direct supervision of the MedProgramme Coordination Officer and the overall coordination and guidance from UNEP/MAP Deputy Coordinator, the individual contractor will be responsible for undertaking the following tasks: 1) Prepare a detailed work plan and timetable for the assignment further to the below tasks and deliverables for the review and approval of UNEP/MAP. Task to be completed in the first month of the assignment; 2) Prepare written outputs including draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to relevant scientific reports and scientific peer-reviewed publications, GEF Experience Notes, summaries for policymakers, etc. related to the Child Projects of the MedProgramme and FishEBM Med; 3) Prepare two key contributions and technical inputs to the MedProgramme’s Annual Stocktaking Meetings provided at least one month prior to the ASM meetings planned in Q2 and Q4 2024 (including draft technical documentations and presentations); 4) Prepare six (6) annual work plans and budget forecasts, agendas for steering committee meetings for CP 1.1, 2.2, 3.1 and SCCF taking place in March (1 set of reports), April (1 set of reports), June (2 sets of reports) 2024 and February (2 sets of reports) and March 2025 (2 sets of reports); 5) Prepare three (3) contributions to IW: LEARN and other GEF-relevant initiatives and events (in Q3 and Q4 2024); 6) Identify and provide data types, sources and documents and reports from the Child Projects of the MedProgramme and FishEBM Med during Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 2024 to UNEP/GRID and/or InfoRAC for inclusion in the KMS; 7) Provide substantive inputs for at least three (3) Terms of References (TORs) for technical experts during Q1 2024; 8) Provide inputs for quarterly progress reports of the Child Projects executed by UNEP/MAP for the Implementing Agencies, as specified in the relevant Internal Cooperation Agreements in Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 2024 and Q1 2025; 9) Provided technical inputs to the Med Bulletin in Q2 and Q4 2024; 10) Provide technical inputs and support to the MedPCU for the development, and content population of the MedProgramme knowledge platform during Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 2024 and Q1 2025; 11) Provide five technical contributions to the production of communications products during Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 2024 and Q1 2025; 12) Prepare technical support for the timely delivery of 2024 Project Implementation Reports (PIR) of the Child Projects 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 4.1 as well as SCCF and FishEBM Med projects executed by UNEP/MAP in Q3 2024; 13) Provide support and technical inputs to various aspects related to MedProgramme execution at request at any time of this consultancy; 14) Prepare a final report on the assignment linking deliverables in the action plan versus those achieved by the end of the assignment.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in the field of environment, environmental science, natural resource management and/or engineering is required. A minimum of 7 years relevant experience in the preparation and/or execution of environmental projects and water management, ideally in the Mediterranean is required. Experience developing, executing, monitoring and reporting activities and projects’ outcomes and outputs is required in the field of environment, including in at least two of the following aspects: o Execution of activities generating global environmental benefits addressing priorities of GEF IW focal area o Execution of activities related to the thematic priorities of UNEP/MAP (ICZM, IWRM, management of coastal aquifers, climate change adaptation, Sustainable Consumption and Production, protection of biodiversity and reduction of land-based sources of pollution) o Establishment and development of strategic partnerships o Experience in monitoring, evaluation and result-based management tools of regional projects ideally in the Mediterranean o Experience in/facilitation skills for meetings and training Strong analytical skills and ability to effectively articulate and present findings orally and in writing are required. Good knowledge of the UNEP/MAP system and the GEF Partnership in the context of the Mediterranean region is desirable. Experience in a governmental, multilateral, national or civil society organization is required.

Languages

Fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Working knowledge of French is an advantage.

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.