VAC-11715 Technical Expert Global Biodiversity Framework

Yemen as one of the countries that are very rich in biodiversity, is benefiting from this global Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) EAS project through provision of technical & financial support. The project in Yemen will focus on the following three outcomes:

• NBSAP are ready to be aligned & national biodiversity targets are aligned with post 2020 GBF & relevant SDG targets. This will be achieved through a rapid review of NBSAP, review & update of the NBSAP national targets & update of the NBSAP through an inclusive whole of government process to be in line with the GBF.

• Enhanced & improved monitoring, reporting systems & transparency frameworks. This will be achieved through assessing & identifying gaps in the monitoring systems & developing a plan for enhancing the monitoring systems that responds to the updated national targets & GBF.

• Actions for policy alignment & coherence on nature related sectors Identified: This will be achieved through a rapid review of existing national policies related to biodiversity & their alignment with the GBF, development of an action plan for policy coherence & completion of other early actions related to policy alignment & coherence.

Specific responsibilities of the Policy & Institutional Expert include the following:

• Work closely with Project Coordinator throughout the process, including supporting the establishment of the policy review working group, ensuring that it is formed to cover biodiversity related sectors & institutions.

• Take lead & coordinate the activities of the policy working group, ensuring provision of required inputs & outputs as well.

• Analyze & review current policies & institutions as they relate to biodiversity.

• Rapid review of & alignment of existing national policies related to biodiversity with the post 2020 GBF, including, national policies of related sectors such as agriculture, environment, biodiversity, water resources, energy, climate change mitigation & adaptation, poverty & other relevant country strategies.

• Identify national policies relating to biodiversity that have national targets and should also be considered in the alignment process.

• These may include targets within sectoral or development plans & commitments under other Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) & the Rio conventions to which the country is a party.

• Identifying policy gaps & inconsistencies within the existing NBSAP & the GBF, using whole of government approach.

• Identify opportunities for enhanced mainstreaming of biodiversity, into the sectors.

• Develop a prioritized set of actions to fill policy & institutional gaps & advance the country toward policy coherence.

• Identify policy measures to achieve the targets.

• Develop concrete & prioritized set of actions to fill institutional gaps & advance the country toward policy coherence taking a whole of government approach & taking into account the long term strategic approach to policies & programs to meet the national targets & contribute to the global goals & targets, including financial aspects, as appropriate.

• Work in close collaboration & consultation with the International Consultant, seek advice on experience of other countries & use all available relevant information, data & guidance provided by the global project team.

The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

The consultant will be working on home based basis under the direct guidance & supervision of the national Project Coordinator while also benefit from the technical guidance of the International Consultant & the Peace Operations Support Unit Leaders. S / He will also work in consultation with environment team in Aden country sub office. To produce the four deliverables, the consultant is expected to exercise leadership & coordination to ensure timely & proper completion of the expected outputs. The consultant is also expected to coordinate consultations with the policy working group, all relevant stakeholders, including government & research institutions, NGOs & communities. The consultant will provide a one page succinct progress report on monthly basis to our client & the National Coordinator.

• Master’s degree or higher in policy & institutional reform, anthropology, sociology, management of development, environmental management / sciences, conservation biology / ecology geography, natural resource management, or in another related field with a minimum of 5 years’ experience on (academic or work) with developing biodiversity plans, strategies, studies & assessments, policy & institutional reform / development including working with national & international institutions, civil society, governmental authorities (national, regional, state, local) is desired.

• Experience & knowledge (academic or work) on policy development / review & institutional reform.

• Experience of working for UN & / or public sector donor funded projects.

• Fluency in English & Arabic language are required.

The Technical Expert to undertake the policy & institutional review & alignment for coherence with the GBF in Yemen consultant will manage & coordinate with a team of experts. S / He will be responsible of the overall implementation of the activities described in the TOR & the global project documents, in the field of update & realignment of the policies. S / He will work in close coordination & report to the Project Coordinator & benefit from the continuous guidance of the International Consultant. Our clients Yemen country office management is responsible for validating deliverables prior to the issuance of payments.

Payment will be as a lump sum on deliverable based basis & achievements approved by the line manager as follows:

• Deliverable 1: Rapid review of existing national policies related to biodiversity & their alignment with the GBF is conducted – 30% of total payment.

• Deliverable 2 & 3: An aligned, whole of government approach that captures the values of biodiversity is developed & the prioritized action plan for policy coherence is completed – 40% of total payment.

• Deliverable 4: Other early actions related to policy alignment & coherence are completed & submission or all final documents of the assignment –  30% of total payment.

Other generic info:

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.