Result of Service
The key result of the consultancy will be a written report covering all the three elements mentioned above, namely: 1. A situational analysis; 2. A proposal for a system for monitoring illegal killing of jaguars, illegal trade in their parts and derivatives and other aspects related to conservation. 3. Well-researched options for an intergovernmental platform that will allow the transboundary cooperation of range States for Jaguar with the support of conservation organizations.
Work Location
Remote working. Regular communication and reporting will be made through virtual means (email, MS Teams, and others).
Expected duration
The duration of the work is estimated to be 40 working days within 5 Months maximum. Start date as soon as possible (between 25 November and 9 December 2024)
Duties and Responsibilities
The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between states. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival (www.cites.org). The CITES Secretariat is administered by UN Environment and is located at the Geneva duty station. This assignment is part of the CITES Secretariat’s work under the Legal Unit in relation to Decision 19.111 on Jaguars (Panthera onca). The consultant will undertake some of the tasks under Decision 19.111 which is directed to the Secretariat in line with the recommendations of the Standing Committee at SC77. Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Legal Unit, the consultant shall:
1. Undertake a situational analysis that includes: a) mapping of main players that generate or report information relating to jaguar conservation and threats, illegal trade in their parts and derivatives and other aspects related to conservation; b) data quality (quality of data currently being collected by various players); c) technological requirements to guarantee the interoperability and sustainability of a proposed solution for a monitoring system; d) agreed definition of variables or indicators; e) existing and proposed initiatives, including their scope, linkages and complementarities, to promote integration, leverage cooperation and avoid duplication of efforts/information; and f) consult with range States, other actors identified, as well as the secretariats of CITES, the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) relating to variables, indicators and strategic information available based on their respective mandates, as appropriate.
2. Develop a proposal for a modular system for monitoring i) illegal killing of jaguars, ii) illegal trade in their parts and derivatives and iii) other aspects related to conservation. The proposal should include proposed objective and purpose, components, and functionality and take the following into consideration: a) the results of the situational analysis. b) promoting and supporting reporting to the CITES Illegal Trade Database as an integral part of the envisaged system. This includes ensuring that any system established aligns with the current CITES Annual Illegal Trade Report template and guidelines , to facilitate data recording in a standardized manner that can easily be submitted and processed for inclusion in the database. c) data in the CITES Illegal Trade Database is available to Parties for analyses regarding wildlife crime as it affects them, through the CITES Illegal Trade Database data dissemination platform, d) the system should be able to produce a periodic report on the status of the jaguar in range States for submission to each meeting of the Conference of the Parties (see document SC77 doc. 43, para. 16).
3. Propose options for an intergovernmental platform including its components, objectives, and functionality, with reference to paragraph 21 of document SC77 Doc. 43, including the option of a joint CITES-CMS jaguar initiative. The proposal should include the following considerations: a) an intergovernmental cooperation mechanism, its governance and a budget, as well as a glossary and an inventory of existing national platforms [see document SC77 Doc. 43, para. 21)]; b) the platform should include a working programme with five thematic areas: i) habitat/conservation; ii) promotion of coexistence; iii) prevention (this may include strategies to reduce the demand of illegal jaguar products, livelihood alternatives, cooperation mechanisms, education, etc.); iv) enforcement (i.e., combating illegal killing of jaguars and illegal trade in their parts and derivatives); and v) funding mechanisms as specified in paragraph 22 of document SC77 doc. 43.
Qualifications/special skills
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in biological sciences. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 15 years of experience are required for this post.
• At least five years of relevant work experience in CITES, wildlife conservation or related area is required.
• Experience with international organizations is an advantage.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; Experience in preparation of presentations and briefing notes is desirable. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Have affinity with or interest in conservation and sustainable use of wildlife, and the UN System
Languages
Fluency in spoken and written English is required; Working knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese is a strong advantage.
Additional Information
The consultant will report to the chief of the Legal Unit of the Secretariat who will evaluate the outputs of the consultant. No travel should be required. All meetings and engagements will be done through virtual means or face-to-face in case the selected individual for this consultancy work resides near Geneva. Payments will be made upon successful completion, review and quality assurance of the deliverables specified under Outputs/Work Assignment above. All deliverables must be submitted by the contractor to the respective direct Supervisors and certified as being of adequate quality and meeting the terms of the deliverables before payments will be made. Competencies: Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to CITES Secretariat; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to CITES Secretariat procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
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.