Result of Service
The consultant is expected to develop methodological solutions and guidelines for the compilation of two main SEEA-related headline-indicators for the monitoring framework of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) – namely A.2: Extent of natural ecosystems, based on the ecosystem extent account; and B.1: Services provided by ecosystems, based on the ecosystem services account. The compilation guidelines will be developed to support Parties to the CBD to compile and report data for these two indicators in line with the adopted metadata for these indicators.
Expected duration
12 months
Duties and Responsibilities
Background: The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) plays a central leadership role in the international statistical and data community in promoting norms and standards. It supports strengthening of the capacity of Member States with regards to the production and use of high-quality, timely, disaggregated, open data and national statistics and geospatial information to inform policy and decision-making at the national and international levels, for national policy agendas, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other United Nations policy agendas. UNSD is implementing a project to support countries in the compilation of System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) related headline indicators for the monitoring framework of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The monitoring framework of the GBF contains headline indicators to be used by countries to report on goals and targets starting in 2026. The framework includes a clear recognition of the role of official statistics and national statistical offices in developing and implementing it, as well as the role of statistical standards such as the SEEA in providing high-quality, relevant and coherent data. A number of indicators of the GBF make reference to the concepts and methods of the SEEA. In particular, the headline indicator A.2 under Goal A and B.1 under Goal B are based on the SEEA Ecosystem Accounting. The overall objective of the UNSD’s project is to support countries to report on the SEEA-related indicators of the GBF monitoring framework by developing compilation guidelines and global tools and datasets for these indicators and testing these in three project countries. The consultant will contribute to the first objective of the project by leading the development of the compilation guidelines for the SEEA-related indicators. Duties and responsibilities: The consultant will lead the development of the compilation guidelines for the two main SEEA-related headline indicators in the GBF monitoring framework – namely A.2: Extent of natural ecosystems, based on the ecosystem extent account; and B.1: Services provided by ecosystems, based on the ecosystem services account. The compilation guidelines will be developed to support Parties to the CBD to compile and report data for these two indicators in line with the adopted metadata for these indicators. Specifically, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: • Develop methodological solutions and provide expert advice and guidance for countries to compile the data for the two headline indicators in line with the requirements set out in the metadata for the indicators and taking into consideration existing work at global and regional level, such as the EU guidelines/regulations on ecosystem accounts; • Prepare technical papers and lead discussions on the methodological approaches for the two indicators with the members of the task team(s) established under the Technical Committee on SEEA Ecosystem Accounting and at the expert meetings that will be organized under the project; • Prepare an assessment of which other indicators of the GBF monitoring framework could be informed by the SEEA; • Prepare draft and final versions of compilation guidelines for each of the two indicators; and • Engage with interested stakeholders and the CBD on the development of methodology for the two indicators.
Qualifications/special skills
Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, political sciences, international studies and development, environmental sciences, geography, or related field. Experience: 1) A minimum of 20 years of proven relevant experience in government institutions, UN system, non-governmental organization, consultancy service or a related organization is required. 2) Experience with compilation of ecosystem accounts is essential. 3) Experience in area of biodiversity assessment, indicators and reporting is essential. 4) Experience with mapping the spatial distribution of ecosystems and modelling ecosystem services is desirable. 5) Experience in leading and implementing projects in statistics, environment, biodiversity or related field is highly desirable. 6) Experience in drafting international technical guidelines is desirable.
Languages
Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
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.