Result of Service

By the end of the consultancy, the consultant should provide 1. An inception report outlining workplan for delivery. 2. A progress report on the development of draft small-scale funding agreements or Project Cooperation Agreements (SSFAs/PCAs) for review by project manager. 3. A report on a regional meeting linking WIO Ocean Governance approaches to the African Ocean Governance Strategy 4. Technical reports of the 2024 SAPPHIRE Project Steering Committee meetings. 5. A progress report on meetings organized towards the 11th Nairobi Convention Conference of parties (COP11). 6. A progress report on a regional ABNJ meeting linking MSP as a planning tool. 7. A progress report on field visits to monitor progress in the implementation of demonstration projects as required. 8. A report of workshop organized to promote sharing of experiences, lessons learned and best practices from the demonstration projects. 9. A progress report on updating/development of National Oil Spill Contingency Plans and sensitivity maps in at least two project countries (as required). 10. A report on a regional meeting on the adoption and implementation of regional Ecosystem Monitoring indicators and framework. 11. A progress report on a leadership training in the WIO region. 12. A progress report on training of water quality management authorities on implementation of water quality framework at a national level. 13. A progress report on training of national data center staff on ecosystem monitoring as per the regional Ecosystem Monitoring Framework.

Work Location

Home-Based

Expected duration

12 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. UNEP's Ecosystem 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. The Nairobi Convention Secretariat for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Western Indian Ocean region, is within the Ecosystems Division of UNEP. This position is home-based and is located within the Nairobi Convention secretariat. BACKGROUND OF THE CONSULTANCY UNEP-The Nairobi Convention, under the project on the “Western Indian Ocean Large Marine Ecosystems Strategic Action Programme Policy Harmonisation and Institutional Reforms (SAPPHIRE) requires a highly motivated national consultant to assist the Project Coordinator with the day-to-day technical management of the Project. The consultant will undertake various activities focusing on enhancing the ecosystem-based management of the resources of the WIO Large Marine Ecosystems, improved ocean governance in the WIO, improved ecosystem monitoring, capacity enhancement on marine spatial planning and enhanced regional and national responses to oil spills. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical assistance in activities focusing on enhancing the ecosystem-based management of the resources of the WIO Large Marine Ecosystems, improved ocean governance in the WIO, improved ecosystem monitoring, capacity enhancement on marine spatial planning and enhanced regional and national responses to oil spills DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Under the general supervision of the Head of the Secretariat of the Nairobi Convention, and direct supervision of the project manager, the consultant will undertake the following tasks related to enhancing the ecosystem-based management of the resources of the WIO Large Marine Ecosystems, improved ocean governance in the WIO, improved ecosystem monitoring, capacity enhancement on marine spatial planning and enhanced regional and national responses to oil spills. • 1. Review demonstration project proposals from countries and partners participating in the SAPPHIRE project and draft legal instruments (small-scale funding agreements/Project Cooperation Agreements) for review by programme coordinator. 2. Organize the technical components and write a report on a regional meeting linking WIO Ocean Governance approaches to the African Ocean Governance Strategy. 3. Work with the SAPPHIRE project management unit, Focal Points in the organization and reporting of the 2024 SAPPHIRE Project Steering Committee meetings. 4. In collaboration with the SAPPHIRE Project management unit and the Nairobi Convention Secretariat, organize at least two meetings towards the 11th Nairobi Convention Conference of parties (COP11). 5. Organize the technical components and write a report on a regional ABNJ meeting linking MSP as a planning tool. 6. Travel to the field to monitor progress in the implementation of demonstration projects and prepare reports as required. 7. Work with countries and partners to promote sharing of experiences, lessons learned and best practices from the demonstration projects. 8. Work with focal points and partners in updating/development of National Oil Spill Contingency Plans and sensitivity maps in at least two project countries (as required). 9. Organize the technical components and write a report on a regional meeting on the adoption and implementation of regional Ecosystem Monitoring indicators and framework. 10. Organize the technical components and write a report on leadership training in the WIO region. 11. Organize the technical components and write a report on training of water quality management authorities on implementation of water quality framework at a national level. 12. Organize the technical components and write a report on training of national data center staff on ecosystem monitoring as per the regional Ecosystem Monitoring Framework.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (a Master's degree or equivalent) is required in Marine Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources Management or similar disciplines. • A minimum of 5 years of professional experience is required, working on regional marine and coastal-related projects at a technical level. • Experience in development/review of proposals for small-scale interventions in coastal ecosystems conservation, natural resources management (ecosystem management, climate change, community engagement, water resource management etc.) is desirable. • Experience working with different stakeholders at both strategic and technical levels is desirable. • Working knowledge of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region and experience of working with the Governments of the WIO region is required. • Experience in working in a multidisciplinary environment and demonstrated broad understanding of developmental matters in the WIO region is required. • Demonstrated competency in excellent scientific/technical writing and consistency in critical writing and review of documents is desirable. • Ability to work within very short timelines and with minimum supervision with be an added advantage.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in 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.