CONSULTANT- ILK CAPACITY BUILDING IN MEXICO

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Mexico City

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 30/04/2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

BACKGROUND

In accordance with UNESCO’s Programme and Budget for 2022-2023 (41 C/5), Major Programme II: Natural Sciences – Strategic Objective 2, Outcome 3.SC1 – “Inclusive knowledge and capacities of Member States strengthened to advance and apply science for sustainable management of natural resources, ecosystem and biodiversity conservation and restoration, and disaster risk resilience”, and within the framework of the mobilisation of Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) support to the Mexico City Office; work under the overall authority of the Head of Mexico City Office and the supervision of the Chief of Section for Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) programme perform the tasks stipulated hereunder.

Long Description

SCOPE OF WORK

The aim of this Consultant role is to help develop the capacity of the UNESCO Mexico City Office to work with Indigenous and Local Knowledge holder, notably in relation to scientific assessments and in relation to UNESCO’s Intersectoral Programme 3 on Indigenous knowledge, languages and cultures.

Long Description

A: Provide support and mentoring on Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) to the staff of the UNESCO Mexico City Office

Tasks to include:

1. 1. Provide orientation to the Mexico City staff on the principles of Indigenous knowledge production and transdisciplinary cooperation, including an introduction to Intersectoral Programme 3, the outcomes of IPBES and BES Net Assessments.
   2. Support Mexico City Office in scoping for potential partners and donors, networks and relevant initiatives associated with Indigenous knowledge systems and the environment, including in relation to UNESCO designated sites.
   3. Contribute to an annotated guide to key national and regional networks and institutions engaged in ILK research and assessment.
   4. Support Mexico City Office in preparing a plan of action for linking Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenous Languages to a its Biennium work plan (under 3.SC1, 5.IP3 and other relevant outcomes).
   5. Support Mexico Office including Intersectoral Programme 3 and the knowledge components in the Office strategy for the implementation of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
   6. Prepare a summary news item for publication on leading Mexican ILK initiatives in relation to the Mexico City Office work plan and LINKS priorities.

      Long Description

      1. B . Provide support to Transdisciplinary dialogues, assessments and global processes
         1. Support LINKS on the development of activities and communications for the Joint Programme of Work on the links between Biological and Cultural Diversity, with a focus on Mexico and Latin America including communicating with participants, developing key background documents and supporting the implementation of any workshops and webinars.
         2. Support LINKS and the Mexico City Office on preparations for the UNCBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia, in cooperation with other UNESCO Field Offices (San Jose, Kingston and Guatemala), including identifying expert contributors, communicating with key partners and supporting the organization of events or activities connected to the COP.
         3. Work with LINKS on the design and delivery of an online training course on Indigenous and local knowledge and the science policy interface, including supporting the development and delivery of the course (September 2024).
         4. Support LINKS in the delivery of online and in-person Indigenous and local knowledge dialogue workshops and webinars for global-scale IPBES assessments, including for the second global assessment, business and biodiversity assessment, monitoring assessment and invasive alien species assessment, including communicating with participants, developing key background documents and supporting the implementation of the workshops and webinars.
         5. Support LINKS in its work with the IPBES ILK task force, including the organization and implementation of the in-person meeting of the IPBES task force on Indigenous and local knowledge and assisting in the extension of a review of ILK methods in IPBES.

            COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C)Communication (C)Innovation (C)Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)Planning and organizing (C)Results focus (C)Teamwork (C)Professionalism (C)

            - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

            REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

            Education

            • Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent required) in natural sciences, ecological sciences or relevant social sciences and humanities.

              Work experience

              • A minimum of five years of professional experience environmental assessments, biodiversity, transdisciplinary research and dialogue, Indigenous and local knowledge systems, science policy or community engagement