Consultant – Stakeholder Engagement and Meetings of COP and Subsidiary Bodies

Result of ServiceThe consultant will produce documents and reports for the two SBI meetings, COP-17 and COP-MOPs, and pre and post COP-17 meetings of the Bureau planned for 2025-2026. The outputs are clustered in the following three categories: 1. Pre-Meeting Outputs o Pre-session documents including reports, working and information documents. o Briefing packages for the Chair and Secretary of the SBI. o Guidance documents on synergies between MEAs, GEF and GEF-9 replenishment, and mechanisms for effective stakeholder participation in each of the meetings. 2. In-Session Outputs o In-session documents including conference room papers, draft recommendations, summary of relevant discussion and comments on draft papers. o Real-time substantive support to the Chair and the Secretary of SBI. 3. Post-Meeting Outputs o Reports of the meetings. o Documents capturing best practices and lessons-learned. o Reports on stakeholder engagement and participation including highlighting participation levels, issues raised, and recommendations for improvement. Work LocationIn the office and remote home-based Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesORGANIZATIONAL SETTING The United Nations Environment Programme 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. At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for 'sustainable development'. The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature in Rio in 1992. The Convention has three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and is administered by United Nations Environment Programme. Its main tasks are to arrange for and service meetings of the Conference of the Parties, including preparation of pertinent documentation, operation of the central node of the clearing-house mechanism, liaison and coordination with other international bodies and processes and, in close collaboration with these partners, the provision of technical support for the effective implementation of the Convention. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a multilateral treaty with 196 Parties, aiming to conserve biological diversity, promote sustainable use, and ensure equitable benefit-sharing. The Secretariat is administered by UNEP and based in Montreal. The Convention, among others, is served by its Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI), which provides guidance on review of progress, strategic and operational issues, and mechanisms for implementation of the Convention and its protocols. Effective preparation, conduct, and follow-up of SBI meetings are critical for enabling Parties and stakeholders to engage meaningfully and for ensuring that outcomes are of high quality, timely, and actionable. To this end, the Secretariat seeks the services of a consultant to support the Chair and the Secretary of the SBI as well as COP Bureau in the preparation of documents and reports, engagement of all stakeholders and IOs, and follow-up of SBI meetings COP 17, and COP-MOPs with specific responsibilities in advancing finalization of meeting documentation, supporting the work of the Bureau and Chair, and preparing reports. The consultant will report to the Director of the Implementation Support Division, under the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary. Duties and Responsibilities The objective of the consultancy is to provide strategic leadership to ensure effective and timely participation of stakeholders, smooth organization, and high-quality outcomes of SBI meetings, COP17 and COP-MOPs, through timely production of official documentation and reports. The consultant will deliver targeted outputs for SBI 6, SBI 7, COP17 and COP-MOPs to support the Secretariat, Chair and Secretary of the SBI, and the senior management. Responsibilities will include: 1. Lead and oversee the preparation of pre-session and in-session documents for SBI 6, SBI 7, COP17 and COP-MOPs · Prepare documents for the meetings, ensuring consistency, clarity, and alignment with CBD rules of procedure and UN documentation standards for review by the Divisional Director and final approval by the Executive Secretary. The consultant will coordinate with technical officers and the documentation unit to solicit inputs for timely preparation and submission of all documents. 2. Support the organization of meetings of the Bureau and SBI as well as COP 17 and COP-MOPs · Advise and guide the Chair and the Secretary of SBI, and COP Bureau, including through preparing summaries of relevant substantive documents, drafting speaking points and interventions, as well as inputs for the annotated agendas, and chairing notes. · Draft summaries of discussions, comments relevant for assigned documents, and tables for tracking follow-up actions. 3. Enable synergies between MEAs and facilitate stakeholder engagement and participation in CBD meetings including COP / COP-MOPs · Design and lead strategies to foster synergies between MEAs especially the three Rio Conventions and the biodiversity-related conventions. · Inform and facilitate the engagement, cooperation and coordination with international processes, conventions, organizations, cities, sub-national and local authorities and initiatives relevant to the Convention including regional bodies, ministerial coalitions, business associations, and civil society networks. · Drive initiative to enhance inclusiveness, transparency, and timely access to information and meeting documents for all stakeholders and partners. · Inform and facilitate Secretariat’s engagement with strategic partners such as the Global Environment Facility and other funds. · Facilitate political support for the Convention and its Protocols, including through contributions to the agenda and organization of high-level segments of Convention meetings. · Inform the Secretariat’s effective participation in high-level events organized by parties, stakeholders, partners. 4. Review and revise reports related to the financial mechanism of the Convention and the Protocols including for the GEF-9 replenishment cycle · Lead the drafting of the review by parties and senior managers, revise documents and reports related to the financial mechanism of the Convention and its Protocols including on the needs of Parties for the GEF-9 replenishment cycle. · Provide guidance for consolidation of information for monitoring and evaluation of operations of the financial mechanism, and the periodic review of its effectiveness to inform guidance by the Conference of the Parties. · Advise Parties through high level and strategic documents for the implementation of the Convention and its Protocols, in accordance with requests made by the Conference of the Parties. 5. Document best practices and lessons learned · Produce high level analytical notes on best practices and lessons learned from each meeting to inform planning for future sessions. · Drive continuous improvement of meeting processes and stakeholder engagement practices. 6. Undertakes other functions that will be needed for making SBI 6, SBI and COP 17 a success, as assigned by the supervisor. Qualifications/special skillsAcademic qualifications: Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental sciences, economics, international relations, or related fields is required. Experience: · Minimum 10 years of experience in biodiversity policy and related stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships is required. · Proven track record in successfully supporting intergovernmental processes related to biodiversity and coordinating with international organizations is desirable. · Extensive experience with multilateral environmental agreements, international organizations, international finance institutions or intergovernmental processes is desirable. Skills: · Strong analytical and strategic planning skills. · Excellent communication, including writing and editing skills. · Expertise in supporting complex negotiations. · Ability to manage stakeholder relationships with diverse groups. Competencies: Professionalism - Planning and organizing - Teamwork LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French or another UN official languages is desirable. NOTE: \"Fluency equals a rating of \"fluent\" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and \"Knowledge of\" equals a rating of \"confident\" in two of the four areas. Additional InformationSpecial conditions The consultancy is open to international consultants. However, as the consultant is expected to be physically present in the Secretariat’s offices in Montreal for the majority of the contract’s duration, ensuring close coordination with the Secretariat’s teams and timely delivery of outputs, the successful candidate will make their own arrangement to live and work in Canada. Travel may be required for participation in high-level meetings and consultations. No FeeTHE 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.