Individual Contractor to Support the MAP Secretariat with the Preparations of COP24 (P.3 level)

Result of ServiceThe ultimate result of services is the provision of effective support to the Secretariat and the host country for the successful preparation and holding of the 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties (Cairo, Egypt, 2-5 December 2025). Work LocationHome based Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP's ecosystems 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 assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), Athens, Greece. The Mediterranean Action Plan, approved in 1975, was developed under the UNEP Regional Seas Programme. It is a regional effort involving 21 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the European Union. The Barcelona Convention and its Protocols provide the legal framework for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean. In line with Article 17 of the Barcelona Convention, UNEP provides secretariat services to the Contracting Parties of the Convention through the MAP Coordinating Unit, based in Athens, Greece. To this end, the Coordinating Unit organizes and provides the secretariat services for the meetings of the main Bodies established within the MAP framework. The Contracting Parties decide on the MAP policies, strategies, budget and programme of work at their Ministerial level meetings (COP), held every two years. To prepare this Ministerial meeting, the MAP Focal Points review the progress of work and the draft Decisions at their meeting held a few months before the COP. The Bureau of six representatives of the Contracting Parties, provides guidance on the implementation of the Programme of Work in the interim period between the COP meetings and meets approximately twice a year. The next, 24th Meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP24) is planned to take place in Cairo, Egypt, on 2-5 December 2025. The preparatory activities for 2025 will involve one Bureau meeting on 1-2 July 2025 which is instrumental for the COP preparations, as well as the MAP Focal Points meeting, planned for 16-19 September 2025 in Athens, Greece. In line with the above, the Programme of Work (PoW) and Budget for 2024-2025 of UNEP/MAP (Decision IG.26/14, adopted at COP 23 (Portoroz, Slovenia, 5-8 December 2023) includes, under Outcome 5.2. “Systemic strengthening and effective functioning and delivery of MAP decision-making and advisory bodies ensured, and efficiency enhanced with new digital approaches”, Activity 5.2.1. “Deliver successfully COP24 of MAP Barcelona Convention”. In this respect, the UNEP/MAP Coordinating Unit needs the services of an Individual Contractor to support the preparation of the next Meeting of the Contracting Parties (COP24), planned to take place in Cairo, Egypt, on 2-5 December 2025, and to act as liaison between the Coordinating Unit and the Government of Egypt, host country of the COP. Tasks Under the supervision of the MAP Programme Officer (Governance), and under the overall guidance of the MAP Deputy Coordinator and Coordinator, the Individual Contractor will be responsible for the following tasks: (1) support the preparation and organization of the 24th Meeting of Contracting Parties (COP24), facilitating in particular issues related to the relations with the host country; (2) act as liaison between the Coordinating Unit and the Government of Egypt, host country of the COP24. Specific tasks The Individual Contractor is expected to undertake the following tasks and responsibilities: 1. Hold consultations with the Coordinating Unit staff and background reading; 2. Hold consultations with the Government of Egypt; 3. Support the finalization of the Host Country Agreement (HCA) of the COP, liaising between the Government of Egypt and the Coordinating Unit, as need be; 4. Contribute inputs to the preparation of reports, briefings and other documents related to the preparation of the COP, for the Bureau, MAP Focal Points, media, UNEP Headquarters and partners as required; 5. Support the preparation of the main theme/Ministerial Session of the COP and of the Ministerial Declaration, liaising with the Host Country and keeping abreast of their expectations and priorities; 6. Support the organization and preparation of side events, award ceremonies and partner-related events at the COP, liaising between the Government of Egypt and the Coordinating Unit; 7. Facilitate liaison between Coordinating Unit and Host Country on logistics, including on press/media coverage, security and VIP arrangements. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, environmental sciences, law or other relevant political or social science areas is required; At least 5 years of relevant professional working experience is required; Very good understanding of the UNEP/MAP system, its structure and operation is highly desirable; Good knowledge of office software is required; Knowledge of gender mainstreaming issues is highly desirable. LanguagesFluency (written and oral) in English is required. Fluency in Arabic is highly desirable; Additional InformationNot available. 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.