Policy Coherence and Integration Analyst

Result of ServiceThe consultancy will build on the existing policy alignment work and relevant on-going work streams of UNEP. In line with the objectives of the GEF Early Action Technical Support and the GEF-8 Umbrella Programme for NBSAP update and 7th National Reports, the consultancy will support countries with the application of effective Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approaches, towards advancing policy coherence and alignment in updated NBSAPs and implementation processes and 7th National Report preparation. Work LocationAnglophone Africa Region Expected duration7 Months Duties and Responsibilities1. Duties and Responsibilities: Background: 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. 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 capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The Biodiversity Policy Specialist will be engaged by the Nature Frameworks Support Unit and will contribute to UNEP's work in supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) through the Global Environment Facility (GEF)- funded Biodiversity Enabling Activities: Global Biodiversity Framework - Early Action Support project (EAS), and the associated GEF 8 Umbrella Programme to Support NBSAP Update and 7th National Reports (NBSAP/7NR project). These enabling activities are country-led efforts to fast-track readiness and early actions to implement the KMGBF. They include support for updating of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and the preparation of the 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The projects provide financial and technical assistance to 139 developing, small island, and middle-income nations in their work to align their NBSAPs with the KMGBF; develop and update their national monitoring systems; design strategies for policy and institutional alignment; develop biodiversity finance plans; and prepare their 7th National Reports to the CBD. The projects are country-led with joint implementation support from UNEP and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the CBD Secretariat and the GEF. The EAS project began in 2023 and will continue implementation through early 2026, while the NBSAP/7NR project was launched in mid-2024 and implementation will continue through late 2027. The results of a recent survey undertaken to identify technical needs of participating countries to update their NBSAPs, technical support for policy alignment and coherence was among the top five needs selected by countries. In view of above, the Biodiversity Policy Specialist will support national and regional efforts to strengthen biodiversity conservation through evidence-based policy development, analysis, and advocacy. In particular, the Specialist will contribute to the development and support implementation of NBSAPs that incorporate policy coherence and alignment to facilitate implementation of the GBF aligned NBSAPs. The Specialist will be engaged, to carry out activities in the Anglophone Africa region, supported by UNEP. The initial duration for this consultancy will be for a period of 10 months. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the Nature Frameworks Support Unit, in coordination with the Programme Management Officers working on the EAS and NBSAP Update and 7th National Reports projects. Qualifications/special skillsAn advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in environmental sciences, environmental law, natural resources management or a related social science field is desirable. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree is required. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in supporting implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at multiple levels (international, regional, and national) is required. Experience in country and stakeholder engagement on biodiversity issues, including supporting development and implementation of national action plans on environment and biodiversity is required. LanguagesFluency in English (written and oral) is required. Knowledge of Portuguese is desirable. Knowledge of any other another language is an asset. 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.