Senior Consultant – G7 Nature Compact Progress Review

Result of ServiceThe overall result of services will be the delivery of a high-quality, evidence-based and policy-relevant G7 Nature Compact Progress Review (2021–2025) that provides a concise assessment of collective progress and actionable recommendations to guide future implementation toward the 2030 targets. Work LocationHomebased Expected duration4 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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. This consultancy assignment will support the work of the GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit in the Biodiversity and Land Branch, Ecosystems Division. The Senior Consultant will provide high-level analytical, technical, and coordination support to UNEP for the preparation of the G7 Nature Compact Progress Review (2021–2025). The assignment will involve leading the analytical framework, ensuring methodological rigor, coordinating inputs from UNEP divisions and external partners, and preparing a concise, policy-relevant synthesis report. The consultant shall report to the Deputy Director, Ecosystems Specific duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 1. Technical Guidance and Analytical Leadership • Lead the design and implementation of the analytical framework and methodology for the progress review, ensuring coherence with the four pillars of the G7 Nature Compact: transition, investment, conservation and restoration, and accountability. • Provide expert guidance on data sources, indicators, and assessment criteria, ensuring consistency with global biodiversity, climate, and pollution monitoring frameworks (e.g. GBF, UNEA outcomes, UNEP’s Global Environmental Data Strategy, etc). • Ensure integration of cross-cutting themes including nature–climate–pollution interlinkages, economic transformation, and the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and local communities where relevant. • Advise on data quality, comparability, and interpretation, ensuring the evidence base is credible, transparent, and suitable for high-level policy consideration. • Provide technical direction and quality assurance, including guidance on research priorities, data collection, referencing, and drafting of annexes. 2. Evidence Review and Assessment • Lead the desk-based review of existing global and G7-relevant reports and data sources, including CBD NBSAP updates, GBF monitoring frameworks, UNEP’s State of Finance for Nature and related reports, as well as relevant G7 Ministerial outcomes and analytical publications (e.g. OECD, WEF). • Identify and synthesise collective trends, progress and gaps across the G7’s commitments, avoiding individual country assessments but drawing on illustrative examples where appropriate. • Oversee preparation of a concise evidence matrix mapping key actions, achievements, and obstacles in each thematic area of the Compact. 3. Consultations and Stakeholder Engagement • Coordinate targeted consultations with relevant experts, institutions, and selected stakeholders to validate findings and ensure methodological alignment. • Support UNEP in organising consultation sessions or virtual discussions with focal points and partners to test analytical assumptions, identify best practices, and capture sectoral and regional insights. • Ensure that consultation findings are systematically integrated into the analytical synthesis and reflected in the final report. 4. Analysis, Integration and Drafting • Lead the integration of findings across biodiversity, climate, and pollution dimensions, ensuring coherence and alignment with UNEP’s triple planetary crisis approach. • Draft the main analytical sections of the progress review, providing a clear, evidence-based narrative of achievements, gaps, and opportunities. • Develop forward-looking recommendations and a five-year roadmap for strengthened collective action, with an emphasis on economic, financial, and governance dimensions. • Ensure the draft and final reports are concise, policy-oriented, and accessible to decision-makers. 5. Validation and Finalisation • Prepare materials for the validation discussion with relevant focal points and experts • Revise the draft report based on feedback from validation discussions and UNEP’s internal review. • Finalise the high-level synthesis report (15–20 pages) with a 2-page executive summary, ensuring quality, accuracy, and alignment with UNEP publication standards. 6. Coordination and Knowledge Management • Work closely with the UNEP cross-divisional task team to ensure coordination across biodiversity, climate, pollution, and finance streams. • Provide periodic progress updates and technical briefs to the task team to facilitate internal review and communication. • Support the preparation of background materials, presentations, and knowledge products to accompany the final report and facilitate dissemination. Qualifications/special skillsAn advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental policy, international relations, economics, sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, or a closely related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental policy analysis, international cooperation, or sustainable development is required. Demonstrated experience in biodiversity, climate, and pollution policy integration, including cross-sectoral or economic analysis relevant to the “triple planetary crisis” is required. Experienced in coordinating multi-stakeholder consultations and facilitating expert inputs at global or regional levels, with a proven track record in supervising research staff or consultants to ensure methodological consistency and quality assurance is desirable Proven experience leading analytical or synthesis reports for major international processes (e.g., G7, CBD, UNEA) is required. Familiarity with international finance for nature, sustainable economic transitions, and the linkages between biodiversity and economic development is desirable. Experience in working with the United Nations system or comparable international organisations is desirable. LanguagesFluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of any other UN language is 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.