Specialist on management and disposal of seized and confiscated live specimens of animal species (1 Post)

Result of ServiceThe ultimate result of the service will be a final report providing a set of best practices and procedures for the management and disposal of seized live specimens of CITES-listed animal species and materials assisting the effective implementation of Annex 3 to Resolution Conf. 17.8 (Rev. CoP19). Work LocationThe consultancy is home based, with one (1) potential travel. Regular communication and reporting will be through virtual means. Expected durationThirty-four (34) days of work, over a period of five (5) 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. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between states. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival (www.cites.org). The CITES Secretariat is administered by UNEP and is located at the Geneva duty station. This assignment is part of the CITES Secretariat’s work under the Legal Unit. In fulfillment of Decision 19.169 on Disposal of confiscated specimens, the Secretariat is commissioning a review of existing practices and processes related to management and disposal of seized live specimens and the development of materials to assist Parties in enhancing implementation of Annex 3 to the Resolution Conf. 17.8 (Rev. CoP19) on Disposal of illegally traded and confiscated specimens of CITES-listed species, which encourages Parties to develop action plans to be able to make decisions on management and disposal of live animals without delay. In 2017, the CITES Secretariat developed a questionnaire to review the use and usefulness of the CITES guidelines for the disposal of confiscated live specimens contained in the three annexes to Resolution Conf. 17.8 and to evaluate practice of disposal of such specimens. The questionnaire was made available to Parties as an online survey through Notification to Parties No. 2017/045 of 15 June 2017. 4. A total of 75 completed responses were received to the questionnaire regarding a total of 58 countries. At that time, the majority of the respondents (54 per cent) indicated that their country does not have an established procedure/plan of action to be followed to make a decision on disposal of a confiscated live specimen (animals and/or plants), while 41 per cent indicated that such a procedure was in place. Based on feedback provided by CITES Parties on this matter, it appears that they are facing difficulties in developing and implementing these action plans. In this respect, the Standing Committee at its 78th meeting (Geneva, February 2025) agreed to maintain the above-mentioned Decision 19.169 mandating the Secretariat to provide additional support to Parties in implementing Annex 3 to the Resolution. Under the overall supervision of the Legal Unit’s Programme Management Officer, in coordination with the Enforcement Unit’s Enforcement Support Officer, the Consultant will deliver the following outputs and carry out the following activities: Output 1: Analysis of existing practices and procedures in place among Parties for management and disposal of seized live specimens of CITES-listed animal species Activity 1.1: Carry out a desk review of Parties’ responses to the past online survey to serve as a baseline, and prepare a new survey if needed to collect additional and/or updated inputs regarding the application of CITES provisions on management and disposal of seized live specimens, taking into consideration Resolution Conf. 17.8 (Rev. CoP19) on Disposal of illegally traded and confiscated specimens of CITES-listed species, in particular its Annex 3; Activity 1.2: Reach out to a number of Parties, to be selected in close consultation with the Secretariat, from across all six CITES, regions, to undertake interviews with relevant authorities and collect detailed information on their practices and processes related to management and disposal of seized live specimens of CITES-listed animal species in selected CITES Parties and prepare an analysis of existing practices on the basis of information collected; Output 2: Technical support provided to CITES Parties in enhancing implementation of Annex 3 to the Resolution Conf. 17.8 (Rev. CoP19) Activity 2.1: Develop best practices for the management and disposal of seized live specimens of CITES-listed animal species, taking into consideration different levels of technical and financial capacities and regulatory frameworks in place in CITES Parties; Activity 2.2: Develop materials (SOP model, stepwise approaches and guiding elements) that could be used by CITES Parties in implementing Annex 3 to Resolution Conf. 17.8 (Rev. CoP19). Output 3: Final report prepared integrating feedback provided by CITES Parties Activity 3.1: Consult with authorities of interested Parties for feedback on the outputs (1) and (2) above; Activity 3.2: Prepare a final report on outputs (1) and (2) to be presented by the Secretariat at CoP20, as appropriate. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental or wildlife management, enforcement, customs regulations or related area. A first-level university degree (or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of Seven (7) years of experience is required: Within the 7 years of experience, at least 1 year of experience in and knowledge of CITES, and CITES Appendices is required. Within the 7 years of experience, at least 3 years of experience in and knowledge of rules and procedures for the management and disposal of seized and confiscated live specimens of CITES animal species is required. Within the 7 years of experience, at least 2 years of experience in and knowledge of international customs rules and procedures relating to trade, seizure and confiscation is required. Within the 7 years of experience, at least 1 year of experience in production of technical reports within agreed timeframes is required. In addition: • 1 year experience with national enforcement or customs authorities is desirable. • 1 year experience of accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing is desirable. • 1 year experience with the UN system or international organizations is an advantage. LanguagesEnglish, French and Spanish are the working languages of the CITES Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable. Additional InformationReporting lines: The consultant will be reporting to the Programme Management Officer of the Secretariat’s Legal Unit. The Legal Unit will be evaluating the final report in consultation with the Enforcement Unit of the CITES Secretariat, as appropriate. Terms of Payment: Payments will be made upon successful completion, review and quality assurance of the deliverables specified under Outputs/Work Assignment above. All deliverables must be submitted by the consultant to the respective direct Supervisors and certified as being of adequate quality and meeting the terms of the deliverables before payments will be made. The following skills are desirable: • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Have affinity with or interest in conservation and sustainable use of wildlife, and the UN System Competencies: Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to CITES Secretariat; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to CITES Secretariat procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; 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.