Trade Risks Assessment Specialist (1 Post)

Result of ServiceThe consultant is expected to deliver ‘a study and guideline on risk assessment for international trade controls of CITES-listed Species’. Work LocationRemote Expected duration40 Days spread over 8 Months. Expected starting date 13 May 2024. Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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 UN Environment and is located at the Geneva duty station. This assignment is part of the CITES Secretariat’s work under the Outreach and Projects Unit and will undertake tasks related to risk assessment and border control of CITES-listed species. This assignment is undertaken in connection with Decisions 19.52 a) on Electronic Systems and Information Technology and 19.154 on Risk assessment and analysis for border control adopted at the Nineteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP19; Panama City, 2022). Under the overall supervision of Chief, Outreach and Projects Unit, the consultant will: 1. Conduct a review of relevant literature and regulations a) Review relevant international and national laws, regulations, and guidelines (including CITES Legal Acquisition Findings, Non-Detriment Findings, HS codes) pertaining to wildlife trade, risk assessment, and conservation. b) Analyze existing risk assessment frameworks and methodologies applicable to the international trade in wildlife. c) Identify best practices and lessons learned from regions or countries. 2. Conduct a survey and stakeholder consultation a) Develop a questionnaire and conduct a study with Parties on information used by different Parties on information used by different Parties in a risk-based approach for CITES trade controls, b) Engage with relevant stakeholders including CITES Management Authorities, Enforcement Focal Points, Scientific Authorities, conservation organizations, academic institutions, and industry representatives to gather insights and perspectives on risk assessment in wildlife trade. 3. Develop a guideline for national policy on risk assessment and physical inspections a) Develop a detailed guideline for assessing risks associated with international trade in wildlife, incorporating insights from the literature review and stakeholder consultations. b) Categorize and prioritize risks based on their potential impact and likelihood, considering legal, environmental, social, and economic factors. 4. Conduct review and Incorporate Feedback a) Seek feedback from key stakeholders on the draft risk assessment and inspection guideline and make necessary revisions based on their input. b) Ensure the guidelines are comprehensive, practical, and align with international best practices and legal frameworks. 5. Produce a Finalized Report a) Submit a finalized report (free of grammatical errors, with Table of Contents, References, Annexes and formatted in MS Word) and including the study and the risk assessment guidelines, incorporating feedback from stakeholders. b) Attend in-person or online workshops/meetings and deliver presentations about the study and the guideline. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international trade, economics, business administration, management, international relations or related areas. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Ten years of relevant work experience in risk assessment for international trade, customs controls, border agency cooperation, or related topics Experience in preparation of studies and guideline for a national or international organization related to one of the topics above Experience with international best practices/guidelines for wildlife trade controls Experience in working for international organizations LanguagesFluency in spoken and written English is required; Working knowledge of French or Spanish is a strong advantage. Additional InformationReporting lines Khan Salehin, Programme Management Officer, Outreach and Projects Unit, CITES Secretariat. Required 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; 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.