JOB DESCRIPTION

Result of Service The Consultant will develop a comprehensive review methodology for the Multilateral Mechanism for the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources (DSI), including the Cali Fund. The proposed review methodology will be presented to the Steering Committee of the Multilateral Mechanism for their feedback and inform the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) in preparing recommendations for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its seventeenth meeting (COP 17) with respect to the review and effectiveness of the multilateral mechanism and the Cali Fund.

Work Location Hybrid

Expected duration Seven months

Duties and Responsibilities ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING The United Nations Environment Programme 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. At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for ”sustainable development”. The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature in Rio in 1992. The Convention has 196 Parties and has three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme. Its main tasks are to arrange for and service meetings of the Conference of the Parties, including preparation of pertinent documentation, operation of the central node of the clearing-house mechanism, liaison and coordination with other international bodies and processes and, in close collaboration with these partners, the provision of technical support for the effective implementation of the Convention. The Access and Benefit Sharing Unit of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity serves the Conference of the Parties on issues related to the third objective of the Convention. Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Management Officer and the direct supervision of the DSI Programme Management Officer, the Consultant will perform the following duties: 1) Conduct a desk review on relevant existing monitoring and review frameworks which are related to benefit-sharing mechanism focusing on the ones applicable to DSI. 2) Propose a fully developed review methodology for those factors in Enclosure VI of decision 16/2 for which an indicator exists in a related reporting framework that includes: o Methodologies for data collection and analysis o Mechanism for stakeholder feedback o Tools for monitoring contributions and fund disbursement 3) Design a comprehensive process to develop indicators and collect data for the review methodology of the remaining factors in Enclosure VI of decision 16/2 as well as other measurable factors in decision 16/2. 4) Engage with relevant stakeholders, including Parties, indigenous peoples and local communities, database operators, industry and researchers to ensure the proposed methodology is gender-responsive, culturally appropriate, inclusive, practical, and evidence-based, as needed and as appropriate. 5) Examine synergies and interactions between the multilateral mechanism and national ABS frameworks, public databases, and other relevant multilateral benefit-sharing instruments. 6) Present draft review methodology preliminary findings to the Steering Committee of the multilateral mechanism, including the Cali Fund. 7) Ensure regular communication with the Secretariat, providing updates on the progress of the study and key findings and by providing drafts for review and input. 8) Participate in meetings and consultations, as required by the Secretariat, to support validation of the proposed methodology [Note on conditions: If artificial intelligence is used in preparation of the report, it must be declared, and all statements of fact must be subjected to validation. The consultant will be expected to provide a clear, human readable explanation of procedures used for validation and proof of the factual accuracy of empirical evidence used in the report.]

Qualifications/special skills Academic qualifications:

• Advanced degree in monitoring and evaluation, environmental, social or data sciences, governance, development, or related disciplines is required. Experience:
• A minimum of 5 years of work experience is required in areas related to monitoring and evaluation in the context of international frameworks and multilateral processes on biodiversity, access and benefit-sharing (ABS) mechanisms, development or environmental policy.
• Proven experience in designing or developing monitoring and evaluation methodologies, frameworks, or review processes is required, particularly within the context of international conventions, development or environmental initiatives. Experience conducting such assessments is desirable.
• Familiarity with multilateral environmental processes, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, and understanding of relevant international agreements, such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is required.
• Experience in working with diverse stakeholders is required, including indigenous peoples, local communities, government entities, and technical experts, and demonstrating the ability to reconcile sectoral interests in collaborative settings.
• Experience in analyzing complex data sets is required, applying both qualitative and quantitative methods, and developing measurable indicators to assess effectiveness, impact, and efficiency within international frameworks. Skills:
• Excellent and demonstrated knowledge of monitoring, evaluation and review methodologies and concepts;
• Capacity to identify the problem at hand and propose the best analytical and innovative method for its assessment;
• Ability to think critically across sectors, stakeholder groups, and regional context;
• Excellent and demonstrated analytical, writing and communication skills for diverse audiences and an ability to work with minimal supervision and to deliver results within agreed deadlines;
• Good knowledge and understanding of international, multilateral or environmental frameworks;
• Good understanding of multilateral funds and their performance framework.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is desirable. NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.

Additional Information Not available.

No Fee THE 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.