Specialist in non-detriment findings and fisheries (1 post)

Result of Service

Two written reports: one report to serve as background documents for the technical workshop on non-detriment findings for specimens of Appendix-II species taken from areas beyond national jurisdiction and one report capturing the discussion and outcomes of the workshop.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

4 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 Programme and is located at the Geneva Duty Station.

This assignment is part of the CITES Secretariat’s work under the Science Unit. In fulfillment of Decision 19.136 paragraph c) on non-detriment findings for specimens of Appendix-II species taken from areas beyond national jurisdiction, the CITES Secretariat is preparing background documents to support the work of the technical workshop on how non-detriment findings (NDFs) might best be achieved for the introduction from the sea of specimens of CITES Appendix II-listed, commercially exploited aquatic organisms taken by multiple Parties in waters beyond national jurisdiction.

Under the overall supervision of Chief, Science Unit, the consultant will compile two written reports.

Activity 1. A report to serve as a background document for the technical workshop incorporating the following elements:

1: Summary of the current process and scientific data and/or technical information used by Parties when making non-detriment findings (NDFs) for specimens taken from areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) and difficulties encountered by Parties by:
• Providing an overview on the awareness of the requirement of making NDFs for specimens taken from ABNJ by the stakeholders involved in the process of caching specimens from ABNJ;
• Reviewing the available NDFs submitted by Parties for specimens taken from ABNJ and summarizing them into case studies outlining the process, scientific data and/or technical information, monitoring mechanisms and the current role of RFBs (including RFMOs) in making scientific data and technical information available for making NDFs;
• Reviewing the responses from Parties to Notification to the Parties No. 2023/027 and 2023/050 to identify difficulties encountered by Parties when making NDFs for specimens taken from ABNJ;
• Identifying priority Parties that are catching CITES-listed species from ABNJ, in consultations with the Secretariat, and engaging with the Parties to identify difficulties they are encountering in making NDFs for specimens of CITES Appendix-II listed species taken from ABNJ;
• Identifying the information requirements needed to make these NDFs, including any information gaps and the main difficulties encountered by Parties when making NDFs for specimens of CITES Appendix II-listed species taken from ABNJ categorized into thematic areas.

2: Role of RFMOs and other RFBs in making scientific data and/or technical information available to CITES Scientific Authorities for the making of NDFs by:
• Identifying publicly available scientific data and/or technical information from RFBs (including RFMOs) that could be used to make NDFs for specimens of CITES Appendix-II listed species taken from ABNJ;
• Consulting with RFBs (including RFMOs) Secretariat staff to identify the process Parties would need to follow to access data that are not publicly available;
• Identifying mechanisms needed for effective collaboration between RFBs (including RFMOs) and CITES Scientific Authorities to access necessary scientific data and/or technical information or consolidated determinations needed to make NDFs for specimens of CITES Appendix-II species taken from ABNJ.

3: Assessment of opportunities and challenges that are unique to making NDFs for specimens of CITES Appendix-II species from ABNJ, by providing a list of opportunities and challenges in making NDFs that are unique to movement of CITES listed specimens (fish and fish commodities) taken from the ABNJ. The consultant will also take into consideration the guidance on making NDF for marine species from the second international workshop on NDFs and propose any additional guidance that would be needed for specimens taken from ABNJ.

Activity 2. A technical written report of the workshop, which captures the discussions, information presented by participants, recommendations or outcomes decided on at the workshop and any next steps.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in biology, fisheries, natural resource management or any related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with four (4) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
i. Knowledge of and experience working in fisheries and/or aquatic species, especially from areas beyond national jurisdiction is required.
ii. Excellent knowledge of and experience in making non-detriment findings or developing guidance for making non-detriment findings is required.
iii. Experience in and knowledge of CITES is required, including the introduction from the sea provisions.
iv. Knowledge of and experience working in or with RFBs (including RFMOs) is desirable.

Languages

d) Required knowledge of languages: English, French and Spanish are the working languages of the CITES Secretariat. For the post advertised, Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Working knowledge of one of the two other working languages is desirable.

Additional Information

e) Competencies: To successfully undertake this consultancy role the incumbent will demonstrate the competencies of:

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to produce high quality work in the area of resource management in a UN context; ability to liaise with external stakeholders in governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations; ability to compile, structure and condense information collected from various sources into professional, technically accurate, clearly written, and concise policy-relevant outputs; awareness of and respect for political sensitivities and cultural differences

COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; skills in networking and communication and experience engaging with local communities and stakeholders in an illegal trade supply chain

PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Ability to work against tight deadlines; develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.

The final payment 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 contractor to the CITES Secretarait and certified as being of adequate quality and meeting the terms of the deliverables before the final payment will be made.

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.