- The City of Barranquilla actively participates in UNEP's Generation Restoration project and conducts successful pilot activities funded by the project.
- Coordination across relevant departments, teams and stakeholder groups within the city of Barranquilla is strengthened.
- Barranquilla's efforts on nature and climate planning are streamlined and strengthened.
- City nature and climate efforts are supported through the delivery of recommendations and strategic advice, as well as the coordination between the city and UNEP and ICLEI team under the Generation Restoration project.
- Mayor of Barranquilla is supported in his preparation and participation to the Advisory Board of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, as well as other city networks and boards.
Barranquilla, Colombia
Expected duration6 months
Duties and Responsibilities
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. The Cities Unit within the Energy and Climate Branch contributes to the UN system-wide strategy on sustainable urban development and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. The Unit is currently exploring strategies to support local government's accelerated action towards addressing the triple crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution through the deployment of nature-based solutions, to achieve the targets set by the Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
The City of Barranquilla in Colombia is part of the Unit's Generation Restoration project, as well as part of the governance bodies of the UN Decade. Over three years (2023-2025), Generation Restoration's objective is to implement a package of measures to address selected political, technical, financial challenges to promote restoration at scale, particularly in urban areas, within the framework of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The Cities Component, implemented by the Cities Unit, will increase engagement of city stakeholders, including vulnerable groups, in restoring urban and peri-urban ecosystems. Eight pilot cities and ten role model cities will take part to the project, one of which is Barranquilla, Colombia.
The Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) is one of the UNEP-administered Regional Seas Programmes. CEP is managed by and for the countries of the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR) through its role as Secretariat for the Cartagena Convention and three Protocols on Oil Spills, Marine Biodiversity (SPAW), and Land-Based Sources of Marine Pollution (LBS). The Cartagena Convention serves as the only regional legally binding governance framework for the protection and sustainable development of the coastal and marine environment in the WCR. It has been ratified by 26 United Nations Member States in the region, including by Colombia. Colombia is also signatory to SPAW and has a SPAW-listed Marine Protected Area (MPA) "Sanctuary Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta", which is situated outside of the city of Barranquilla.
UNEP is implementing project activities focused on marine biodiversity, marine pollution and public awareness under the Capacity-building related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA) in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries Phase III (ACP MEA III) Programme, funded by the European Union. Under component 2.2 of the project, the Secretariat of the Cartagena Convention is executing activities for the development of functional Network(s) of Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW)-listed MPAs covering interconnected marine habitats and ecosystems for restoring and sustaining the health of the oceans., which includes providing technical support and research to Contracting Parties.
In this context, UNEP is looking for a full-time (level B) consultant to support the development and implementation of UNEP's work in Colombia on integrating climate action and nature based solutions in the city of Barranquilla planning and strategies, as well as promoting learning exchange in order to identify opportunities for collaboration with other organizations and programmes with similar objectives. The consultant will work in close coordination with the Head of International Relations at the Mayor's Office of the City of Barranquilla and will also to support UNEP's projects and efforts related to assisting Colombia in meeting its obligations under the Cartagena Convention and SPAW Protocol, including under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The consultant will report to Sharon Gil, Head a.i. Cities Unit, UNEP.
Postgraduate diploma (masters or Colombian equivalent) in urban planning, social sciences, political sciences, economics or related fields. Studies in sustainable development, biology, energy sector, ecology, conservation and environmental affairs are preferred but not required.
At least 10 years demonstrated experience in advisory services, partnership building and/or climate and nature planning at the city level. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognised by the United Nations. Demonstrated experience working with city stakeholders and interest groups in the development of environmental strategies, polices and planning approaches. Previous experience with international organisations and working on nature-based solutions are highly desirable. Prior experience working in Colombia is required. Demonstrated knowledge of Colombia's environmental framework is strongly preferred.
Fluency in Spanish and English is required for this position.
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.