Project Development and Ecosystem Restoration Specialist

The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO) supports the implementation of UNEP's Medium Term Strategy and Programme of Work in the region by initiating, coordinating and catalyzing regional and sub-regional cooperation and action in response to environmental challenges and emergencies. The consultant will provide technical expertise to UNEP´s activities in Latin America and the Caribbean to bolster the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and relevant resolutions of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean (the Forum) related to ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, water security and ecosystem services. In the context of the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean adopted the Action Plan for Ecosystems Restoration for LAC (Action Plan) in 2021, signaling their commitment to halting, reversing, and preventing ecosystem degradation in terrestrial and marine environments in the region. At its Special Session in September 2024, the regional ministerial forum requested UNEP, as its secretariat, to review and update the Action Plan in light of the GBF, promoting an integrated approach to the Rio Conventions and focusing on restoring ecosystems to sustain ecosystem services related to water. Additionally, during the sixth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 6), member states adopted a resolution on water (UNEA 6/13) calling upon UNEP to help countries to scale up efforts to protect, conserve and sustainably manage freshwater ecosystems. The purpose of this consultancy is to contribute to UNEP LACO in revising the Ecosystem Restoration Action Plan for LAC and developing a regional ecosystem restoration initiative. This initiative will promote a coordinated regional approach to accelerating large-scale ecosystem restoration and the recovery of water-related ecosystem services. It will also contribute to adaptation, mitigation, the Global Biodiversity Framework, land degradation neutrality, and the restoration of degraded soils and productive lands—critical for sustainable development, prosperity, and well-being in the region. The incumbent will work remotely, home-based, and will be supervised by the Regional Director and Representative of UNEP LACO. The primary outcome of the Project Development and Ecosystem Restoration Specialist consultancy is the development of key documents for presentation at the Session of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean in October 2025. These documents will propose the creation of an initiative to advance a regional approach for large-scale ecosystem and water-related ecosystem service recovery. The initiative will also align with objectives and targets related to climate adaptation, mitigation, the Global Biodiversity Framework, land degradation neutrality, and the restoration of degraded soils and productive lands. Output 1: Experts consultations • Technical coordination of in-person and virtual consultation workshops involving multiple stakeholders as well as bilateral meetings with experts. • Preparation of key materials, including background documents, draft agendas, integration of experts' inputs and synthesis of outcomes. Product 1. Summary document with results from consultation. It should provide information about stakeholders' participation in the workshops and meetings, and an overview capturing key outcomes that will inform the development of the Concept Note and the Implementation Framework. Output 2: Concept Note for the Ecosystem Restoration Action Plan for LAC Update • This document will provide a high-level overview of the proposed updates to the Action Plan, outlining its strategic direction, principles, and key guidelines. • It will align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the Rio Conventions, and relevant decisions adopted by the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean. Product 2.a. Outline of the Concept Note for the update of the Ecosystem Restoration Action Plan, to be presented to member states at the Forum of Ministers of Environment in the week of 29 September 2025. This political document will be developed based on the inputs from the consultation workshops, the meetings. It will provide a structured and strategic overview of the context and proposed updates, outlining the key principles, strategic direction, and guidelines that will shape the revision. Product 2.b. Concept Note, integrating inputs from stakeholders and refining the proposed approach, ensuring coherence with the Forum of Ministers' decisions, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the Rio Conventions. Output 3: Implementation Framework for the Ecosystem Restoration Action Plan for LAC • This technical document will serve as a practical guide for implementing the updated Action Plan, including methodologies, priority areas, stakeholder engagement strategies, and monitoring mechanisms. • It will provide recommendations for scaling up restoration efforts, integrating ecosystem services related to water security, and ensuring alignment with national and regional policies. Product 3. A document with the Implementation Framework for the Ecosystem Restoration Action Plan for LAC. This technical document will be developed based on the inputs from the consultation workshops, the meetings and the Concept Note. It will present a structured framework for implementing the Action Plan across the region, including the initiative’s key components, priority areas and/or ecosystems, mechanisms for scaling up restoration efforts and monitoring impact. Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director and representative of UNEP LACO, the Project Development and Ecosystem Restoration Specialist consultant will be required to undertake: • Participate in meetings with UNEP LACO, Member States, and key stakeholders to discuss progress and align expectations, especially in the Restoration and Resilience Task Force meetings. • Conduct consultations with partners, including national institutions, NGOs, and international organizations. • Coordinate with stakeholders to integrate perspectives and promote a collaborative approach to ecosystem restoration in LAC. • Collect and analyze data on ecosystem restoration policies, best practices, and case studies to bolster document development. • Draft the Concept Note and Implementation Framework, ensuring alignment with UNEP’s strategic priorities and regional needs. • Incorporate feedback from UNEP and stakeholders to refine and finalize documents. • Ensure the revised Action Plan aligns with global and regional policies, including the Global Biodiversity Framework and Rio Conventions.

Home based

7 months

The 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 UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

ACADEMIC: • A bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, environmental sciences, natural resource management, conservation science, forestry, environmental engineering, geography, agriculture, sustainability studies, or closely related field is required. • A master’s degree in ecology, biodiversity, environmental sciences, ecosystem restoration, conservation, agriculture, natural resource management, project design, project management, environmental policy, sustainability or closely related field is required. PROFESSIONAL: • A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, land use, environmental sciences, natural resource management, programme management, project design or management or technical documents development is required. • Experience in the United Nations system or other international organizations is desirable.

• Fluency in English is required. • Fluency in Spanish is desirable.

Not available.

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.