Biodiversity Monitoring Consultant

• The Umbrella Program to Support NBSAP Update and the 7th National Reports aims to assist countries in revising and updating their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to align with the recently adopted Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), thereby enabling the effective implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the national level. 

• In addition, this grant supports countries in preparing and submitting their Seventh National Report (7NR) on the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The Global Program is fully aligned with CBD guidance on NBSAP development and national reporting, incorporating the latest outcomes and decisions of COP15. It also builds on ongoing work under the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (GBF-EAS) initiative, ensuring continuity and complementarity in supporting countries’ biodiversity planning and reporting processes.

• Within this framework, and in alignment with Yemen’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the decisions of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP-16), the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), in collaboration with international partners, is implementing a set of analytical and institutional activities to support the preparation of the Seventh National Biodiversity Report (7NR).

• This consultancy will involve a comprehensive analysis of existing legal, policy, and institutional frameworks, with a view to identifying gaps, strengthening integration across sectors, and proposing sustainable organizational and strategic models to enhance biodiversity governance and implementation effectiveness in line with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF 2023–2030).

• Our client is seeking a National Consultant on Biodiversity Legislation, Policies, and Strategies who will provide technical support to the national process of preparing the 7NR. The consultant’s work will focus on reviewing and analyzing biodiversity-related legislation, policies, and strategies, ensuring their coherence, identifying gaps, and proposing improvements to strengthen biodiversity governance in Yemen.

• The project is implemented under the GEF-8 Umbrella Program, with overall coordination and technical support provided by our client’s Yemen Country Office, in collaboration with the national focal institution and the National Steering Committee. The 7NR process will serve as a key instrument for Yemen to assess national progress in biodiversity conservation, identify challenges and priorities, and reinforce its contribution to achieving the global biodiversity targets for 2030.

• Supporting the national coordination team to ensure coherence with CBD Secretariat reporting requirements.

Under the supervision of the Project Manager and the Project Technical Coordinator, and in close coordination with stakeholders and the National Steering Committee in Aden, the Biodiversity Monitoring Consultant will be responsible for providing technical and analytical support for the preparation of Yemen’s Seventh National Biodiversity Report (7NR). The consultant will undertake, but not be limited to, the following key duties and responsibilities:

Data Collection and Review

• Gather relevant information, data, and national studies on biodiversity, ecosystems, and associated threats related to biodiversity monitoring processes.

• Review the existing policy, legal, and institutional frameworks for biodiversity monitoring, as well as previous national reports (NBSAP, 6NR, etc.).

• Identify data gaps, inconsistencies, and missing indicators relevant to biodiversity monitoring and reporting.

• Review the lists of biodiversity indicators used in the national strategy and compare them with international indicators, providing integrated indicators for all national objectives based on the references provided by the International Convention on Biological Diversity.

Gap Analysis and Diagnostic Report

• Conduct institutional and technical analyses of gaps in biodiversity monitoring and reporting systems.

• Prepare a diagnostic report identifying key shortcomings and challenges, and propose corrective actions related to biodiversity monitoring.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations, national workshops, and thematic meetings involving government institutions, academia, civil society, and local communities.

• Document and integrate feedback and recommendations obtained during the consultation process.

Technical Support and Coordination

• Provide ongoing technical support to the national coordination team to ensure coherence with CBD Secretariat reporting requirements.

• Support the preparation and delivery of a presentation summarizing key findings and recommendations of the 7NR for national validation and official submission.

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and the Project Technical Coordinator.

• At least a master’s degree in environmental science, Environmental Assessment, Biodiversity, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Sustainable Development, or a closely related field.

• At least 7 years of practical professional experience in biodiversity assessment, environmental science, ecological monitoring, or related fields.

• Proven experience in compiling and analyzing biodiversity data, conducting institutional and policy gap analyses, and preparing technical reports for national biodiversity assessments and monitoring or similar projects.

• Practical knowledge of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF 2023–2030), and related national biodiversity strategies and action plans.

• Demonstrated expertise in biodiversity governance, monitoring systems, and reporting mechanisms in Yemen.

• Experience in using GIS, remote sensing, or other spatial and statistical analysis tools is desirable.

• Proficiency in English both Oral & Writing.

This role does not have team management responsibility.

Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply for this role.