Ecosystem Restoration Specialist

The consultancy will deliver strategic and technical outputs required to consolidate the Regional Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration (RAP) and structure the Restoration Accelerator as its primary implementation mechanism. The primary outcome of this consultancy is the consolidation of the Regional Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration (RAP) to incorporate the approach adopted at the XXIV Meeting of the Forum and the development of the Project Document for the Restoration Accelerator, which will be the main platform for the implementation of the RAP. These documents will support the operationalization of the approach endorsed by Member States, translating it into coordinated, scalable, and actionable regional pathways. The initiative will also align with the objectives and targets related to climate adaptation, mitigation, the Global Biodiversity Framework, land degradation neutrality, and the restoration of degraded soils and productive lands, seeking to enhance the stability of land and water ecosystems. Output 1: Consolidated RAP incorporating the approach adopted at the XXIV Meeting of the Forum of Ministers. • Integration into the RAP document of the approach adopted by the Forum, as presented in the Concept Note “Ecosystem Restoration for Water and People”, with a focus on large-scale and long-term restoration action generating environmental, social, and economic benefits, particularly in landscapes and biomes critical for water-related ecosystem services. • Update the RAP document, based on the documents developed and adopted at the 24th Meeting of the Forum of Ministers of Environment, as well as other relevant documents, and based on further consultation with experts (bilateral and in virtual or in-person workshops), as necessary to validate and strengthen the consolidated RAP. Product 1: Consolidated Regional Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration (RAP). Document with structural consolidation of the RAP, including its scope, vision, theory of change, expected outcomes, implementation pathways, and priority actions, ensuring internal coherence and operational clarity. Output 2: Strategic outreach and resource mobilization efforts to bolster donor alignment and partnership building for the Restoration Accelerator. • Contribute to the UNEP LACO team in the identification, preliminary screening, and selection of potential funding streams, including funds, bilateral donors, development banks, and philanthropic organizations, assessing their alignment with the Restoration Accelerator’s objectives. • Development and delivery of outreach actions, including meetings and presentations, to promote the development of a wider engagement with Restoration Accelerator, in close collaboration with the UNEP team. • Engagement with key stakeholders to gather inputs, explore collaboration opportunities, and promote strategic alignment in support of the future implementation of the RAP. Product 2: Report containing the meeting outcomes. This report shall compile all outreach and engagement activities undertaken, including a summary of meetings, key messages delivered, stakeholder feedback received, potential funding opportunities identified, and recommended next steps to guide the development of the Restoration Accelerator Project Document. Output 3: Full Project Document for the Restoration Accelerator • Development of a comprehensive Project Document for the Restoration Accelerator as a regional implementation platform to mobilize cooperation, financing, and coordinated action in support of the RAP. The Accelerator will be designed to support countries in accelerating, coordinating, and scaling restoration efforts at local, national, and regional levels, and to establish the enabling conditions necessary for effective RAP implementation. It will use the format of an existing similar proposal managed by UNEP, for the most probable funding source selected (see Output 2). • Preparation and technical facilitation of consultations and coordination meetings with experts, government representatives, UNEP staff, partners, and relevant working groups, as necessary to validate and strengthen the Project Document. Product 3: Full Project Document – Restoration Accelerator. The Project Document shall include, but not be limited to, a clear justification, an intervention strategy underpinned by a Theory of Change, a results framework, a summary of activities and workplan, and the implementation, governance, and coordination arrangements. These components might be reevaluated depending on funding opportunities identified throughout the process. Specific tasks and responsibilities • Provide specialized technical inputs on ecosystem restoration to strengthen the consolidation of the RAP and the Restoration Accelerator document. • Participate in meetings with UNEP, Member States, and key stakeholders to discuss progress and align expectations. • Conduct regular meetings with UNEP LAC team to coordinate timelines and track progress on agreed activities. • Guide the preparation and participate in the Restoration and Resilience Task Force meetings and other regional working groups, as relevant. • Conduct consultations with partners, including Member States, national institutions, NGOs, and international organizations. • Coordinate with stakeholders to integrate perspectives and promote a collaborative approach to ecosystem restoration in LAC. • Consolidate information received during consultations to streamline the drafting process of the RAP and the project document. • Ensure the consolidated RAP and Restoration Accelerator project document aligns with global and regional policies, including the Global Biodiversity Framework and Rio Conventions. • Incorporate feedback from UNEP and stakeholders to refine and finalize documents. • Ensure the consolidated RAP and Restoration Accelerator project document are aligned with UNEP’s Medium Term Strategy and Program of Work.

Home-based

6 months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, 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). The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO) support 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 UNEP’s Medium Term Strategy and Program of Work, in alignment with 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, biodiversity, land degradation, climate resilience, water security and ecosystem services. The Forum has recognized ecosystem restoration as a strategic priority for the region. In the context of the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, the Forum adopted the Regional Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration for LAC (RAP) in 2021, signaling its 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. In this context, at the 24th meeting of the Forum in Lima, in October 2025, the Concept Note "Ecosystem Restoration for Water and People" with a proposed approach for updating and implementing the RAP was developed and adopted. Ministers agreed to update the RAP on Ecosystem Restoration to focus on implementing and accelerating large-scale restoration of those ecosystems and landscapes that are critical for long term provision and regulation of water. Ministers also emphasized the need for scaling up implementation, therefore calling for the RAP to evolve towards a regional initiative (Restoration Accelerator) able to effectively mobilize cooperation, funding and, more importantly, action on the ground. The purpose of this consultancy is to contribute with UNEP LACO in advancing the enabling conditions required to accelerate the implementation of the RAP across Latin America and the Caribbean region. This includes consolidating the RAP document to incorporate the approach adopted at the 24th Meeting of the Forum, and developing the Restoration Accelerator Project Document, a catalytic mechanism to mobilize partnerships and financial and technical resources for large-scale, long-term restoration initiatives across the region. The incumbent will work remotely and will be supervised by the Regional Director and Representative of UNEP LACO.

Academic Requirements: • A bachelor's degree in biodiversity, ecology, environmental sciences, forest engineering, management, international relations, agronomy, or a related field is required. • A master’s degree in biodiversity, ecology, environmental sciences, forest engineering, natural resource management, project management, or a related field is required. Professional experience: • Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, ecosystem services, natural resource management, project management and/or project design is required. • Experience with the development of project proposals for international funds and donors is desirable. • Experience in the United Nations system or other international organizations is desirable.

• Fluency in English is required. • Fluency in Spanish is required. Competencies • PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks in the field of environment and development. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: 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. Uses time efficiently. • CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

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.