Mountain Biodiversity Specialist – Level B

Delivery against outputs, milestones and indicators of the Vanishing Treasures project, with focus on the global advocacy related components.

home-based

6 months, working 10 days per month - in total 60 days.

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. UNEP's Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The Consultant will operate in the framework of the "Vanishing Treasures” project and its Bhutan component; advocating for the mainstreaming of mountains within process of international bodies such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD This post is located in the Biodiversity, People and Landscapes Unit in the Biodiversity and Land Branch (BLB), Ecosystems Division, at the Vienna duty station and reports to the responsible project manager (Programme Management Officer) of “Vanishing Treasures”. UNEP´s “Vanishing Treasures” Project: Despite the growing evidence of species’ vulnerability to climate change, adaptation of wildlife to climate change still remains a gap. Therefore, UNEP’s Vanishing Treasures Project supports climate change adaptation of vulnerable mountain species such as the Royal Bengal tiger in the Hindu-Kush Himalayas (Bhutan), snow leopard in Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan), mountain gorilla in the Virunga region (Rwanda and Uganda), and the jaguar and spectacled bear in the Andes (Colombia and Ecuador). The Project is funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and aims to generate maximum synergy between climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation by improving the adaptive capacity of mountain ecosystems while maintaining related ecosystem services, protecting mountain flagship species who are key to ecosystem functioning, and promoting alternative livelihoods for local communities. In Bhutan, the implementation of activities under the Vanishing Treasures project is carried out by the Bhutan Tiger Center (Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources under the Royal Government of Bhutan) in close collaboration with UNEP. The implementation focuses on two project areas and covers, among others, the following activities: research on the Royal Bengal tiger, its prey species and habitats, community-based interventions with local communities to prevent human-tiger conflicts, development of alternative livelihoods and sharing of project results on the national, regional and international level. On a global scale, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provides one of the most relevant frameworks for biodiversity conservation in the coming years until 2050. The goals and targets as well as indicators of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework target the conservation of biodiversity hotspots, the reduction of drivers of biodiversity loss, the implementation of ecosystem-based adaptation approaches, benefit-sharing etc. The “Vanishing Treasures” project is supporting this global process by developing advocacy and communication material to elevate mountains and their rich biodiversity on the global level. Duties and Responsibilities: • Conceptualize and design, together with wider UNEP team and partners (Mountain Partnership Secretariat, CBD Secretariat, etc), of sessions of a thematic day on mountain biodiversity including a dedicated session dedicated to financing of mountain biodiversity and Vanishing Treasures • Develop detailed run-off show for Mountain Biodiversity Day • Co-organize thematic Mountain Biodiversity Day event at the margins of CBD COP17 (GBF Pavilion, 26 October 2026) • Provide inputs to tailored concept related to Yerevan Dialogue in support of mountain ecosystems and freshwater including identification of partners and stakeholders, their roles and responsibilities and definition of necessary governance/ coordination arrangements between them • Provide necessary background material (if needed) for high level dialogue related to mountain ecosystems and freshwater in support of presidency during COP17 • Provide background material for national consultation meeting organized under VT to review project progress and validation of project-relevant reports, including the prioritization of solutions and case studies for upscaling • Develop Innovative communication product to raise awareness about project achievements under VT • Draft project proposal in collaboration with VT partners for upscaling VT solutions in the Hindu-Kush Himalayas • Provide background material for regional consultation meeting organized with HKH stakeholders including government, civil society, academia and transboundary organizations to review draft project proposals and concept notes, with a stakeholder feedback report submitted Reporting lines: The consultant will report to the Programme Management Officer (Vanishing Treasures Project Manager), Mountains Team Leader, Biodiversity, People and Landscapes Unit (BPLU), Ecosystems Division.

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in conservation biology, wildlife management, environmental science, or a related field is required. A first level university degree (Bachelor's) with an additional 2 years of qualifying relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management at the national and/or international level, preferably in the Asia-Pacific region, is required. Experience working in global advocacy and policy mainstreaming, in particular biodiversity-related (e.g. CBD and other MEAs), is required. Experience supporting or managing projects as well as events within biodiversity conservation or ecosystem restoration is desirable. Experience working in the UN or other international development organization with a strong focus on environment is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in both oral and written English is required.

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.