Mountain Biodiversity Specialist

Details

Mission and objectives

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.

Context

The UNEP Vienna Programme Office hosts the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention. Additionally, to activities in the Carpathian Region and its portfolio in the South-East Europe, the Vienna Programme Office – as a mountain hub is currently coordinating various activities in mountain regions related in particular to climate change adaptation and wildlife management such as the programme “Climate resilient mountain ecosystems for resilient livelihoods and mountain flagship species – Vanishing Treasures”. UNEP´s“Vanishing Treasures” Programme 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 Programme supports climate change adaptation of vulnerable mountain species such as Royal Bengal tiger in the Hindu-Kush Himalayas (Bhutan), snow leopard in Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) and mountain gorilla in the Virunga region (Rwanda and Uganda). The Programme 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 programme is carried out by the Bhutan Tiger Center (Ministry of Forests and Agriculture under the Royal Government of Bhutan) in close collaboration with UNEP. The implementation focuses on two programme 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 Post-2020 process of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is providing 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 Post-2020 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 programme is supporting this global process by developing advocacy and communication material to elevate mountains and their rich biodiversity on the global level. Furthermore, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration provides a framework for assessing and promoting ecosystem restoration in mountain regions, in support to the protection of mountain species and habitat and enhancement of mountain communities’ livelihoods.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the respective Programme Management Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer International Specialist will: • Closely working with the responsible Programme Management Officer and the wider Vanishing Treasures project team, support the implementation of the Bhutan component (Outcome B) - in close collaboration with the local implementing partner Bhutan Tiger Center under the Gross National Happiness Commission- of the Vanishing Treasures programme and the respective monitoring of it, with special focus on a) the implementation of activities in the region according to the logframe/Workplan, including organization of related workshops and meetings, data collection and analysis, pilot work etc. b) the production of communication materials and outreach to relevant stakeholders, c) consultation with other partners and experts; • Provision of expertise with regards to mountain biodiversity and climate change and support to UNEP´s engagement in the Post-2020 process including follow-up activities, including coordination with other relevant partners such as Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA), Mountain Research Initiative (MRI), GRID-Arendal, Mountain Partnership (MP), Carpathian Convention and the overall initiative to mainstream mountain-related issues into the discussions (Outcome D of the Vanishing Treasures programme), especially developing advocacy and information material for main events to be held under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity, such as COP15 as well as organization of related side events/ informative workshops; • Participate in and contribute to relevant meetings with a strong focus on mountain biodiversity including respective meetings of the Biodiversity Board of the Alpine Convention including preparation and review of relevant background material and other meetings as assigned to; • Support UNEP´s work with a focus on mountains within the context of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, especially on analyzing the specific context and conditions for ecosystem restoration in mountain regions as well as respective recommendations, e.g. as part of an upcoming Mountain Ecosystem Health Assessment and potential submissions of relevant flagships on ecosystem restoration in mountain regions; • Support the development of project concepts/proposals and relevant initiatives with a strong focus on mountain biodiversity; • Provide support to any other related tasks as required or assigned by the supervisor. Results/Expected outputs: As an active UNEP Vienna Programme Office team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNEP Vienna Programme Office and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Support to implementation of outcomes B and D of the Vanishing Treasures programme and successful delivery against respective milestones and indicators according to the approved workplan/logframe. Furthermore, outputs include the successful coordination of the work with GMBA, MRI and other partners and production of results to elevate mountains in the Post-2020 process and support the organization of related side-events and meetings at the margins of meetings of the Convention on Biological Diversity (e.g. COP15) including production of advocacy and meeting material and follow-up activities etc.; • Successful mountain-related delivery within the context of the UN Decade, including successful policy and outreach activities, further design and development of Mountain Ecosystem Health Assessment in close collaboration with partners and science and development of potential flagship proposals and development/implementation of relevant flagship proposals/activities; • Catalyze and develop project concepts (ideas and initiatives with a strong focus on mountain biodiversity; • Additional outputs resulting from provision of support to any other related tasks as required or assigned by the supervisor; • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment; • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.