Specialist in totoaba management and trade (1 post)

Result of Service

A final written report including, at a minimum, all sections in the “Outlines for a study on vaquita and totoaba” (contained in the Annex), of a study on vaquita and totoaba focusing on the conservation status, illegal trade and supply and demand of totoaba specimens, with a particular focus on swim bladders in order to identify recommendations to range, transit and consumer States so they can undertake corresponding action, individually or collectively.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

6 Months (90 days of work)

Duties and Responsibilities

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between states. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival (www.cites.org). The CITES Secretariat is administered by UN Environment Programme and is located at the Geneva Duty Station.

In fulfillment of Decision 18.294 (Rev. CoP19) paragraph c) on Totoabas (Totoaba macdonaldi), the CITES Secretariat is undertaking a study on vaquita and totoaba focusing on the conservation status, illegal trade and supply and demand of totoaba specimens, with a particular focus on swim bladders in order to identify recommendations to range, transit and consumer States so they can undertake corresponding action, individually or collectively.

Under the overall supervision of Chief of the Science Unit of the CITES Secretariat, and in consultation with other relevant Units, the consultant will be:


A1. Conducting a review of available information, including the scientific literature and reports by experts, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, and multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) as well as relevant meeting documents on, inter alia:
a) totoaba and vaquita conservation status, threats and conservation efforts including enforcement related actions;
b) illegal trade in and markets for totoaba, its swim bladders, and any other parts and derivatives, the characteristic of the illegal trade, drivers and actors of illegal trade, including the identification and analysis of illicit financial flows linked to trade in totoaba, its swim bladders, and any other parts and derivatives;
c) challenges associated with addressing the illegal trade chain and opportunities to address these challenges;
d) supply and demand for totoaba and market developments;
e) the potential positive and negative impacts of legal trade in totoaba specimens on illegal trade and the conservation status of vaquita and totoaba;
f) ongoing activities relating to cooperation amongst range, transit and consumer States with the aim of identifying gaps and opportunities for inter-governmental cooperation and synergies;
g) activities relating to cooperation on totoaba and vaquita conservation by other Parties and relevant stakeholders with the aim of identifying gaps and existing or potential synergies as well as opportunities for new strategic partnerships; and
h) any other issues relevant to totoaba and vaquita conservation and linked to the above identified by the Secretariat, the Standing Committee and relevant Parties while the review of information is taking place.


A2. Preparing and submitting an annotated outline for a report based on the review of information referred to in A1 taking into consideration the “Outline for a study on vaquita and totoaba” agreed by the CITES Standing Committee. The annotated outline for the report will include a list of references and details on planned consultations with stakeholders (relevant Parties to CITES, organizations and experts) ensuring balance and representativeness of the different actors and points of view to acquire information not readily available in literature.


A3. Consulting relevant Parties to CITES and other key stakeholders and experts based on the consultation plan and taking into consideration the review in A1 in order to:
a) identify and obtain additional information, including on the conservation status and threats to the vaquita and totoaba and enforcement actions, or clarify available information;
b) articulate based on the best available scientific, enforcement and other relevant information, potential avenues for the recovery of vaquita and totoaba; and
c) provide specific recommendations directed to range, transit and consumer States on actions that can be taken, individually or collectively, to conserve the vaquita and address illegal trade in totoaba specimens with a particular focus on swim bladders;

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in natural resource management, law enforcement, international criminology, environmental or wildlife law or any related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with four (4) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Knowledge of the conservation status and threats to vaquita and totoaba
Excellent knowledge of totoaba and vaquita illegal trade dynamics, including demand for totoaba specimens is required
Experience in and knowledge of CITES
Experience working in marine species
Experience in production of technical reports within agreed timeframes is desirable

Languages

English, French and Spanish are the working languages of the CITES Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in spoken and written English and Spanish is required.

Additional Information

The duration of the work is estimated to be 90 working days, and to be completed within 6 months by 31 December 2023. Starting date between 1st and 10 July 2023.

- Prior experience with the UN system is desirable
- Prior experience working with developing countries is desirable

No Fee

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.