| Posting Title: | International Consultant: Development of a Roadmap for the NOWPAP Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Conservation Strategy |
| Department/Office: | United Nations Environment Programme |
| Duty Station: | TOYAMA |
| Posting Period: | 23 November 2018 - 09 January 2019 |
| Job Opening Number: | 18-United Nations Environment Programme-107433-Consultant |
Result of Service
Roadmap for the development of NOWPAP Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Conservation Strategy
Work Location
Home-based
Expected duration
10 January 2019 – 09 January 2020 (work-days - 25)
Duties and Responsibilities
The Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northwest Pacific Region (NOWPAP) is one of the Regional Seas Programmes of the UN Environment and was adopted by the four member states (P.R. China, Japan, R. Korea, and the Russian Federation) in 1994 (https://www.unenvironment.org/nowpap/). The overall goal of the NOWPAP is "the wise use, development and management of the coastal and marine environment so as to obtain the utmost long-term benefits for the human populations of the region, while protecting human health, ecological integrity and the region’s sustainability for future generations".
The major focus of the NOWPAP Medium-term Strategy 2018-2023 adopted in June 2018 is on the coordination of the regional implementation of the ocean-related SDGs, particularly SDG 14 using NOWPAP mechanism. NOWPAP will implement this leading role, by focusing on the three pillars: (i) an ecosystem-based management approach to sustainable development of marine and coastal areas to achieve the Ecological Quality Objectives; (ii) monitoring and reporting on progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 14 and its targets, and (ii) strengthening partnerships with relevant global and regional institutions. Of the Medium-term 2018-2023 priorities is conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity. Work in this area will be capped with the development of a Regional Action Plan on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Conservation (or RAP BIO thereafter) by the end of Medium-term Strategy period in 2023.
Future NOWPAP RAP BIO should be aligned with the priorities and vision of the NOWPAP Medium-term Strategy 2018-2023 and based on: (i) an assessment of the current state of and identified regional priorities for marine and coastal biodiversity conservation and use and main impacts of human activities incorporating future trends affecting ecosystem health; (ii) an identification of main actors, key strategic objectives and actions by different partners to define NOWPAP’s comparative role and the advantage and complemented by a draft Action Plan with priority activities for future development with potential funding opportunities.
The overall objective of the consultancy is to provide scientific and technical leadership in the development of the RAP BIO Roadmap. The Roadmap for RAP BIO should include the list of activities over the two years (2020-2021) that would result in the adoption of the NOWPAP RAP BIO and its Action Plan. International Consultant reports to the NOWPAP Senior Coordinator and will closely interact with other members of the NOWPAP Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU) and Secretariats of the four Regional Activity Centers (RACs) as well as NOWPAP external partners when requested.
Under the direct supervision of the NOWPAP Senior Coordinator and in close cooperation with other RCU staff and RAC Secretariats, consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
Task 1: Brief review of NOWPAP past activities related to marine and coastal biodiversity issues.
Task 2: Review and assess regional and global (e.g., as provided in https://www.cbd.int/nbsap/related-info/region-bsap/default.shtml) action plans on marine and coastal biodiversity conservation and sustainable use to identify main building blocks, results-based criteria and other factors relevant for the development of NOWPAP RAP BIO.
Task 3: Identify clusters of issues of regional and national importance for marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the NOWPAP region (including based on inputs provided by NOWPAP experts). The focus should be on marine and coastal biodiversity issues of transboundary significance.
Task 4: Supported by national consultants identify major policy directions, projects and programs and main funding sources addressing marine and coastal biodiversity in the four NOWPAP countries and at the regional level (COBSEA, UN ESCAP/NEASPEC, IOC-WESTPAC, PICES, ASEAN, APEC and others if applicable).
Task 5: Develop the outline and propose plan of activities for NOWPAP RAP BIO Roadmap for approval by the 24th NOWPAP Intergovernmental Meeting in 2019, including recommended consultations process.
Qualifications/special skills
Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (PhD preferred) in marine- or freshwater-related science with the focus on conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity and/or environmental economics, or in a related field, or a first university degree in combination with five additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Roadmap for the development of NOWPAP Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Conservation Strategy
Work Location
Home-based
Expected duration
10 January 2019 – 09 January 2020 (work-days - 25)
Duties and Responsibilities
The Action Plan for the Protection, Management and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Northwest Pacific Region (NOWPAP) is one of the Regional Seas Programmes of the UN Environment and was adopted by the four member states (P.R. China, Japan, R. Korea, and the Russian Federation) in 1994 (https://www.unenvironment.org/nowpap/). The overall goal of the NOWPAP is "the wise use, development and management of the coastal and marine environment so as to obtain the utmost long-term benefits for the human populations of the region, while protecting human health, ecological integrity and the region’s sustainability for future generations".
The major focus of the NOWPAP Medium-term Strategy 2018-2023 adopted in June 2018 is on the coordination of the regional implementation of the ocean-related SDGs, particularly SDG 14 using NOWPAP mechanism. NOWPAP will implement this leading role, by focusing on the three pillars: (i) an ecosystem-based management approach to sustainable development of marine and coastal areas to achieve the Ecological Quality Objectives; (ii) monitoring and reporting on progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 14 and its targets, and (ii) strengthening partnerships with relevant global and regional institutions. Of the Medium-term 2018-2023 priorities is conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity. Work in this area will be capped with the development of a Regional Action Plan on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Conservation (or RAP BIO thereafter) by the end of Medium-term Strategy period in 2023.
Future NOWPAP RAP BIO should be aligned with the priorities and vision of the NOWPAP Medium-term Strategy 2018-2023 and based on: (i) an assessment of the current state of and identified regional priorities for marine and coastal biodiversity conservation and use and main impacts of human activities incorporating future trends affecting ecosystem health; (ii) an identification of main actors, key strategic objectives and actions by different partners to define NOWPAP’s comparative role and the advantage and complemented by a draft Action Plan with priority activities for future development with potential funding opportunities.
The overall objective of the consultancy is to provide scientific and technical leadership in the development of the RAP BIO Roadmap. The Roadmap for RAP BIO should include the list of activities over the two years (2020-2021) that would result in the adoption of the NOWPAP RAP BIO and its Action Plan. International Consultant reports to the NOWPAP Senior Coordinator and will closely interact with other members of the NOWPAP Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU) and Secretariats of the four Regional Activity Centers (RACs) as well as NOWPAP external partners when requested.
Under the direct supervision of the NOWPAP Senior Coordinator and in close cooperation with other RCU staff and RAC Secretariats, consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
Task 1: Brief review of NOWPAP past activities related to marine and coastal biodiversity issues.
Task 2: Review and assess regional and global (e.g., as provided in https://www.cbd.int/nbsap/related-info/region-bsap/default.shtml) action plans on marine and coastal biodiversity conservation and sustainable use to identify main building blocks, results-based criteria and other factors relevant for the development of NOWPAP RAP BIO.
Task 3: Identify clusters of issues of regional and national importance for marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the NOWPAP region (including based on inputs provided by NOWPAP experts). The focus should be on marine and coastal biodiversity issues of transboundary significance.
Task 4: Supported by national consultants identify major policy directions, projects and programs and main funding sources addressing marine and coastal biodiversity in the four NOWPAP countries and at the regional level (COBSEA, UN ESCAP/NEASPEC, IOC-WESTPAC, PICES, ASEAN, APEC and others if applicable).
Task 5: Develop the outline and propose plan of activities for NOWPAP RAP BIO Roadmap for approval by the 24th NOWPAP Intergovernmental Meeting in 2019, including recommended consultations process.
Qualifications/special skills
Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (PhD preferred) in marine- or freshwater-related science with the focus on conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity and/or environmental economics, or in a related field, or a first university degree in combination with five additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in project or programme management related to marine biodiversity conservation, or related marine sciences/management filed, of which some should be at the international level in formulation and co-ordination of multi-disciplinary national and international projects. Knowledge of international cooperation programmes in the field and the experience with international policy setting processes, including Convention on Biological Diversity are desirable. Familiarity with the UN system would be an advantage.
Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of at least one additional language of the region is desirable (Russian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese).
