Knowledge Management Coordinator

Result of Service

1. Leading the formulation and implementation of regional initiatives on marine and coastal resilience, aligned with the Convention’s protocols on pollution control, mangrove management and ICZM. 2. Supporting harmonisation and cooperation among Contracting Parties by promoting joint initiatives, regional standards, and mechanisms addressing land-based pollution, marine pollution and oil spill risks. 3. Guiding restoration and conservation programmes, with emphasis on mangroves, lagoons, estuaries and other critical habitats, promoting nature-based solutions and climate-resilient coastal infrastructure. 4. Developing best practices and knowledge exchange through regional workshops, technical trainings, peer-learning platforms and dissemination of best practices. 5. Facilitating the Monitoring of regional environmental trends related to climate impacts, ecosystem health and pollution, and providing regular analyses, policy guidance and early-warning insights through contracting parties reporting. 6. Strengthening partnerships with regional and international institutions, including UN agencies, regional fisheries bodies, research institutions and development partners, Research center to support coordinated action and mobilise financial resources. 7. Preparing high-quality technical documents such as project proposals, implementation guidelines, progress reports, policy briefs and communication materials. 8. Supporting Contracting Parties in applying and reporting on the Abidjan Convention’s protocols and action plans, ensuring coherence between national actions and regional priorities. 9. Contributing to strategic and operational planning of the Secretariat, including annual work plans, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and performance reporting. 10. Engaging stakeholders and decision makers on transboundary, regional and international momentum including comprehensive strategies and emerging issues.

Work Location

Cote d'Ivoire

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the world's leading environmental authority. It 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. The Abidjan Convention, established in 1981, covers the Atlantic Ocean from Mauritania to South Africa and has a coastline of just over 14,000 km. In accordance with Article 16 of the Convention, the United Nations Environment Programme, through its Abidjan-based Secretariat, is responsible for administrative and coordination of the Convention. The Abidjan Convention provides a regional cooperation framework for the protection, management and development of the marine and coastal environment of the south-eastern Atlantic region. This region hosts ecologically significant ecosystems—mangroves, lagoons, estuaries, coral and seagrass habitats—that sustain vital fisheries, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of millions of coastal residents. However, these ecosystems are under increasing threat from rising sea levels, accelerated coastal erosion, land salinisation, habitat degradation, and climate-induced biodiversity loss. Human activities such as maritime transport and oil and gas exploration and exploitation further increase the risk of land-based pollution and oil spills. Strengthening coastal resilience and regional capacity to respond to these pressures is therefore a priority for the Contracting Parties. Through its protocols on pollution control, mangrove conservation and integrated coastal zone management (ICZM), the Abidjan Convention offers mechanisms to harmonise national policies, facilitate cooperation and support coordinated regional responses. To advance this work, the Secretariat seeks to recruit a Knowledge Management Coordinator to lead regional initiatives aimed at enhancing ecological and socio-economic resilience. The Consultant will be reporting the Executive Secretary of the Abidjan Convention and will be expected to perform the following duties and Responsibilities: A. Implementation of Adaptation Fund Project activities • Lead and coordinate the implementation of the Adaptation Fund project in line with the project work plan and objectives, ensuring effective delivery of planned activities and outputs. • Organise and deliver a regional workshop on coastal climate adaptation experiences, including preparation of the concept note, agenda, technical background materials and workshop report highlighting key recommendations and lessons learned. • Oversee the development and operationalisation of a digital knowledge platform to support regional knowledge exchange on coastal resilience and climate adaptation, including the development of knowledge products and documentation of best practices, lessons learned and case studies. • Coordinate the preparation and dissemination of regional knowledge products on coastal climate adaptation, documenting lessons learned, emerging practices and regional adaptation approaches. • Ensure effective project monitoring and reporting, including preparation of periodic progress reports in accordance with the requirements of the Adaptation Fund, the Abidjan Convention Secretariat and relevant UNEP monitoring and reporting systems. B. Regional coordination, monitoring, partnerships and strategic engagement • Support the coordination and implementation of regional initiatives on marine and coastal resilience in line with the priorities of the Abidjan Convention. • Strengthen partnerships with regional and international institutions, including UN agencies, regional organisations, regional fisheries bodies, research institutions and development partners, to support coordinated action and mobilise resources for marine and coastal resilience initiatives. • Prepare technical and strategic documentation, including project proposals, policy briefs, implementation guidance and communication materials, and contribute to the Secretariat's annual work planning, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and performance reporting. • Facilitate regional consultations and policy dialogues with stakeholders and decision-makers on marine and coastal resilience and emerging regional priorities and contribute to the development and implementation of regional strategies and action plans supporting the Abidjan Convention and its protocols

Qualifications/special skills

Education: Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in knowledge management, information systems, environmental sciences, marine affairs, natural resource management, climate change, international development or a related field is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. JFQ/JSQ: At least 02 years of progressively responsible experience in coastal zone management, marine conservation, climate adaptation or related areas is required. Demonstrated experience in regional or international cooperation mechanisms is required. Strong analytical, writing and reporting abilities is desirable. Demonstrated strong experience with project development, management, monitoring and reporting is required. Experience working with coastal communities, national institutions and/or regional organisations is a strong asset is desirable. Strong technical knowledge of marine and coastal ecosystems in West, central or Southern Africa is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in oral and written English and French is required. Knowledge of any other UN language is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.