Vanishing Treasures - Virunga component Operational Focal Point

Result of Service

Delivery against outputs, milestones and indicators of the Virunga component of the Vanishing Treasures project as well as Virunga component of the UN Decade flagship Mountain Multi-country and related initiatives/ activities.

Work Location

Nairobi, Kenya

Expected duration

12 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 International Contractor will operate in the framework of the "Vanishing Treasures” project and its Virunga component and other related initiatives (UN Decade and “Mountain multi-country flagship” and its Virunga component) and will contribute in providing support with regards to the implementation of the aforementioned project and related initiatives. This post is located in the Biodiversity, People and Landscapes Unit in the Biodiversity and Land Branch (BLB), Ecosystems Division, at the Nairobi 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 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 spectacled bear and jaguar in Andes (Colombia, 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. Under the Programme Management Officer, Mountains Team Leader, Biodiversity, People and Landscapes Unit (BPLU), Ecosystems Division, the Individual Contractor will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities: • Works with key partners and stakeholders in the Greater Virunga Landscape, particularly Uganda and Rwanda, to facilitate the development, implementation and monitoring of the Vanishing Treasures project and UN Decade Multi-Country Mountain Flagship Virunga components and related follow-up activities/initiatives, etc.; monitors and analyzes specific aspects of project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and recommends corrective actions; identifies and tracks follow-up actions. • Carries out basic research on selected aspects of the project and related activities/initiatives, etc., to include collecting, analyzing and presenting statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources, with a particular focus on topics related to mountain biodiversity and wildlife in the Greater Virunga Landscape. • Provides substantive support for policy coordination and monitoring functions, including the review and analysis of emerging issues and trends, participation in project monitoring missions and studies, • Provides support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., including preparation of background documents, facilitation of discussions etc. • Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, methodology documents, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc, with regards specifically to ecosystem restoration, great ape conservation/ wildlife conservation, climate resilience, nature-based solutions, and innovative financing in mountain ecosystems with a particular focus on the Greater Virunga Landscape • Undertakes communication and outreach activities in close coordination with UNEP’s Communication Division; participates in the development of training/capacity building workshops, seminars, etc.; participates in and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities; • Contributes to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Performs other duties as required. The individual Contractors Objectives, output expectations and performance indicators are as follows: • Draft desk-based M&E report on VT phase 1 solutions, based on VT project reports, economic case studies and virtual stakeholder consultations, submitted • Field mission conducted to validate draft M&E report findings with VT beneficiaries, civil society and government stakeholder • Final M&E Monitoring report produced on VT phase 1 solutions ready for final validation by Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL) stakeholders • Regional consultation meeting organized under the VT and UN Decade MCMF to review project progress and validation of project relevant reports • Innovative communication tool(s) developed and disseminated to raise awareness about project achievements • In consultation with collaborating consultants and partners developed regional level project proposals relevant to ecosystem restoration and mountain gorilla conservation in the Greater Virunga Landscape under the UN Decade MCMF flagship ready for submission to appropriate donors • In collaboration with bioeconomy team, identified and assessed relevant case studies including innovative approaches promoting bioeconomy in mountain regions (focusing in particular on the GVL) feeding into a wider study • Identified related gaps feeding into a wider policy brief to be produced for a specific session related to bioeconomy to be organized at COP17 CBD • Concept note developed in collaboration with the bioeconomy team for integrating bioeconomy related aspects into VT sequel proposals • Draft project proposal developed in collaboration with VT partners for upscaling VT solutions in the GVL • Report on VT interventions to the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Action Plan in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University, specifically focused on the climate change component contributions, including a meeting report summarizing outcomes • Preparation of a concept note, including suggested agenda, budget, and logistics note, for a GVL conference in collaboration with VT and UN Decade MCMF partner • Field mission conducted to monitor VT Phase 2 interventions in Rwanda and report submitted with key recommendations for upscaling opportunities • Consultation meeting organised with GVL stakeholders including government, civil society, academia and transboundary organisations to review draft project proposals and concept notes, with a stakeholder feedback report submitted

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in primate conservation, conservation biology, or a related field is required. A first level university degree with additional two years of qualifying maybe accepted in lieu of advanced degree. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management is required. Experience working in the Greater Virunga Landscape, including in stakeholder engagement across government, civil society, and transboundary organisations is required. Experience in great ape conservation is required. Experience supporting or managing multi-country projects within biodiversity conservation or ecosystem restoration is desirable. Experience in developing innovative financing tools for biodiversity conservation is desirable

Languages

English is the official working languages of the United Nations. For this position fluency in both oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage. Knowledge of language(s) spoken in Kenya is an advantage.

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.