Result of Service

The purpose of the consultancy is to deliver a technical study of the experiences of indigenous peoples and local communities in relation to access and benefit-sharing frameworks and practices related to genetic resources, traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, and digital sequence information on genetic resources, and a draft action plan in relation to genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with the genetic resources held by indigenous peoples and local communities to support the implementation of the Convention. The work will be carried out in three main steps: first, preparation of a draft technical study and draft plan of action; second, facilitation and analysis of a peer review process involving Parties, indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant stakeholders; and third, preparation of the final technical study and plan of action, taking into account the comments and inputs received, as appropriate.

Work Location

Remote/Home-based

Expected duration

Twelve (12) months

Duties and Responsibilities

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING The United Nations Environment Programme 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. At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for 'sustainable development'. The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature in Rio in 1992. The Convention has three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and is administered by United Nations Environment Programme. Its main tasks are to arrange for and service meetings of the Conference of the Parties, including preparation of pertinent documentation, operation of the central node of the clearing-house mechanism, liaison and coordination with other international bodies and processes and, in close collaboration with these partners, the provision of technical support for the effective implementation of the Convention. Under the direct supervision of the Head and with the support of the Programme Management Officer of the Engagement and Cooperation Unit, the consultant will perform the following duties:

Conduct a desk review of relevant literature, national access and benefit-sharing measures, and existing case studies.
Analyze of documented experiences and inputs from indigenous peoples and local communities, through a regionally balanced analytical approach, incorporating case studies and experiences from different geographic and socio-cultural regions.
Identify cross-cutting trends, best practices, and implementation gaps.
Prepare a first draft of the technical study and plan of action for review by the Secretariat.
Support the peer review process, including compiling and analyzing comments and inputs from Parties, indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant stakeholders.
Prepare the final technical study and a draft plan of action, ensuring that the final outputs are clear, accessible and implementation oriented.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic qualifications: An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in law, environmental policy, biodiversity, international relations, social sciences, development studies or a related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Experience:

A minimum of five (5) years of work experience in areas related to biodiversity policy, traditional knowledge, access and benefit-sharing, environmental law, international policy process is required.
Experience conducting technical research, policy analysis and drafting analytical reports is desirable.
Experience working on access and benefit-sharing related to genetic resources, traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources and digital sequence information on genetic resources is desirable. Skills:
Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to define the scope and context of study and plan of action for Tasks 3.1 and 3.2 of the programme of work on Article 8(j) and identify appropriate analytical approaches.
Excellent knowledge and understanding of genetic resources, traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources and digital sequence information on genetic resources as well as their relevance to indigenous peoples and local communities.
Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to work with minimal supervision and to deliver results within agreed deadlines required. Competencies: Professionalism - Communication - Teamwork

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is desirable. NOTE: "Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

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.

Consultant to Conduct a Technical Study on Access and Benefit-Sharing related to the Utilization of Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Digital Sequence Information