Regional Coordinator – CITES Tree Species Project (Africa)

Result of Service

The primary aim of the contract is to ensure a smooth launch of the implementation of shortlisted projects in the Africa region, support the mapping of planned activities, and the delivery of high-quality outputs in all target countries of the region. In the course of the contract, the work will be delivered mostly in electronic form, via emails and online meetings with the CITES Secretariat, but also participating in field missions and international meetings as appropriate. Travel will depend on availability of resources, Governments invitations, and the CITES Secretariat travel policy. The ultimate result of the service will be a final report detailing all results achieved in the implementation of these terms of reference, and referring to outputs and activities achieved under the various projects conducted in the Africa region.

Work Location

Homebased

Expected duration

Six 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. 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 UNEP and is located in Geneva, Switzerland. This assignment is part of the CITES Secretariat’s work under the Outreach and Projects Unit. In fulfillment of Decision 20.31 on the CITES Tree Species Programme, the Secretariat is coordinating the implementation of the project “CITES Tree Species Project – Sustainable trade and forest governance” funded by Germany – through the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. The CITES Tree Species Programme (CTSP) (referred to below as the Programme) seeks to foster economically, socially and environmentally sustainable development. It helps maximize CITES contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, notably Goal 15 on Life on Land as it relates to sustainably managing forests and halting biodiversity loss. The Programme aims to improve and strengthen forest governance to ensure benefit from long-term species conservation and contribute to rural development in often remote areas, sustainable economic growth at country level and long-term poverty alleviation. The Programme supports Parties that export valuable parts and derivatives of CITES-listed tree species by providing direct financial assistance for taking conservation and management measures to ensure that their trade in timber...