Biodiversity Monitoring and Reporting Consultant at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Specific tasks and responsibilities, to be undertaken in coordination with the programme team, include:

• Map available global data sets for each KMGBF target and prepare an online document for countries to access live links to the global data sets (those not included in the WCMC Target Tracker), including links and instructions to access national-level data, with a focus on headline, component, and complementary indicators as per the KMGBF monitoring framework.
•  Map UNEP-supported countries’ national indicators submitted through the CBD’s Online Reporting Tool, to identify trends, gaps and priorities for capacity building/monitoring support at national and regional levels including alignment with KMGBF headline indicators and binary questions;
• Plan and organize regional/subregional peer-to-peer exchanges and global webinars on national experiences, needs and learning related to KMGBF monitoring and reporting (including integration of the monitoring framework into NBSAPs and national reports) and prepare country and regional case study examples drawing from the exchanges/webinars, to present as an information document for consideration at SBI-7.
• Undertake review of national monitoring action plans or monitoring activities of UNEP-supported countries, to assess the extent of countries’ planning and preparedness for monitoring and reporting in line with KMGBF requirements, such as the use of standardized indicators and synergies with other frameworks (e.g., SDGs and SEEA);
• Identify relevant activities/approaches being undertaken and guidance being produced under related initiatives/organizations (including UNEP-WCMC’s National Monitoring Systems Initiative (NMSI), NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, Technical and Scientific Cooperation Centres (TSCCs), custodian agencies and the Ad Hoc Technical Group on Indicators) and support collaboration/roll-out in UNEP-supported countries and regions, where suitable and possible.
•  Identify needs and activities to inform Terms of Reference for longer-term support for country/regional monitoring and reporting, including through engagement of TSCCs and custodian agencies of key global indicators and KMGBF targets, with emphasis on addressing data gaps, capacity-building for headline indicators, and preparation for the 7th and 8th national reports.
• Prepare a final report summarizing actions undertaken, deliverables achieved, and lessons learnt during the period of consultancy including recommendations for enhancing alignment with the KMGBF monitoring and reporting framework.
• The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the Nature Frameworks Support Unit, in coordination with the Programme Management Officers working on the EAS and NBSAP Update and 7th National Reports projects. The consultancy will build on existing monitoring and reporting activities and relevant ongoing efforts by UNEP, UNDP and CBD.

Qualifications/special skills

• An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent degree) in environmental sciences, data science, development studies, or a related social science field is desirable.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in supporting implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at multiple levels (international, regional, and national) is required.
• Experience in review and analysis of national, regional and global biodiversity strategies, plans and implementation, including supporting monitoring and reporting-related activities, is required.
• Knowledge of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its mandates, processes for the development, implementation and review of national biodiversity strategies and action plans, and biodiversity monitoring and reporting is required.
• Knowledge of national biodiversity indicator development is desirable.