High-Level Strategic Advisor – NBSAP Accelerator Partnership at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

• Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Nature Frameworks Support Unit and in close coordination with the Global Coordinator of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, the consultant will provide strategic advisory services to strengthen the political positioning, partnerships, advocacy and resource mobilization of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership.  

The consultant will undertake the following assignments:  
Strategic Political Engagement 

• Provide strategic advice to the Global Coordination Unit and Co-Chairs on political priorities, opportunities and engagement strategies to advance implementation of the KMGBF.  
• Prepare ministerial dialogues, Steering Committee meetings, high-level bilateral engagements and international biodiversity events. 
• Identify emerging political opportunities and advise on approaches to strengthen country ownership and political commitment for NBSAP implementation. 
• Represent the Partnership, as requested, during selected high-level meetings, consultations and international events.  

Strategic Advisory Role 

• Provide high-level strategic advice to the GCU to ensure alignment between political engagement, resource mobilization efforts, and the Accelerator’s operational delivery. 
• Guide the GCU in preparing for high-level engagements, including Steering Committee meetings, ministerial dialogues and global events during COPs. 
• Provide strategic advice to the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership and its members on the political economy and opportunities for advancing NBSAP implementation. 
• Offer insight on positioning, stakeholder engagement, and global advocacy strategies. 
• Contribute to strengthening coherence and alignment across the Accelerator’s efforts at the global level. 
• Guide the GCU in preparing for high-level engagements, including Steering Committee meetings, ministerial dialogues, and global events, ensuring coherence in messaging, positioning, and expected outcomes.
• Work closely with Co-Chairs to steer high-level engagements, including contributing to Steering Committee discussions and outcomes.
• Represent the GCU and the Accelerator in high-level discussions, side-events and bilaterals with (potential) donors. 
• Provide political leadership for the Partnership by offering strategic guidance to the GCU leadership, including the Senior Programme Coordinator, on priorities and timelines. 
• Report periodically to the co-chairs and the Steering Committee for strong alignment.

Partnership & Resource Mobilisation

• Closely engage with the Accelerator members and supporters, as well as donors for deepening their engagement and expansion of the partnership.
• Lead and engage with broader partners including potential traditional and non-traditional donors to solicit their support for strengthening the Accelerator, in particular, to secure long-term funding, including resources for the matchmaking mechanism of the Accelerator.  Foster strategic relationships with traditional and non-traditional partners. 
• Open political and institutional pathways to enable scaled support for NBSAP implementation.

Qualifications/special skills

• An advanced university degree in biodiversity conservation, international development, environmental science, economics, management or behavioral sciences or closely related field is required. 
• A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.  
• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in establishment of inter-relationships among international organizations and national governments, preferably in the context of international biodiversity conservation, Environmental Management, national biodiversity policy, planning and implementation, or partnership building processes is required 
• At least five (5) years of managing and coordinating international programmes in environment-related fields, building strategic alliances and partnerships and/or resource mobilization is required.  
• A track record of international experience in the implementation of Multilateral Environment Agreements or related activities is desirable.  
• Strong track record in raising funds for international initiatives is desirable.

Languages
Required knowledge of languages:  
Language:  

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. 
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. 
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage, particularly Spanish or German.