Policy Specialist at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

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 Law Division is the lead Division charged with carrying out the functions of UNEP in the field of environmental law and environmental governance through law, national and international governance, and related policy issues, including those related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs).
With the imminent adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in 2022 under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) for the period 2022-2030, there is a need for 196 Parties (Member States) to develop plans for effective implementation of the GBF.

At the national level, the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) are the vehicles for countries to strategize and develop action plans for implementation of GBF. With increasing focus on inclusive actions to achieve the GBF there is a strong consensus among different stakeholder groups supporting the CBD to use the recent developments in data and information for decision and policy making at various levels.
There is no comprehensive global guidance on defining the data and information governance policies for accessing, using, sharing, and analyzing biodiversity data.

The Law Division of UNEP is keen to engage the services of an expert to develop a guidance document on biodiversity data and governance in support of implementing the GBF. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of Programme Manager, ACP MEAs 3 programme as well as other colleagues as suggested by the Programme Manager and will contribute to the following:

• Developing a “Data Governance” “Information management” policy and implementation framework on biodiversity, for use at global and national levels.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications:

• At least a Master’s degree in environment, development, humanities, management, social sciences, ICT or a related field is required.
• A first level degree with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree.

Experience:

• Proven expertise in policy formulation and programme/project development is required.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience working on issues related to data management and governance issues, data standards is required.
• Relevant knowledge about data and information management systems will be an asset.
• Excellent research, analytical and writing skills is required.

Closing Date: 23 September 2022