Technical Advisor – Environmental (Facilitator) at United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

 Functional Responsibilities

The ultimate result of services: 

Assess NBSAP Landscape

• Identify and monitor country/region-specific biodiversity priorities, capacity needs/demands and implementation challenges. This might include e.g., conducting high-level mapping of stakeholders to identify key players, their motivations, commitments, and potential synergies. 
• Facilitate national, country-specific, multi-stakeholder dialogues.
• Develop a comprehensive work plan outlining goals, objectives, activities, and timelines for NBSAP implementation support together with the host government/institution.
• Monitor country/region-specific NBSAP priorities and implementation progress, providing ongoing support and guidance as needed.

Mobilise Support 

• On behalf of the host country/region, identify specific needs and requests e.g. technical capacity, financial resources and increased political will.
• Through a whole-of-government & whole-of-society approach, assist the host government/institution in the design and development of specific requests for support.
• Submit requests for support to relevant stakeholders e.g. through the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership match-making mechanism or other platforms.
• Support the host government/institution in selecting the best fit of offered support packages.
• Monitor the implementation of the support packages.
• Identify and support resource mobilisation.

Coordinate Action

• Foster alignment and collaboration among existing and emerging initiatives to ensure a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach with activities, programs and partnerships to streamline efforts, leverage investments and maximise synergies across the 3 Rio Conventions.
• Support the strengthening and monitoring of existing national structures for NBSAP implementation.
• Sharing global best practices, guidance, tools materials in country/region but also taking learning, case studies, sharing with other facilitators
• Identify and coordinate knowledge and information exchange e.g. peer-to-peer, south-south, north-south and triangular knowledge exchange opportunities for the host government/institution.
• Facilitate and coordinate exchanges between key partners working on NBSAP implementation and link to services and activities to ensure alignment and avoid duplication.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• The assignment is supervised by the Manager of the Global Programme on Nature for Development.
• Maintain regular communication with designated host country National Focal Points to ensure alignment with other ongoing activities. 
• Maintain regular communication with the Country Engagement Coordinator of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, providing updates on progress, challenges, and achievements.
• Prepare periodic reports on the status of NBSAP implementation, including key milestones, lessons learned, and recommendations for improvement.
• Prepare quarterly financial reports of expenditures to the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership.

Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent), preferably in environmental science, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management or other related discipline is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) with an additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:
Required Experience

• At least seven (7) years of relevant experience in biodiversity conservation, project management, facilitation, stakeholder engagement or other relevant areas is required.

Desired Experience

• A proven track record of working with government institutions, civil society organisations, and international partners is desirable.
• Previous experience working with NBSAPs and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and other international biodiversity frameworks is desirable.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to act as a bridge and mobilize support across diverse stakeholders, are desirable.
• Previous experience working for regional or international organizations is an advantage.

Language:

• Full working knowledge of English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language (eg. Spanish or French) is an asset.