Background

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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division engages with governments and other partners to develop and promote ecosystem-based solutions for sustainable development. This assignment is in the Nature Frameworks Support Unit of the Biodiversity and Land Branch, Ecosystems Division.

The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership is a country-led global initiative that supports the development and implementation of ambitious National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). Its mission is to unite countries in achieving the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and, ultimately, the global vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050. The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership provides technical and financial support for the implementation of GBF-aligned NBSAPs. This includes strengthening country-driven coordination, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, facilitating knowledge sharing and best practices, and addressing country-specific needs. It also helps raise the national profile of countries' NBSAPs, and fast-track implementation through a matchmaking service, increased access to expertise, knowledge, and capacity development, and in-country facilitation support.

The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership’s Facilitator Programme - provides countries with direct technical support to accelerate implementation and enhance coordination in biodiversity action. It supports countries to identify and prioritise NBSAP needs, mobilise resources, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and accelerate NBSAP implementation through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. In Kenya, the Facilitator Program is looking for a consultant to assist the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry in developing a framework that strengthens the participation of Indigenous Peoples in Kenya in the NBSAP implementation process.

The consultant will report to the Head, Nature Frameworks Support Unit, BLB, Ecosystems Division and the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership Global Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities

Output 1. Inception report.

Report outlining the assignment’s methodology, stakeholder engagement strategy, activity timeline, and expected deliverables.

Output 2. Legal and Policy Review.

A review of relevant Acts of Parliament and national legal frameworks supporting Indigenous Peoples’ involvement in biodiversity conservation and NBSAP implementation.

Output 3. Analytical Report on NBSAP Targets and IPLC Participation

A report analysing Kenya’s NBSAP targets to identify alignment with Indigenous Peoples’ biodiversity and ecosystem goals and assessing Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ participation and contributions in NBSAP implementation, including key challenges and opportunities.

Output 4. Gap Analysis

A report identifying gaps in monitoring and socio-economic data on biodiversity action by Indigenous Peoples, with proposed mechanisms to address these gaps for effective NBSAP implementation and reporting.

Output 5. Stakeholder engagement

A synthesis report of consultations with NGOs, CSOs, IPLC organizations, and the National NBSAP Coordination Committee, capturing insights, challenges, successes, policy needs and recommendations for strengthening IPLC engagement.

Output 6. Draft Strategy for IPLC Engagement

A proposed strategy for engaging IPLCs in the NBSAP process through the National NBSAP Implementation Coordination Mechanism, with actionable steps for institutional integration

Output 7. Tools and Plans for Strengthening IPLC Engagement

A document including: (i) proposed indicators to measure IPLC contributions to NBSAP targets; (ii) a capacity-building plan to enhance IPLC participation in monitoring and reporting; and (iii) a communication plan to raise IPLC awareness of their role in NBSAP implementation.

Output 8. Final Report and Presentation

A consolidated final report and presentation outlining the full framework for IPLC engagement in NBSAP implementation, including actionable steps, timelines, responsible entities, and annexes with the strategy, communication plan, and capacity-building plan.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree in biodiversity conservation, international development, environmental science, management or behavioural 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 5 years of relevant experience in biodiversity conservation and demonstrable experience working with indigenous group is required. Experience in facilitating local community groups’ meeting and partnership building in diverse multi-stakeholder environments is required Experience with the NBSAP implementation process in Kenya is required Demonstrable experience in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity or related activities is required Proven experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and participatory processes with Indigenous communities, with a strong understanding of FPIC and ethical engagement practices is required Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of international frameworks (CBD, UNDRIP, KMGBF) and national Kenyan policies related to Indigenous Peoples, land, and environment is desirable.

Languages

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.

Additional Information

Specific Skills:

i. Cross-sectoral partnership engagement and collaboration, using participatory techniques for marginalized groups such as Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

ii. Communication, presentation, and networking skills

iii. Writing and reporting skills

• Develop an inception report outlining the assignment’s methodology, stakeholder engagement strategy, activity timeline, and expected deliverables.
• Conduct a review of relevant Acts of Parliament and national legal frameworks supporting Indigenous Peoples’ involvement in biodiversity conservation and NBSAP implementation.
• Analyze Kenya’s NBSAP targets to identify alignment with Indigenous Peoples’ biodiversity and ecosystem goals and assess Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ participation and contributions in NBSAP implementation, including key challenges and opportunities.
• Identify gaps in monitoring and socio-economic data on biodiversity action by Indigenous Peoples, with proposed mechanisms to address these gaps for effective NBSAP implementation and reporting.
• Synthesize consultations with NGOs, CSOs, IPLC organizations, and the National NBSAP Coordination Committee, capturing insights, challenges, successes, policy needs and recommendations for strengthening IPLC engagement.
• Propose a strategy for engaging IPLCs in the NBSAP process through the National NBSAP Implementation Coordination Mechanism, with actionable steps for institutional integration.
• Develop proposed indicators to measure IPLC contributions to NBSAP targets, a capacity-building plan to enhance IPLC participation in monitoring and reporting, and a communication plan to raise IPLC awareness of their role in NBSAP implementation.
• Prepare a consolidated final report and presentation outlining the full framework for IPLC engagement in NBSAP implementation, including actionable steps, timelines, responsible entities, and annexes with the strategy, communication plan, and capacity-building plan.

• Cross-sectoral partnership engagement and collaboration, using participatory techniques for marginalized groups such as Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
• Communication, presentation, and networking skills.
• Writing and reporting skills.
• Facilitating local community groups’ meeting and partnership building in diverse multi-stakeholder environments.
• Facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and participatory processes with Indigenous communities, with a strong understanding of FPIC and ethical engagement practices.

• An advanced university degree in biodiversity conservation, international development, environmental science, management or behavioural 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 5 years of relevant experience in biodiversity conservation.
• Demonstrable experience working with indigenous groups.
• Experience with the NBSAP implementation process in Kenya.
• Demonstrable experience in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity or related activities.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of international frameworks (CBD, UNDRIP, KMGBF) and national Kenyan policies related to Indigenous Peoples, land, and environment is desirable.