Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview),

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 partners to develop and promote ecosystem-based solutions for sustainable development. This position is in Biodiversity and Land Branch. This assignment is intended to (i) mainstream biodiversity economy in various landscape portfolios, and (ii) conduct the scoping phase of the Nature for Health initiative in Kenya.

This assignment is expected to support and coordinate the scoping phase of the Nature for Health in Kenya to co-create an Implementation Project Document. The process coordinated by the consultant will support the establishment of a common understanding, vision and commitment to collaborate among the various stakeholders in Kenya, to improve understanding of the links between health of the environment and human and animal health, and to understand the importance of preventive approach. Technical materials are produced and dialogues held to support and feed into (i) the Vanishing Treasures sequel and support further upscaling and follow-up activities as well as formulation of follow up project ideas, as well as support the work under other BPL related projects such as Congo Basin Landscapes Initiative, Great Green Wall, Resilient Mountains/ UNEP’s broader work on biodiversity, peoples and landscapes.

The scoping stage is designed as a systemic inquiry and will conclude when a co-developed Implementation Project Document is produced that details the activity plan and budget. The scoping stage is a limited exercise estimated to last approximately 9 months and to be completed in 2027.

Responsibilities or duties,

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Biodiversity People and Landscapes Unit, with direct oversight by the Programme manager, the consultant will:

• For N4H, Plan and organize stakeholders' workshops
• Support the engagements with stakeholders to build the N4H Partnership and inform the development of the Implementation Project Document
• Design the Implementation Phase (in collaboration with UNEP and Systems Approach Facilitator)
• N4H Project management
• For Biodiversity Economy, develop an internal report on the compilation of case studies/best practices and impacts from the economic tools for conservation from the BPL regions (as well as possibly other related case studies with a specific focus on critical biomes and bioregions). Including: - Stakeholder consultations across the BPL portfolio and partnership networks - The investment case to support biodiversity economy in critical forest, mountain and dryland ecosystems, the priority intervention areas and existing partnerships. - Integration of evidence from best practices and economic tools for conservation Including from areas/countries not covered by respective projects - Providing an analysis and highlighting the existing gaps, barriers and drivers to attain the sustainable livelihoods and strengthen resilience based on biodiversity economy. - Recommendations to inform decision-making supporting upscaling at national and regional as well as global level
• For Biodiversity Economy, develop (1) policy brief based on the previous analysis, highlighting the necessary enabling conditions for successful uptake by governments and best practices/innovative approaches to foster an equitable economic transition based on a sustainable use of biodiversity. This includes; - Synthesis of evidence from available project related case studies, best practices and other relevant initiatives. - Identification of scalable and innovative approaches. - Focus on drivers, enabling policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, and scaling pathways.
• For Biodiversity Economy, coordinate (1) policy dialogue session on bioeconomy in critical forest, mountains and drylands as a side event at CBD CoP17 in Armenia (including one event within context of potential thematic day on mountain biodiversity tbc), This includes; - Develop the programme outline - Liaise on administrative and management tasks to arrange venue and session logistics. - Document key messages outcomes and recommendations for the session - Engaging and bringing together donors, government stakeholders with experience in the adoption of policies and practices to enable resilient livelihoods based on bioeconomy to share lessons learned and facilitate discussions in support of a further transformational shift.
• Draft (1) donor facing biodiversity economy proposal, designed to support broader resource mobilisation efforts and outreach.
• Draft (1) one specific baseline report (three-pager) to inform Vanishing Treasures project sequel design, including: - Data and stakeholder analysis - Priority activities and partners identified - Draft problem tree, theory of change, log frame outline developed - Opportunities for scaling bioeconomy outlined
• As part of an overall effort to support a wider transformational shift and through further conducted internal and external consultations develop a baseline in support of future programmatic work in support of UNEP PoW/Nature Action Subprogramme (e.g. in support of possible sequel to Vanishing Treasures project, the biodiversity economy UNEP project document and UNEP’s efforts towards GBF 9 and 18) including initiatives focused on applying innovative economic tools to enable an equitable economic transition based on resilient livelihoods and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills),

An advanced university degree (MSc level or higher) in the social, behavioral or management sciences is required. A first level degree with additional two years of qualifying experience maybe accepted in lieu of advanced degree.

Experience needed,

A minimum of 5 years of postgraduate work experience in project management and organizational partnership building in diverse multi-stakeholder environments is required. Experience organizing and coordinating workshops and processes for stakeholders across sectors is required. Experience in cross-sectoral partnership building and collaboration is required. Demonstrated experience in communication and presentation, planning and organizing, writing and reporting are required. Progressive responsible experience in sustainable use of biodiversity and landscapes management, biodiversity conservation and restoration or experience in Biodiversity Economy Projects implementation is desirable. Demonstrated experience in project management and programming for sustainable development is required.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Work Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Expected duration: 12 Months

• For N4H, Plan and organize stakeholders' workshops
• Support the engagements with stakeholders to build the N4H Partnership and inform the development of the Implementation Project Document
• Design the Implementation Phase (in collaboration with UNEP and Systems Approach Facilitator)
• N4H Project management
• For Biodiversity Economy, develop an internal report on the compilation of case studies/best practices and impacts from the economic tools for conservation from the BPL regions (as well as possibly other related case studies with a specific focus on critical biomes and bioregions). Including: - Stakeholder consultations across the BPL portfolio and partnership networks - The investment case to support biodiversity economy in critical forest, mountain and dryland ecosystems, the priority intervention areas and existing partnerships. - Integration of evidence from best practices and economic tools for conservation Including from areas/countries not covered by respective projects - Providing an analysis and highlighting the existing gaps, barriers and drivers to attain the sustainable livelihoods and strengthen resilience based on biodiversity economy. - Recommendations to inform decision-making supporting upscaling at national and regional as well as global level
• For Biodiversity Economy, develop (1) policy brief based on the previous analysis, highlighting the necessary enabling conditions for successful uptake by governments and best practices/innovative approaches to foster an equitable economic transition based on a sustainable use of biodiversity. This includes; - Synthesis of evidence from available project related case studies, best practices and other relevant initiatives. - Identification of scalable and innovative approaches. - Focus on drivers, enabling policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, and scaling pathways.
• For Biodiversity Economy, coordinate (1) policy dialogue session on bioeconomy in critical forest, mountains and drylands as a side event at CBD CoP17 in Armenia (including one event within context of potential thematic day on mountain biodiversity tbc), This includes; - Develop the programme outline - Liaise on administrative and management tasks to arrange venue and session logistics. - Document key messages outcomes and recommendations for the session - Engaging and bringing together donors, government stakeholders with experience in the adoption of policies and practices to enable resilient livelihoods based on bioeconomy to share lessons learned and facilitate discussions in support of a further transformational shift.
• Draft (1) donor facing biodiversity economy proposal, designed to support broader resource mobilisation efforts and outreach.
• Draft (1) one specific baseline report (three-pager) to inform Vanishing Treasures project sequel design, including: - Data and stakeholder analysis - Priority activities and partners identified - Draft problem tree, theory of change, log frame outline developed - Opportunities for scaling bioeconomy outlined
• As part of an overall effort to support a wider transformational shift and through further conducted internal and external consultations develop a baseline in support of future programmatic work in support of UNEP PoW/Nature Action Subprogramme (e.g. in support of possible sequel to Vanishing Treasures project, the biodiversity economy UNEP project document and UNEP’s efforts towards GBF 9 and 18) including initiatives focused on applying innovative economic tools to enable an equitable economic transition based on resilient livelihoods and sustainable use of biodiversity.

• Project management
• Organizational partnership building
• Stakeholder coordination
• Cross-sectoral partnership building and collaboration
• Communication and presentation
• Planning and organizing
• Writing and reporting

• An advanced university degree (MSc level or higher) in the social, behavioral or management sciences is required. A first level degree with additional two years of qualifying experience maybe accepted in lieu of advanced degree.