Organizational Setting:

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 works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division engages with governments and other partners to develop and promote ecosystem-based solutions for sustainable development. This position is in the Biodiversity, People and Landscapes Unit of the Ecosystems Division and will contribute to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, Multi-Country Mountain Flagship Project, reporting to the Programme Management Officer in liaison with the UN Decade Multi-Country Mountain Flagship Focal Point for the Virunga Region. The Multi-country Mountain Flagship (UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration) showcases initiatives in three diverse regions across 5 countries (Kyrgyzstan, Rwanda, Serbia and Uganda) that are making mountain ecosystems more resilient so they can support both people and unique upland wildlife. Uganda and Rwanda have protected the mountain habitats of endangered mountain gorillas, working closely with local communities. That work has helped gorilla numbers double in the last 30 years, and supported a vibrant tourism industry, which has created economic opportunities for local communities. Alongside the protection of prime gorilla habitat, restoration work in the region has included the rehabilitation of more than 1,000 ha in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Exotic trees have been removed so that native species can return, and there are plans to restore more habitat in the mountain gorilla range. UNEP’s engagement in the Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL) is expanding such as within the context of the Vanishing Treasures project or the Multi-Country Flagship under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Within the context of the Multi-Country Mountain Flagship, support under the UN Decade has been received to help to overcome the current lack of funding needed to support upscaling of the restoration interventions through increased capacity in resource mobilization. This creates the need for a dedicated resource person to lead the development of a series of restoration focused project proposals for the GVL under the guidance of the Programme Management Officer and focal point for the GVL.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the guidance of the Programme Management Officer, responsible for the project :“Multi-Country Mountain Flagship” under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the consultant will carry out the following activities:

1. Review relevant technical and strategic documents, including:
   • WWF corridor and restoration studies for the GVL
   • GVTC Transboundary Strategic Plan (2024–2033)
   • UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration implementation guidance
   • National restoration strategies and restoration commitments (e.g. AFR100, NDCs, NBSAPs)
   • Engage with the other consultants hired under the framework of this project for inputs.
2. Engage stakeholders to confirm proposal concepts, validate geographic and thematic focus areas, and ensure ownership and alignment (e.g. UNEP, WWF, GVTC, UWA, RDB, ICCN, national restoration focal points) through consultations.
3. Identify appropriate funding opportunities, including:
   • GEF-9 (especially restoration-related integrated programs)
   • Green Climate Fund (GCF)
   • KfW, EU, USAID, and other bilateral donors
   • UN Decade aligned facilities or challenge funds
   • Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Fund
4. Develop at least two full project proposals, including:
   • One large-scale, multi-country proposal (USD 10–15M range), e.g. for corridor restoration and climate-resilient landscapes
   • One medium-scale proposal (USD 2–5M range), e.g. for targeted restoration near MGNP or VNP
5. Prepare standard proposal components, including:
   • Concept notes and/or full donor-specific proposals
   • Theory of Change and results frameworks
   • Budget estimates and resource mobilization strategy
   • Implementation arrangements and governance structure
   • Risk analysis and sustainability strategy
   • Alignment with UN Decade monitoring and reporting indicators
6. Package and submit donor-ready materials, including:
   • 2-page project briefs for outreach
   • Donor-facing presentation deck

Reporting lines:

The consultant will report to the Programme Management Officer, responsible for the project: “Multi-Country Mountain Flagship” under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and outputs delivered by the consultant will be evaluated by the supervisor in liaison with the UN Decade Multi-Country Mountain Flagship Focal Point for the Virunga Region.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced University degree (master's degree or equivalent) in environmental science, natural resource management, development studies, or related fields is required. A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree), combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. At least 7 years of experience developing successful project proposals for multilateral and bilateral donors (e.g. GEF, GCF, EU, USAID) is required. Demonstrated experience in ecosystem restoration, sustainable landscape management, or nature-based solutions is required. Experience working with government, NGO, and community stakeholders in East/Central Africa is desirable. Excellent proposal writing, budgeting, and sta

• Review relevant technical and strategic documents.
• Engage stakeholders to confirm proposal concepts, validate geographic and thematic focus areas, and ensure ownership and alignment through consultations.
• Identify appropriate funding opportunities.
• Develop at least two full project proposals.
• Prepare standard proposal components.
• Package and submit donor-ready materials.

• Excellent proposal writing.
• Budgeting.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Ecosystem restoration.
• Sustainable landscape management.
• Nature-based solutions.

• Advanced University degree (master's degree or equivalent) in environmental science, natural resource management, development studies, or related fields is required.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree), combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• At least 7 years of experience developing successful project proposals for multilateral and bilateral donors (e.g. GEF, GCF, EU, USAID) is required.
• Demonstrated experience in ecosystem restoration, sustainable landscape management, or nature-based solutions is required.
• Experience working with government, NGO, and community stakeholders in East/Central Africa is desirable.