Regional Biodiversity Specialist Consultant, Panama City, Panama

## Regional Biodiversity Specialist Consultant, Panama City, Panama - Organization:UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme The consultant will facilitate the effective implementation of UNEP's Nature Action Subprogramme in Latin America and the Caribbean through technical coordination, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, knowledge management, intergovernmental support, programme development and resource mobilization. Expected results include strengthened regional collaboration on biodiversity and ecosystem management, enhanced implementation of biodiversity-related regional and global commitments, effective technical advice to the Forum of Ministers of Environment and its relevant working groups, implementation of the Regional Action Plan on Ecosystem Restoration, improved coordination of nature-related activities across UNEP divisions, and the development of project concepts and partnerships that contribute to the delivery of UNEP's Programme of Work in the region. Specific tasks and responsibilities 1. Serve as technical focal point/advisor for the Nature Action Subprogramme for the Latin America and the Caribbean Office. - Serve as regional technical focal point for biodiversity- and ecosystem-related matters under UNEP's Nature Action Subprogramme in Latin America and the Caribbean. - Contribute to the implementation of the UNEP Nature Action Subprogramme in Latin America and the Caribbean, including the Regional Action Plan on Ecosystem Restoration. - Participate in the planning, programming and implementation activities of the regional office. - Provide technical advice to the appointed Regional Nature Action Subprogramme Coordinator for nature-related activities led by UNEP's technical divisions. - Contribute to the programme development, implementation and resource mobilization efforts for the Nature Action Subprogramme in the region. - Contribute to the co-creation and development of concept notes and project proposals related to the implementation of UNEP's Programme of Work under the Nature Action Subprogramme. - Contribute to the collection, curation and reporting of information related to UNEP's nature-related activities in the region. - Contribute to political, technical and policy analyses related to biodiversity and ecosystem management undertaken by the regional office. - In close collaboration with subregional and country offices, support the identification of biodiversity-related needs, priorities and opportunities among Member States in the region. - Establish, strengthen and maintain partnerships with UN agencies, biodiversity-related MEA Secretariats, governments, academic institutions, technical centres, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders. - Maintain regular communication and collaboration with UN agencies and biodiversity-related MEA Secretariats to support coordinated implementation of activities in the region, taking into consideration regional priorities and opportunities for collaboration. - Participate in and, where appropriate, lead field missions, including providing guidance to consultants, government officials and other stakeholders, and preparing mission reports and summaries. - Contribute substantively to consultative processes, meetings, conferences and workshops by proposing agenda items, identifying participants, preparing background documents and presentations, and supporting follow-up actions. - Undertake outreach activities, organize and deliver training workshops and seminars, and make presentations on assigned topics. - Contribute to the administrative and operational processes related to programme delivery. 2. Collaborate with the Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean (the Forum) - Facilitate the implementation of biodiversity-related decisions of the Forum, including the Regional Action Plan for Ecosystem Restoration. - Provide technical advice to the appointed Regional Nature Action Subprogramme Coordinator in coordinating and facilitating meetings and activities of the Biodiversity Working Group, the Restoration and Resilience Task Force and the Amazon Task Force on Ecosystem Restoration. - Provide technical guidance and coordination support for the implementation of activities of these groups, with particular emphasis on ecosystem restoration, bioeconomy, biodiversity finance and related themes. - Contribute to the substantive and logistical preparation of activities of the Forum of Ministers, including Ministerial Meetings, Meetings of High-Level Officials and other related events. - Prepare technical briefs, background documents, presentations and meeting reports to support the work of the Forum and its associated mechanisms. - Facilitate coordination and communication among Member States, partners and stakeholders involved in the implementation of Forum decisions related to biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. 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. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO) support the implementation of global programs in the regions by initiating, coordinating and catalyzing regional and sub-regional cooperation and action in response to environmental problems and emergencies. The consultant will provide technical expertise to UNEP´s activities in Latin America and the Caribbean to help deliver the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). As such, the incumbent will help engage and promote collaboration across a wide range of actors, including government, UN system, private sector and academia, in the context of UNEP’s activities related to the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of biodiversity in the region. The role includes working with subregional offices and country offices in the identification of biodiversity-related needs, priorities and opportunities in LAC; supporting the Ecosystems Division (and other divisions as relevant) in the implementation of UNEP's projects and initiatives in the region; promoting and facilitating the activities of Nature Action Subprogramme related working groups of the Forum of Ministers of Environment of LAC; supporting the implementation of the Regional Action Plan on Ecosystem Restoration; participating and contributing to the cocreation of nature-related project concepts and proposals; and participating and contributing in other activities of the LAC Office as needed. The consultant will serve as regional technical focal point for biodiversity and ecosystems under the Nature Action Subprogramme, supporting programme development and implementation, stakeholder engagement, intergovernmental coordination, knowledge management, resource mobilization, and the integration of biodiversity and ecosystem considerations across UNEP's work in the region. The incumbent will be supervised by the appointed Regional Nature Action Subprogramme Coordinator. The consultant will be home-based, and will be expected to comply with dedication of 40 hours per week, from Monday to Friday. Qualifications/special skills Academic Requirements: - A bachelor's degree in biodiversity, environmental sciences, sustainable development, management, international relations, or a related field is required. - A Master’s degree in biodiversity, environmental sciences, sustainable development, management,