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. 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). UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

1. Purpose At the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), held in Montreal, Canada in December 2022, the Parties to the Convention adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) along with other important decisions. The KM-GBF provides a comprehensive framework to achieve the global vision of a world “living in harmony with nature” by 2050 and the mission to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. The core of the Framework consists of four overarching goals for 2050 and 23 action-oriented targets to be achieved by 2030, focused on accelerating our actions towards conservation, protection and restoration of nature. Following the adoption of the KM-GBF, all Parties committed to setting national targets for its implementation, with national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) to be revised and updated. There is now an urgent need for Parties to the Convention to accelerate their efforts in the implementation of the KM-GBF, including through the updating their NBSAPs. The China Trust Fund Project – Accelerated implementation by countries of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) through South-South cooperation in alignment with the Action Initiative for KMGBF (hereinafter “China Trust Fund Project”) aims to contribute to implementation of the KM-GBF through building the capacity of countries to implement it, whilst facilitating knowledge sharing, networking and south-south cooperation. The Biodiversity Expert Consultant will provide technical expertise to UNEP´s Nature Action Subprogramme to execute the China Trust Fund Project in close collaboration with UNEP Ecosystems Division and key stakeholders. The consultant will contribute to advancing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, with a particular focus on fostering alignment among UNEP initiatives and platforms, such as the Forum of Ministers of Environment of LAC, to promote coordinated action and enhance impact. This consultancy is expected to work closely with another consultancy focused on organizing consultations, workshops and a high-level event to support stakeholder engagement and capacity-building in the region. The incumbent will work remotely, home-based, and will be supervised by the Regional Director and Representative of UNEP LACO.

Academic Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, biodiversity conservation, ecology, international development, political sciences, or closely related field is required.

• A master’s degree in environmental sciences, conservation, ecology, international development or politics, or closely related field is required. Professional experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in biodiversity, environmental governance and policies, project planning and implementation in biodiversity and/or environment is required.

• Experience with implementing projects at national or regional levels is desirable.

• Experience in the United Nations system or other international organizations is desirable.