UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme

Job Title: Research Assistant (Individual Contractor)
Job Opening ID: 225645
Job Network: Economic, Social and Development
Job Family: Environmental Affairs
Category and Level: Consultants, CON
Duty Station: Montreal, Canada
Department/Office: United Nations Environment Programme
Date Posted: January 26, 2024
Deadline: February 10, 2024

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Result of Service:
The individual contractor in this role will play a pivotal part in providing technical, organizational, and communication support to the Secretariat’s work on the sixth review of the effectiveness of the financial mechanism of the Convention. They will contribute to the determination of funds necessary to assist developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This involves implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework over the ninth replenishment period of the Global Environment Facility. UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme

Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme

Work Location:
Montreal, Canada

Expected Duration:
Six months with the possibility of extension

Duties and Responsibilities:

Organizational Setting:
The United Nations Environment Programme administers the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Montreal, Canada. The CBD, with 196 contracting Parties, aims to conserve biological diversity, ensure sustainable use, and facilitate the fair sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. Protocols under the CBD include the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing. The recently adopted Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework guides the Convention and Protocols towards 2030 and beyond. UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme

Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the guidance of the Acting Executive Secretary and the Director of the Implementation Support Division, the individual contractor will:

1. Support Studies: Assist in the implementation of decision 15/15, involving two studies on funds assessment and the sixth quadrennial review of the financial mechanism’s effectiveness. UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme
2. Consultations and Information Compilation: Facilitate consultations with experts and information providers, especially in developing countries, and compile relevant information. Review reports by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), its Independent Evaluation Office, and other stakeholders. UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme
3. National Reports Review: Scrutinize national reports by CBD Parties to identify information pertinent to the studies. Analyze financial needs in national biodiversity strategies, action plans, and finance plans prepared by GEF-eligible countries. UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme
4. Data Compilation and Analysis: Compile and analyze supplementary information from GEF-eligible and other relevant Parties on funding needs for Convention and Protocols implementation. UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme
5. Administrative Tasks: Schedule work and related meetings, prepare minutes and summaries, organize and maintain correspondence, and conduct a desk review of documents and literature. UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme

Qualifications/Special Skills:

• High school diploma or equivalent (University degree in social sciences with analytical courses in international development/relations desirable).

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Additional Information:

• Travel: Travel may be required.
• Special Conditions: The individual contractor must work onsite in the CBD Secretariat Office in Montreal, Canada. Local recruitment: Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents or have permission to work in Canada. UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme

No Fee:
The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

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In conclusion, the role of Research Assistant as an Individual Contractor within the United Nations Environment Programme presents a unique and impactful opportunity for professionals in the field of environmental affairs. This position, with its Job Opening ID 225645, plays a crucial part in supporting the Secretariat’s efforts concerning the sixth review of the financial mechanism’s effectiveness under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Protocols. UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme

The Convention, in force since 1993 with 196 contracting Parties, signifies a global commitment to the conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair benefit-sharing from genetic resources. With the recent adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022, the CBD aims to guide its Parties towards achieving these objectives by 2030 and beyond. In this context, the responsibilities outlined for the Research Assistant underscore the pivotal role they will play in implementing decision 15/15 and contributing to the comprehensive assessments outlined in its annexes III and IV. UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme

The duties and responsibilities outlined for the position encapsulate a broad spectrum of tasks, emphasizing collaboration with experts and stakeholders, information compilation, and data analysis. The Research Assistant will engage in critical activities such as reviewing reports by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and relevant organizations, analyzing national reports submitted by CBD Parties, and synthesizing supplementary information on funding needs for biodiversity-related initiatives. Administrative tasks, including scheduling, minute preparation, and correspondence organization, further highlight the multifaceted nature of this role. UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme

The qualifications and skills sought for the position, including a high school diploma or equivalent and preferably a university degree in social sciences, underpin the importance of a robust educational background. Fluency in oral and written English is a prerequisite, reflecting the international working environment of the United Nations, with knowledge of another UN language being an asset. This language proficiency is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the diverse and global context of the CBD Secretariat. UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme

The conclusion of this comprehensive job description underscores the significant impact that an individual in this role can have on global biodiversity conservation efforts. The emphasis on technical, organizational, and communication support reflects the multifaceted nature of the responsibilities, requiring a well-rounded and proactive individual. The collaborative setting, under the guidance of the Acting Executive Secretary and the Director of the Implementation Support Division, ensures that the Research Assistant will contribute to the overarching objectives of the CBD. UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme

In essence, this conclusion invites qualified and motivated individuals to consider applying for this position, recognizing the opportunity it presents to make a meaningful contribution to environmental conservation on a global scale. The United Nations Environment Programme, through its Secretariat in Montreal, Canada, continues to be at the forefront of international efforts to address biodiversity challenges, and this role stands as a crucial component in achieving these collective goals. Aspiring candidates are encouraged to submit their applications, aligning their skills and expertise with the noble mission of the CBD, and becoming part of a dedicated team working towards a sustainable and biodiverse future. UNEP Invites Applicants | Research Assistant at the UN Environment Programme

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