Expert on Updating the Transboundary diagnostic analysis and Strategic Action Programme for the Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem

UNDP/GEF is providing assistance through UNOPS to countries bordering Yellow Sea in support of their efforts to address among others the increasing trends of depleting fishery stocks, loss of coastal wetland, land and sea-based pollution and implementation of the Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem Strategic Action Programme (YSLME SAP) adopted in 2009 by China and RO Korea and supported by DPR Korea. One of the assistance programs to implement the SAP is the UNDP/GEF/UNOPS project entitled Implementing the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem: Restoring Ecosystem Goods and Services and Consolidation of a Long-term Regional Environmental Governance Framework, or the UNDP/GEF YSLME Phase II Project. The project was launched in July 2017.

The objective of this regional project is to achieve adaptive ecosystem-based management of the Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem bordered by China, RO Korea and DPR Korea by fostering long-term sustainable institutional, policy and financial arrangements for effective ecosystem-based management of the Yellow Sea. The YSLME SAP proposes eleven regional management targets to sustain the ECC.  These targets primarily address a particular ecosystem service, with the understanding that achievement of a target will also benefit other ecosystem services.  These targets are set using current scientific understanding and most are quantitatively measurable.  Under ecosystem-based management, scientific monitoring is essential to assess the impact of the management actions and management must be adaptive to respond to new knowledge.

Several characteristics make the YSLME SAP unique compared to other SAPs.  Firstly, the YSLME SAP employs the ecosystem-based approach rather than the traditional sector approach.  Secondly, the SAP provides the concrete and measurable targets and the comprehensive management actions to achieve them.  Lastly, the SAP proposes mechanisms for regional co-ordination and co-operation, including the YSLME Commission.

The Yellow Sea (YS) ecosystem and its ECC will change in the future, for better or worse. If all the pressures exerted on the ecosystem continue, the YS will degrade and its ECC will decline. However, if all the management actions proposed in this SAP are implemented and regional management targets met, the YS will improve its capacity to supply its provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting services and the YS would remain a living, vital, productive and healthy sea.

At the 1st meeting of the MSTP and ICC, the meeting approved to evaluate NSAP implementation and update of NSAP 2018-2020.  The 1st meeting of the RWG on Governance endorsed the terms of reference for the review of implementation of the NSAP 2009-2016.  At the 2nd meeting of the MSTP and ICC, the meeting approved to implement NSAP by the two countries as a contribution to the TDA update process by taking consideration of practical need for participating countries to focus on the development of SAP 2020-2030 as a subsidiary document. In Outcome 1.1 of Component 1, “TDA and SAP revised and adopted as a subsidiary document of the MOU or joint declaration” is addressed as one of targets end of Project in 2019. Review of the NSAP implementation in PR China is completed and is ongoing in the RO Korea. It is expected that the two review reports will be consolidated into a single document to present to stakeholders in particular the two governments an overall picture of the status of implementation of the actions, achievements and the environmental status and institutional developments as contained in YSLME SAP.  

Updating the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis and Startegic Action Program (TDA and SAP) is integral to efforts of the project to establish the long-term regional environmental governance framework, which is the YSLME Commission. The process of TDA and SAP updates will go in parallel with the development of legal documents and trust fund to institutionalize the YSLME Commission currently supported by the Ocean Governance Specialist and the Sustainable Financing Specialist under the guidance of the Task Forces of Rules of Governance and Sustainable Financing.

The process of TDA and SAP updates will go in close consultation with six regional working groups on assessment and monitoring, habitat conservation, fish stocks, governance, pollution reduction and sustainable mariculture. The Chairs and Vice Chairs of the RWGs will also help facilitate national consultation under the respective NWGs at national level. The updated TDA and SAP will be approved by the YSLME Commission formally established through a signed political declaration. It is expected that the whole process will take about 12 months.  Current project will terminate on 31 December 2019 and a second extension is anticipated in order for the SAP to be developed to serve as the mission of the YSLME Partnership. 

The objective underlying the proposed consultancy is to facilitate consensus building on updated YSLME TDA and SAP among members of the Yellow Sea Partnership and set the cooperation framework and mission among different stakeholders in a bid to restore the ecosystem carrying capacity of the YSLME.

1. Prepare a discussion paper illustrating the steps, milestones, timeframe and actions and roles of different RWGs in finalising the TDA and updating the SAP for review and consensus building among the stakeholders at the third meeting of the Interim Commission Council, tentatively to be held in late January.
2. Consolidate the review reports of NSAP prepared by PR China and RO Korea into an updated YSLME TDA in consultation with RWGs and with assistance from PMO for approval at the 3rd Interim Commission Council. Gaps in the 11 regional targets and technical actions in the SAP will be identified in particular on social and economic aspects, and missing information will be collected or synthesized and integrated into the updated TDA through mobilization of additional consultancies by the PMO.
3. In close consultation with RWG on Governance and using the MSTP as the consultation mechanism, prepare a draft updated SAP framework for review and soliciting inputs to improve the proposed objectives, targets and actions. Process-wise, the framework will be submitted to the 3rd meeting of RWG on Governance for comprehensive review and feedback, and then to the MSTP for review and inputs from Chairs of other regional working groups. It is envisaged that the draft report on SAP updates will be presented to the 4th meeting of MSTP/ICC for their feedback.
4. Submit the draft final SAP taking into account of the inputs from the six RWGs for review at the RWG-G and final version for approval by the 4th YSLME Commission Council.

This work will largely comprise of desktop research, coordination with six RWGs in particular RWG on Governance, and email consultations, face-to-face meetings with stakeholders in the Meeting of RWG on Governance if necessary. The work will develop SAP by updating with information on various areas in line with results from the NSAPs, including identification of gaps occurred during bridging period, which could be core component. Ideally the consultant will attend the 2019 ICC meetings for consultations and also the meetings of RWG on Governance to present.

• A good understanding of strategic planning of GEF LME projects
• Advanced university education at environmental and natural sciences with expertise in the area of ocean governance in developing good ocean programs and systems with at least 7 years of relevant professional experience is required.
• Previous experiences in developing TDA and SAP is required.
• An outstanding analytical and program development and management capabilities.
• Ability to produce high quality reports in English is required.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

• Contract type: International Individual Contract Agreement
• Contract level: IICA-3
• Contract duration: Short-Term ICA - spread across 12 months
  
  

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.