Technical Advisor - Marine Ecosystem

WEC Background information

UNOPS Water and Energy Cluster (WEC) supports the design and management of multi-stakeholder initiatives by providing services in financial and grant management, procurement, human resources, and project management.The cluster has supported projects in the areas of water resource management, climate change adaptation, mitigation and transparency, energy access and distribution and environmental conservation under the Paris Agreement. 

The WEC has also supported operations and financial management services, in Vienna, the rest of the ECR region and beyond.The main partners include UN agencies, bilateral agreements (with the Nordics, Germany, and Italy), the Green Climate Fund and several NGOs (such as CIFF and CWF).

The objective of this regional project is to achieve adaptive ecosystem-based management of the YSLME by fostering long-term sustainable institutional, policy and financial arrangements for effective ecosystem-based management of the Yellow Sea. The YSLME SAP contains eleven regional management targets to sustain the ecosystem carrying capacity up to 2020. From 2017-2019, the two countries updated the TDA and the causal chain analysis and proposed recommendations for addressing persistent and emerging transboundary environmental problems. Based on the updated TDA, the project teams in both countries are developing management actions in accordance with the SAP update plan adopted at the fourth interim YSLME Commission Council meeting held in November 2019 in Jeju, RO Korea. The process of SAP updates will be country-driven and in close consultation with six Regional Working Groups (RWGs) on assessment and monitoring, habitat conservation, fish stocks, governance, pollution reduction, and sustainable mariculture. The Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the RWGs will help facilitate national consultation under the respective National Working Groups (NWGs). The updated SAP is expected to be approved by the 5th YSLME Council meeting scheduled in July 2020. Going in parallel with the SAP update is establishing the post-YSLME II project regional governance mechanism. Currently, the PR China and RO Korea target to sign an MOU to establish the post-YSLME II Project mechanism by the end of June 2020.

Objectives:

The objectives underlying the proposed consultancy are to coordinate and consolidate into a regional YSLME SAP through facilitating consensus building on updated YSLME SAP objectives, targets, and management actions 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.

Functional Responsibilities

1. In close consultation with national experts and the PMO, finalize the draft SAP framework by consolidating objectives, targets and management actions and performance indicators and proposed monitoring and evaluation indicators that national experts submitted

2. Process-wise, the framework will be submitted to the regional SAP workshop planned to be held in May 2020 prior to participation with national experts from the PR China and RO Korea for comprehensive review and feedback

3. Prepare the second draft of SAP taking into account the inputs from the national experts and the PMO comments, together with any gaps addressed for further review

4. Prepare the final version of SAP with assistance from PMO to the 5th meeting of ICC scheduled to be held in July 2020 for review for their approval

This work will largely comprise of desktop research, coordination with RWGs in particular RWG on Governance, and email consultations, and one face-to-face meeting with stakeholders 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 that occurred during the bridging period, which could be a core component. Ideally, the consultant will attend the 5th ICC meeting for consultations and also the SAP Update workshop to facilitate with assistance from PMO. 

• Postgraduate or another advanced university degree (at least MSc. or equivalent) in the area of environmental and natural sciences, water governance, implementation of good ocean programs and systems or any other relevant disciplines required.

Experience

• At least 8 years of professional work experience in developing good ocean programs and systems required

• Previous experiences in SAP development/update in GEF IW projects required;

• A good understanding of the strategic planning of GEF LME projects; previous IW project formulation/implementation experience is highly desirable

• Experience in proposal development or implementation in the field of environmental management and livelihood improvement and natural resource management in developing countries, ideally in an Asian States context preferred;

• Demonstrated experience in capacity development initiatives, notably at the systemic and institutional levels preferred;

• Extensive conceptual and practical knowledge of UNDP/GEF IW operating and strategic principles desirable;

• Experience of working and collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders from diverse institutions and levels including governments, civil society, and communities;

• Demonstrated ability in analytical and report drafting work in a concise format and of high quality desirable;

• Extensive experience analyzing data and preparing analytical reports;

• Experience working in PR China and/or RO Korea an advantage.

Language skills

• Fluency in English with an ability to produce high-quality reports in English. 
• Chinese or Korean language proficiency would be an added advantage.

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• 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.