OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Paris

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time) : 15/05/2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

In the framework of the 42 C/5 major programme and under the overall supervision of the Director of the Ecological and Earth Sciences Division (SC/EES) and the SC/EES/NBC Chief of Section and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist in charge, the consultant will support analytical and capacity-building activities on mangrove and glacier conservation. The work contributes to the objectives of the MangRes Project and UNESCO's engagement in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

1. Glacier Conservation Analysis in UNESCO Sites

• Develop a map of UNESCO-designated sites with glaciers and provide a list of sites and their glacier-covered areas.
• Draft a two-page summary in English on the main threats to glaciers in UNESCO-designated sites.
• Identify and document at least 10 good practices in glacier conservation (maximum one page per practice) based on desk research and expert interviews.

2.  Mangrove Conservation Analysis in UNESCO Sites

• Develop a GIS-based map showing the geographical distribution of mangrove ecosystems within these sites.
• Calculate mangrove extent (in hectares) in UNESCO-designated sites.
• Provide a map of the potential for mangrove restoration within these sites.
• Draft a two-page summary in English on the main threats to mangroves in UNESCO-designated sites.
• Identify and document at least 10 good practices in mangrove conservation and restoration (maximum one page per practice) based on desk research and expert interviews.
• Present the contribution of UNESCO-designated sites to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

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3. Mangrove conservation and restoration training courses

• Support the organization of two in-person training sessions and one Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on mangrove conservation and restoration. This includes:
• Identifying and liaising with mangrove specialists, restoration experts, and educators from Latin America, the Caribbean, and partnering institutions to serve as trainers or guest speakers.
• Contributing to the design and development of the MOOC module, including coordination of content creation, selection of multimedia materials (videos, case studies, readings),
• Drafting and reviewing the agenda and training programme for each in-person session and the MOOC, ensuring they reflect both theoretical and practical components, and that they are tailored to the needs of diverse target groups (local communities, students, professionals, decision-makers).
• Coordinating preparatory online meetings with trainers and technical contributors to refine the content and format of each training component.
• Supporting the promotion and outreach for the MOOC and on-site trainings to ensure broad participation, particularly from biosphere reserves and VLIR-UOS partner countries.

Long Description

4. Strengthening Scientific Cooperation within the MangRes project

• Prepare working protocols outlining objectives, roles, meeting calendar, and priority areas of work.
• Support the organization of bi-monthly scientific meetings, including agendas, and summary reports.
• Map scientific collaboration opportunities between Global South and North institutions (e.g., universities, research centers, biosphere reserves, and private sector actors engaged in Nature-based Solutions).
• Identify and facilitate exchanges among early-career researchers, such as short research visits, technical webinars, and co-publications.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Master's degree or equivalent in the field of ecological sciences, environmental sciences, or sustainable development.

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Work experience

• Experience working in and implementing international scientific programmes/projects.

Skills and competencies

• Good presentation skills to articulate ideas and design concepts in engaging proposals
• Ability to work within deadlines and adapt to feedback.
• Comfortable with working in a multicultural workplace, ability to work in a team to achieve shared objectives
• Familiarity with the UN system

Languages

• Excellent written and spoken English and Spanish.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Experience working in international scientific projects is desirable.

Knowledge of the MAB Programme and UNESCO Designated sites would be an asset.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should click on “Apply Now” and download and complete the Employment History form (Word document) in “Employment History Form / My Documents”. Before uploading the document, at the end of the Word document, please insert the extra pages with the following required information one combined file:

1.  Curriculum Vitae (CV): An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum 2 pages) stating details of educational qualifications, work experience including prior experience of similar 
2. Technical proposal:
   1. Short Approach and Methodology to the consultancy (maximum 3 pages) identifying the specific components of the TOR and how the intended objectives and/or deliverables shall be addressed detailing progress, and timeline..
   2. A list of past similar examples of equivalent or comparable assignments drafted by the applicant with hyperlinks to access such documents if they are available online, or samples of such documents if they are only available offline.
3. Financial proposal in US dollars with a budget breakdown.

Application should be done through Success Factor only. In case you are unable to attach the required documents in the system, you may send an email to sc.recruitment@unesco.org quoting the reference (22494) in the subject line of your e-mail.

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