Result of Service

The ultimate result of this service is (i) the design and development of a MedProgramme data management and visualization framework linked with other existing environmental data management frameworks under the MAP system (i.e. InfoMAP system); (ii) development of environmental indicators under the MAP reporting systems as well as other relevant international reporting frameworks; (iii) and communicating results in a clear and concise manner through the combination of multiple visualization tools.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

General Information The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional levels. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. United Nation’s Environment 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. This consultancy assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) – MedProgramme Coordinating Unit (MedPCU), Athens, Greece in the framework of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme): “Enhancing Environmental Security” (GEF ID 9607), and Child Project 4.1 “Mediterranean Sea Large Marine Ecosystem Environment and Climate Regional Support Project (GEF ID 9686). The MedProgramme represents the first GEF programmatic multi-focal area initiative in the Mediterranean Sea aiming to operationalize priority actions to reduce major transboundary environmental stresses in its coastal areas while strengthening climate resilience and water security and improving the health and livelihoods of coastal populations. The MedProgramme is implemented in nine beneficiary countries sharing the Mediterranean basin: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco and Tunisia. It involves a wide spectrum of developmental and societal sectors, ranging from banking institutions, the private sector, governmental and non-governmental bodies, industry, research, media, and various other organizations. It builds on the work of UNEP/MAP and previous GEF investments in the region which have enriched the knowledge on the Mediterranean environment and unravelled the implications of climate change and variability; strengthened countries’ mutual trust, cooperation and common purpose; consolidated the partnership among countries, UN bodies, civil society organizations, bilateral donors and the European Union (EU); and tested on the ground the feasibility and effectiveness of technical and policy instruments aimed at addressing major present and future threats to environmental sustainability and climate related impacts. The GEF-UNEP Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme) addresses critical environmental challenges in the Mediterranean region. It supports the UNEP/MAP Medium-term Strategy 2022-2027 by implementing priority actions to reduce transboundary stresses in coastal areas, strengthen climate resilience, and improve water security and livelihoods. The multisector Programme focuses on four main objectives: (i) reducing land-based coastal and marine pollution from harmful chemicals and wastes, and nutrients; (ii) restoring and stabilizing coastal zone freshwater resources, habitats and ecosystem functions; (iii) building coastal resilience to the expected impacts climate change and variability with focus on key strategic resources (coastal aquifers, wetlands); and (iv) consolidating biodiversity protection frameworks. The program is driven by a portfolio of eight Child Projects. At the regional level, the MedProgramme supports updating the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA), harmonizing monitoring through the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP), fostering regional cooperation, and adopting Mediterranean-wide environmental standards. National-level interventions include hotspot pollution reduction, integrated marine protected area systems, and climate-resilient policies enhancing water security and coastal sustainability. Key outcomes include expanded marine and coastal areas under effective management, measurable reductions in harmful pollutants (POPs, Mercury), and strengthened collective management of transboundary aquifers. The program also aims to reduce habitat loss, improve water security, and foster public-private investments in modern wastewater and pollution control technologies. Enhanced monitoring systems will help littoral states track progress and environmental trends effectively. In this context, Child Project 4.1 complements and supports MedProgramme’s projects to maximize their effectiveness by providing opportunities for south-south learning, disseminating best practices, and developing portfolio-wide communication strategies. Tasks and responsibilities 1) Prepare a detailed workplan and timetable for implementation of the consultancy assignment and submit to MedPCU. 2) Provide comments and propose suggestions for improvement of the 1st version of the MedProgramme Dashboard, including for its layout, taking into consideration: a. The UNEP/MAP Data Policy; b. Available data and information produced by the Child Projects in view of their utilization in the MedProgramme data management system and their interoperability; and c. Available and accessible data and information relevant to the MedProgramme under the UNEP/MAP reporting systems (e.g. IMAP InfoSystem, BCRS, etc.) and other international and regional reporting frameworks (SDGs, Copernicus, EMODNet, etc.) for utilization in MedProgramme data management. 3) Develop activities for the MedProgramme data management system. Planned activities should: a. Ensure availability and linkage of data produced by the Child Projects to other existing environmental data management frameworks under the MAP system with the aim to visualize MedProgramme progress to impacts in a consistent and effective manner. b. Ensure that data storage and usage principles, rules and protocols for restricted and public datasets, indicated in the UNEP/MAP data policy are applied across the MedProgramme and its Child Projects. 4) Assist MedPCU and the executing partners of the Child Projects to implement a standardized collection, elaboration, harmonization and publication on the KMS framework for data produced or collected, including by preparing Data Management Plan. 5) Support MedPCU in the collection of data from the Child Projects, in the elaboration, harmonization and publication of those data into the MedProgramme database, in coordination with InfoRAC to ensure consistency with MAP processes. 6) Harmonize and index data collected under UNEP/MAP reporting frameworks in view of their possible utilization in the framework of the MedProgramme Knowledge Management System, in particular: a. Detect anomalies, and inconsistencies in UNEP/MAP/IMAP reported data and standardize data in compliance with the relevant guidelines. b. Analyze trends in pollution, and marine litter. c. Develop dashboards, charts, and/or GIS maps visualizations to highlight key findings and visualize environmental trends to be potentially displayed in the MedProgramme Dashboard. 7) Coordinate work with the MedPCU for design and production of visualization tools and products, combining implementation progress data; data available on the MedProgramme Dashboard; and data from UNEP/MAP reporting frameworks in order to showcase progress to impact (story maps, pie charts, graph charts, trend line charts, and evidence stories, etc.) 8) Coordinate work with InfoRAC to enhance compliance of the MedProgramme data management framework with the adopted MAP Data Policy as well as the interoperability and linkages with MAP systems (IMAP, MAP KMS), including collection and integration of data sets. 9) Prepare results of data analyses, as appropriate, for presentation during the Child Project 4.1 Steering Committee Meetings and the Annual Stocktaking Meetings. 10) Contribute to preparation of quarterly progress reports and PIRs for Child Project 4.1. 11) Contribute to the preparation of a report on MedProgramme progress to impacts to be updated quarterly. 12) Hand-over the data management component of the knowledge management system to InfoRAC and address any issues that might arise.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in data science, analytics, computer science, statistics, information systems, mathematics or a related field is required. Experience: o A minimum of 5 years of demonstrable experience in data elaboration, analysis, visualization and project delivery within a complex delivery system, e.g. collaborating with multiple institutions and organizations as well as governments, is required. o Experience in environmental data management, i.e., the ability to analyse, model and interpret quantitative data using the latest efficient software, including GIS and other statistical packages for analysing datasets is required. o Knowledge of the GEF projects indicators-based monitoring and evaluation frameworks is desirable. o Working experience within the Mediterranean region/ Barcelona Convention UNEP/MAP system is desirable. o Working experience in data management related to marine and coastal environment is desirable.

Languages

Languages: o Fluency (both oral and written) and excellent writing skills in English are required. o Working knowledge of French and/or Arabic is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.