Result of Service

Report on the state of knowledge of the impacts of deep-seabed mineral exploitation activities on migratory species, their prey and their ecosystems, including identifying knowledge gaps that should be addressed, for consideration by the CMS Scientific Council.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is a global intergovernmental treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats. Numerous additional intergovernmental instruments on migratory species conservation have been adopted under the broad umbrella of CMS, which are supported by the CMS Secretariat. The CMS Secretariat also provides the Secretariat for the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS). In addition, two regional agreements on migratory species adopted under CMS have their own Secretariats which are co-located with the CMS Secretariat in Bonn- the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and the Agreement on the Conservation of European Populations of Bats (EUROBATS). The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. 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. In the present context, UNEP provides the administrative functions for the CMS, AEWA and EUROBATS Secretariats. This post is administered in the CMS Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. The CMS Secretariat is seeking a to compile and analyze available information, including responses received by the Secretariat on CMS Notification 2024/013, and prepare a concise report with appropriate references and recommendations on the state of knowledge of the impacts of deep-seabed mineral exploitation activities on migratory species, their prey and their ecosystems, including identifying knowledge gaps that should be addressed, and other recommendations as outlined above and as requested in CMS Decisions 14.52 a). Under this assignment, the consultant will, based on desktop research, develop a report covering: a) State of knowledge of the impacts of deep-seabed mineral exploitation activities on migratory species, their prey and their ecosystems. b) Knowledge gaps that should be addressed. c) Recommendations related to EIA and other potential practical aspects of deep-seabed mineral exploitation activities’ management and mitigation. Timeline: • Share preliminary draft with the Secretariat for comments by 15 May 2025 (to ensure the work is progressing in the desired direction). • Based on the comments, submit the first draft by 15 June. • Following review of the first draft report by the Secretariat by 1 July, submit a final draft by 31 July 2025. • Assist in potential further revisions based on comments from the CMS Scientific Council.

Qualifications/special skills

Post graduate degree in environmental sciences, or in another field relevant to the subject is required; or equivalent experience. Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience is required.

Languages

Fluency in English and excellent writing skills are required.

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.