Result of Service

• Organization of a meeting of the Carpathian Convention Working Group on Sustainable Forest Management and follow up activities • Contribution to the development and implementation of the project related to Ukraine and other Carpathian projects • Provided guidance on stakeholders engagement in the Carpathians, particularly in Ukraine • Contribution to organization of other Carpathia Convention meetings • Contribution to drafting relevant background documents and communication activities, as necessary.

Work Location

Vienna

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP has the mandate to keep the state of the global and regional environment under review, in order to inform decision making on the state and trends of our changing environment, and to foresee emerging environmental problems and threats, particularly those of a transboundary nature. The importance of mountain ecosystems and sustainable development of the mountainous areas as well as the challenges faced by mountain communities have been recognized in a number of international policy documents, such as Chapter 13 of Agenda 21 (1992), the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2003), and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN 2015), as well as numerous scientific publications. A number of processes and mechanisms for cooperation on protection and sustainable development of the mountainous regions have emerged, including regional cooperation efforts in the Caucasus and the Carpathian mountain region. The Vienna Programme Office was established in 2004 with the main purpose of acting as the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention. Moreover, the Office is UNEP’s European focal point for environmental cooperation with Central and South-Eastern European countries. It coordinates the delivery of UNEP’s programme of work in this part of Europe and liaises between UNEP and organizations based in Vienna and in the sub-region. The Carpathian Convention Secretariat promotes ratification and facilitates cooperation between signatory states, as well as other relevant international bodies and conventions. It furthermore encourages and supports research, communication and information exchange between partners, coordinates the preparation and implementation of the Convention’s work programme, prepares relevant documentation and supports further institutional development. The Carpathian Convention and Ukraine: Following the Ministerial Declaration of the Carpathian Convention on the impact of the war on the environment in Ukraine and the need for cooperation and assistance, which was adopted at the Carpathian Ministerial Conference held on 21-22 November 2022 in Rzeszow, Poland, the Carpathian Convention COP7 adopted a set of measures to address the environmental consequences of the war’s direct and indirect impacts on the Carpathians. These measures propose actions to be undertaken within the Carpathian Convention framework with potential support from the Parties and stakeholders of the Convention. The Carpathian Convention Working Group on Sustainable Forest Management Article 7. of the Carpathian Convention on Forestry, along with the related Protocol on Sustainable Forest Management, provides the legal framework for the Convention and its Secretariat’s activities concerning the protection and sustainable management of the Carpathian forest. The recently adopted Carpathian Biodiversity Framework (CBF), which includes eight strategic objectives, seeks to create synergies with the Carpathian Convention’s various areas of work, as well as with regional, European, and global climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development goals and platforms. According to the second strategic objective of the CBF, Carpathian forests should be sustainably managed and protected by enhancing forest health and vitality, conserving and sustainably using forest biodiversity, identifying and protecting natural, especially virgin, forests, promoting the restoration of close-to-nature forests, and enhancing the forest-based sector’s role in mitigating climate change. The role of the UNEP– Vienna Programme Office The UNEP Vienna Programme Office continues to serve as the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention (UNEP Vienna) and will coordinate the implementation of relevant Ministerial Declarations and Carpathian Convention COP decisions, including the Carpathian Biodiversity Framework (CBF), as well as additional support activities for Ukraine. Furthermore, it will continue to strengthen cooperation with relevant stakeholders in the Carpathian region to facilitate the implementation of these initiatives. This position is in the Vienna Programme Office, Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention (SCC) of the Regional office for Europe, at the Vienna Duty Station and reports to the Head of Vienna Programme Office of UN Environment Programme. The consultant will collaborate the UNEP–Vienna Programme Office, Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention in providing guidance to its services, including in particular the activities related to support to Ukraine, sustainable forest management, stakeholders’ engagement, as well as relevant projects management, but not limited to: • contribution to project development and implementation related to providing support to Ukraine, as well as other Carpathian-related projects, such as NaturaConnect and LECA • contribution in stakeholders’ identification and engagement, particularly in Ukraine • preparation of relevant activities related for the Carpathian Convention Working Group on Sustainable Forest Management • contribution to organization of relevant meetings • contribution to drafting of relevant background documents • communication and dissemination activities, as necessary

Qualifications/special skills

A completed Master’s degree in sustainability sciences, environmental policy, environmental sciences, or a similar field is required. At least 1 year of experience in the field of policy analysis, management, and policy advocacy related to environment and sustainable development. Familiarity with nature protection system and management in Ukraine is required. Familiarity with stakeholders engagement and communication is required. Experience participating in Carpathian Convention activities is an asset.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in Ukrainian language is an asset.

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.