Job Description

Result of ServiceCapacity needs and priority assessment concerning capacities of Latin American States toward becoming parties to the BBNJ Agreement and implementing it, with a view to informing a regional Workshop for parliamentarians and government officials under the Project. Work LocationHome-based with possibility of travel (to be funded by the consultant). Expected durationThe duration of the contract will be 60 days within a 4-month period. Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: The Project “Promotion of a better understanding of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), in particular to strengthen capacities of developing States toward becoming parties to the BBNJ Agreement and implementing it” is a strategic partnership between the Office of Legal Affairs of the Secretariat of the United Nations, through its Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (the Division), and the European Union. The Project, implemented by the Division in the context of its capacity-building activities undertaken in response to General Assembly resolution 77/321, seeks to address critical capacity barriers at the regional and national levels in becoming parties to the Agreement and for its implementation. The Project, which is being implemented over two years, comprises three main activities, namely: (1) capacity needs and priority assessments with a view to informing the subsequent regional workshops; (2) regional workshops for parliamentarians and government officials of African and of Latin American and Caribbean States, and for Caribbean small island developing States; and (3) the publication of case studies on experiences of States in becoming parties to the Agreement. Further activities include communication and outreach. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the overall supervision of the Director of the Division and a Principal Legal Officer, the consultant will report directly to a Legal Officer, with a Senior Legal Officer as the second reporting officer. The Capacity Needs and Priority Assessment Consultant will conduct an assessment of needs and priorities of Latin American States (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela) concerning capacities toward becoming parties to the BBNJ Agreement and implementing it, with a view to informing, together with the assessment of capacity needs and priorities of Caribbean small island developing States that is currently being carried out under the Project, the regional Workshop for parliamentarians and government officials of Latin American and Caribbean States under the Project. The Capacity Needs and Priority Assessment Consultant is responsible for the effective and efficient performance of the following duties: 1. Develop a methodology for the capacity needs and priority assessment 2. Hold consultations with relevant stakeholders 3. Prepare a draft capacity needs and priority assessment report 4. Undertake a peer review process for the draft report 5. Finalize the report taking into account all relevant comments The deliverables will consist in the following: 1) A methodology for capacity needs and priority assessments; 2) A capacity needs and priorities assessment report for Latin American States. The completed capacity needs and priority assessment report should follow United Nations editorial style and guidelines. It is expected that the report would be approximately 50 pages (not including annexes) and include: • An executive summary; • Main body; • Prioritized list of needs and priorities, including 1) a summary of common capacity needs and priorities across the region, and 2) individualized lists for each State; • Full citations and references. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public law, international law, ocean affairs, law of the sea, sustainable development, environment or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with additional relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in ocean affairs and law of the sea in Latin America is required. Demonstrated experience in capacity needs and priority assessments in the Latin American States is required. Experience in ocean affairs or related fields is required. Working knowledge of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction is required. Experience in capacity-building and awareness-raising for parliamentarians is required. Experience in managing stakeholder relationships within projects is required. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages is required. Previous work experience in the UN system is highly desirable. LanguagesFor this position, fluency in both English and Spanish is required; fluency in French and/or Portuguese is desirable. Additional InformationIndividuals in active government service, including employees of institutions under direct management of a government, are not eligible for selection for this consultancy. No FeeTHE 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.

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