Biodiversity Panel Member, Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) to the Global Environment Facility (GEF)

Position description

Result of Service

Provide high-quality, relevant, and timely scientific and technical interdisciplinary advice on a range of strategic, thematic, and operational issues. Contribute to developing and implementing STAP’s annual work program, lead STAP’s work on biodiversity, and contribute to cross-cutting work. Deliver advisory reports, project reviews, and other advice as requested.

Expected duration

• 2 years.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) provides independent scientific and technical advice to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) on its policies, strategies, programs, and projects. It comprises a Chair, Panel Members (covering climate mitigation, climate adaptation, biodiversity, land degradation, international waters, and chemicals and waste), and senior advisors. It is supported by a Secretariat that provides substantive and operational assistance in delivering the Panel’s responsibilities. The roles and responsibilities of the STAP are set out in its Terms of Reference. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) hosts the STAP Secretariat on behalf of the GEF Partnership and acts as the liaison between the GEF and the STAP. The STAP Chair reports to the GEF Council. The STAP is seeking a Panel Member to lead its work on Biodiversity. This position requires an understanding of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the GEF Biodiversity Strategy, and the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) Programming Directions. Candidates should have outstanding academic and technical credentials, a passion for tackling global environmental and sustainable development challenges, and a demonstrated ability to work in an interdisciplinary manner that integrates environmental science, social science, and policy to address complex socio-ecological problems. Panel Members provide intellectual leadership in their area of expertise and are expected to work effectively across the GEF’s focal areas, including advising on crosscutting issues and integrated programming outside their area of expertise. Women and candidates from developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply. Panel Members contribute substantively to the delivery of STAP’s program of work.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Provide leadership in formulating high-quality advice and bring rigor to strategic and operational issues of the GEF.
• Play an active role in developing and implementing STAP’s work program, including:
  • drafting advisory papers,
  • convening and participating in expert meetings/consultations,
  • representing STAP at GEF-related events.
• Review GEF project proposals for technical and scientific soundness and provide advice on enhancing their scientific quality and maximizing the delivery of global environmental benefits and co-benefits.
• Contribute to the biannual STAP Chair’s report to the GEF Council and the STAP quadrennial report to the GEF Assembly.
• Contribute to GEF’s corporate activities, including responding to ad hoc requests for advice, training, and participating and providing expert advice at workshops and meetings.
• Mobilize scientific and technical networks and partnerships in support of STAP’s work.
• Participate in two STAP meetings annually, monthly STAP teleconferences, and other ad hoc STAP events (virtual or in-person).

Qualifications/special skills

• A PhD in a field relevant to biodiversity conservation is required.
• A minimum of 15 years of research experience addressing biodiversity issues is required.
• The ability to work in an integrated, interdisciplinary manner across the GEF’s focal areas, with solid experience in applying systems thinking to address global environmental challenges and promote transformational change is required.
• Demonstrated expertise and leadership in bridging the science, policy, and governance issues in the public and/or private sectors is required.
• Exceptional analytical, research, writing, and communication skills, demonstrated through active leadership in preparing peer-reviewed, practitioner, and advisory publications on environmental sustainability issues relevant to the GEF and presenting their findings in appropriate forums are required.
• Active engagement in scientific networks and partnerships addressing environmental sustainability issues is required.
• Experience in applied research and/or designing and implementing projects/programs on environmental sustainability issues in GEF recipient countries (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin American and Caribbean, and parts of Eastern Europe) is desirable.
• Knowledge of and engagement with the United Nations System, International Financial Institutions, and Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) supported by the GEF (including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Biodiversity Framework, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, UN Convention to Combat Desertification, Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and Multilateral Agreements on International Waters and Transboundary Water Systems) is desirable.
• Enthusiasm and commitment to work collaboratively with a good sense of humor will be considered.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Application instructions

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