Cruise Partnership Specialist

Result of ServiceA validated roadmap and engagement workplan for the cruise sector, including tailored sustainability activities, budget, and roles, developed in consultation with key stakeholders to inform a GEF-funded Mid-Size Project (MSP) and support implementation of cruise-related pilots under the ISLANDS project. List of entities (private sector and beyond) that present an important potential for building a partnership to engage cruise sector in SIDS. Work LocationRemote Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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. The Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP) is hosted by UNEP, in partnership with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). These organizations serve as the joint host of the GGKP Secretariat (www.greengrowthknowledge.org) on behalf of the GGKP Steering Committee (UNEP, GGGI, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and the World Bank). The GGKP is a global network of over 90 international organizations, research institutes, and think tanks focused on promoting a green economy transition by: • Identifying major knowledge gaps in green growth theory and practice and addressing these gaps through the promotion of collaboration and coordinated research; and • Using world-class knowledge management and communication tools to provide practitioners, policymakers, and other experts with opportunities to access, share, and utilize green growth policy analysis, guidance, information, and data. GGKP is executing the Communications, Coordination, and Knowledge Management (CCKM) Child Project of the ‘Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-Chemical Development in Small Island Developing States’ (ISLANDS) Programme, a five-year initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and designed to support Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in transitioning to a safe chemical development pathway. Tailored to the unique challenges faced by SIDS, the Programme spans four geographical regions: the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Islands, and Atlantic Ocean Islands. It aims to strengthen SIDS country’s capacity to manage the flow of chemicals, products, and materials into their territories while unlocking resources for the long-term and integrated management of chemicals and waste. The role of CCKM includes fostering private sector collaboration with SIDS for chemical and waste management within key sectors, including the cruise industry. The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a strategic roadmap for engagement with the cruise industry under the ISLANDS project, with a focus on sustainability in relation to waste, chemicals, and plastics. Specifically, the consultant will: • Conduct an assessment of existing policies, frameworks, standards, and initiatives relevant to sustainability in the cruise industry; • Benchmark the sustainability commitments and practices of selected cruise companies; and • Organize bilateral and group consultations with cruise operators and relevant stakeholders. In collaboration with UNEP and ISLANDS country teams, the consultant will use the findings to develop a proposed set of priority activities, including a detailed workplan, budget, results framework, and roles/responsibilities, which will feed into a GEF-funded Mid-Size Project (MSP) proposal. This work will be done in close cooperation with the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme and its Global Tourism Plastics Initiative led by UNEP and UN Tourism. In parallel, and building on the assessment and engagement process, the consultant will support ISLANDS project management teams in adapting relevant global best practices for implementation in national cruise-related pilots. Additionally, the consultant will collaborate with the BRS Secretariat and UNEP teams to deliver a regional training of trainers on the prevention of plastic pollution in the tourism sector in Africa, building on the work of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative and the BRS Secretariat in the region. Specific tasks and responsibilities The consultant’s responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, coordinating with the implementing partner to complete the following activities of the following outputs: a. Draft analytical report mapping existing sustainability frameworks, standards, and regulations relevant to the cruise industry, with a focus on waste, chemicals, and plastics. b. Benchmarking assessment framework (validated by UNEP) and comparative benchmark report of selected cruise companies’ sustainability commitments and practices. c. Brief report summarizing outcomes of bilateral consultations with cruise operators, highlighting engagement opportunities and capacity-building needs. d. Agenda, participant list, and outcome report of the virtual consultative meeting with cruise industry representatives. e. Final synthesis report integrating findings from assessment, benchmarking, and consultations. f. Cruise sector engagement plan and project workplan, including proposed activities, results framework, budget estimate, and roles for integration into the ISLANDS MSP proposal. g. Delivery of a regional training in Africa on reduction of plastic pollution in tourism jointly with the 10YFP Secretariat and the BRS Secretariat. Performance indicators • Timely and qualitative technical support provided to the ISLANDS Global Child Project on an assessment of existing policies, frameworks, standards, and initiatives relevant to sustainability in the cruise industry. • Timely and qualitative technical support provided to the ISLANDS Global Child Project on a benchmark the sustainability commitments and practices of selected cruise companies. • Timely and qualitative technical support provided to the ISLANDS Global Child Project on consultations with cruise operators and relevant stakeholders. • Timely and qualitative technical support provided to the ISLANDS Global Child Project on a strategic roadmap for engagement with the cruise industry under the project. • Timely organization and delivery of the regional training on reduction of plastic pollution in tourism. Qualifications/special skills• Advanced university degree in one of the following areas: tourism, business administration, international relations, environmental engineering or management with a focus on sustainable development or environmental policy. • A minimum of 7 years of work experience on the topic of sustainable tourism is required, among which at least 4 years of work on issues pertaining to plastic pollution and waste management is required. • Experience working with the cruise companies is required. • Experience working with SIDS is desirable. 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. Knowledge of French, Spanish, or Portuguese is an advantage. Additional InformationNot available. 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.