Legal and Publications Consultant

Result of ServiceFirst consultancy report on the implemented activities pertaining to the work plan outlined above, in particular; Report on the preliminary findings from the review of the portfolio, achievements, opportunities, funding; First draft/proposal for revision/new UNEP WB environmental outlook Consultation meetings with UNEP WB team. Second consultancy report on the implemented activities pertaining to the work plan outlined above, in particular: Final draft proposal of the UNEP WB environmental outlook; Donors’ mapping, strategic priorities and opportunities for the WB region. Work LocationVienna, Austria Expected duration6 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading international 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. Under its Western Balkan portfolio, it facilitates the implementation and execution of numerous projects pertaining to climate change, biodiversity protection, land degradation and other environmental related aspects. Large part of this portfolio consists of GEF funded projects that mainly relate to execution of the biodiversity and land degradation components of the national STAR allocations. In addition, there are a few climate change, air pollution and biodiversity protection initiatives that WB countries are a part of, that are also being executed by the Office in Vienna. The projects that are executing the biodiversity and land degradation components of STAR national allocations, are developing and strengthening national policy and institutional capacity for sustainable protected areas management, sustainable land management practices and are contributing to enhancing the national protected areas networks, effective PAs management and contributing to the achievement of the national land degradation neutrality targets. In addition, the land degradation projects have large components dealing with the implementation of sustainable land and forest management practices on the ground through reforestation of more than 400 ha of eroded land, other protective measures in the selected sites, introduction of ecological approaches for torrent control and number of other activities. Climate change-related assignments are mainly focused on establishing a comprehensive knowledge management information base tailored to the WB needs and empowerment of the key stakeholders and experts in incorporating the climate considerations into respective planning and decision-making processes. Various activities within projects provide guidance to national governments at various levels and actively engage in and facilitate the ongoing dialogue between civil society, the private sector, and governmental authorities, on environmental issues and gender equality aspects. Besides the above-mentioned GEF portfolio, the Western Balkan portfolio engages in other donors’-initiatives, such as the CABAMCA project “Enhancing the conservation of flagship migratory mammal species of Central Asia through climate change-informed management and decision making” and the BAMCA project “Building subregional intergovernmental partnerships for enhanced environmental dimension of Pillar V of the Green Agenda for Western Balkans Action Plan”. The Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security through UNEP is funding and co-funding several initiatives to support Southeast Europe and specifically countries from the Western Balkans to address the increasing levels of environmental pollution. The aim is to provide guidance to national governments at various levels, by actively engaging in and facilitating the ongoing dialogue between civil society, the private sector and governmental authorities, on environmental issues. UNEP is supporting the implementation of the second phase of the regional ClimaProof project funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADA/C), whose main objective is to enable general access to climate change knowledge, best practices and adaptation solutions by establishing a regional Western Balkans Climate-Proofing Platform, that will facilitate incorporation of climate considerations in planning and development processes and piloting practical adaptation approaches in selected tourism destinations. For the purpose of projects’ delivery dissemination, enhanced stakeholders’ engagement and promotion of results, UNEP Vienna Programme Office is seeking for a consultant that will be engaged in analyzing the entire UNEP’s Western Balkan project portfolio executed with support from UNEP Vienna Programme Office, stakeholders engagement, identify promotional possibilities, suggest updates of the existing UNEP/GEF portfolio brochure (or developing a new one), to include the entire past and ongoing works, as well as donors’ mapping and opportunities for the Western Balkan region. The Consultant will undertake the following duties and responsibilities under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of UNEP Vienna Programme Office-SCC and UNEP Associate Programme Management Officer, who coordinate the implementation of the WB portfolio on behalf of UNEP as part of the overall programme: - Work as a team member with all UNEP colleagues and partners to coordinate and implement all aspects of the entitled tasks, -Review the existing UNEP/GEF portfolio brochure, - Legal overview of the relevant legislation and institutional set-up in the environmental sector in the WB countries, - Scan the past and existing Western Balkans projects’ portfolio, - Organize consultation meetings with the local teams to discuss the findings and determine further details on the past, ongoing and upcoming project activities, - Consider and propose a new promotional portfolio outline/environmental outlook, based on the findings from the research and the feedback from the meetings (e.g. quantifying more project impact/achievements and presenting them as infographics, charts, and graphs to summarise and show key impacts; socio-economic benefits, such as possible impact on job creation, income improvement, rural livelihood enhancement, etc.), - Take into consideration all UNEP publications rules and procedures, while developing the outline, - Present the draft outlook to the UNEP Vienna and local team for further discussions and finalization, - Scan and map possible donors, donors’ strategical priorities and opportunities for the WB countries and role of UNEP in applying for such funds. - Ensure effective mainstreaming of gender equality and increasing the transparency of work, - Research and suggest specific inputs during the development of new project concepts and projects, - Other related support to pertaining to the description of the specific assignments. Qualifications/special skillsA postgraduate degree (Master or equivalent) in environmental/natural resource management, legal or international relation sciences supported by experience in the environmental sector, management, communications or a related field is required. At least five years of progressively responsible administrative, legal and/or project management/coordination experience is required. Experience supporting environment-related projects through information analysis and strategic communication on issues related to climate impact, nature protection, disaster risk or similar aspects is desirable. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is desirable. Experience working with the UN or other international organization is desirable. Proof of successful accomplishment of contract/s with similar nature is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. 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.