Political Engagement consultant on Restoring Landscapes in South African Implementation

Result of ServiceThe ultimate result of the service is the effective coordination and implementation of the ReLISA project, ensuring smooth collaboration among consortium partners and alignment with South Africa’s policy priorities, including its G20 Presidency. Through well-structured stakeholder engagement, the project will enhance dialogue with key political and private sector actors, fostering investment in ecosystem restoration. Additionally, the consultant’s role as Gender and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) focal point will ensure compliance with gender mainstreaming strategies and safeguard measures, promoting inclusive and sustainable project outcomes. Deliverables such as policy briefings, stakeholder engagement reports, and project coordination outputs will contribute to the project's success, ultimately supporting UNEP’s mission to strengthen environmental governance and sustainable development in South Africa. The consultant will support the organisation and smooth functioning of the ReLISA official launch event. Work LocationPretoria Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesOrganization setting: UN Environment 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. 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. UN Environment Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The consultant will work for the Economics of Nature (TEN) Unit in the Ecosystems Division in UNEP to perform tasks on an IKI-funded project on ecosystem restoration in South Africa entitled Restoring Landscapes in South Africa (ReLISA) which aims to inter alia apply natural capital accounting to measure, value and make the economic case for restoration activities and thereby scale up investment in ecosystem restoration of savannah, subtropical thicket and grasslands biomes. Details of the initial IKI call for proposals can be found at https://www.international-climate-initiative.com/en/find-funding/country-call/translate-to-english-laender-call-suedafrika/ The UNEP-led ReLISA consortium comprises UNDP, UNESCO, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), with two further partners to be contracted to coordinate private sector engagement. Duties and responsibilities Project coordination 1. Facilitate and coordinate cooperation and communication between the consortium partners to coordinate activities. 2. Provide secretariat support for consortia meetings on specific site interventions Stakeholder engagement 1. Facilitate and coordinate cooperation and communication between the consortium and political partner institutions 2. Provide ongoing updates to key political partners in ongoing implementation of ReLISA and communicate the results of those discussions to the ReLISA consortium 3. Identify opportunities to disseminate project objectives and outcomes in national and international policy fora, e.g. the Global Landscapes Forum, or side events of UNFCCC, UNCCD and CBD meetings 4. Apprise the Consortium and Head, Economics of Nature unit of material developments in Government of South Africa policy positions that could impact upon ReLISA implementation 5. Identify synergies between ReLISA and other relevant projects and provide recommendations for partnership and adapting ReLISA implementation Project Steering Committee 6. Invite key policy stakeholders (ministries and relevant agencies) to join the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and nominate focal points which will be regularly updated and informed about project activities and progress. 7. Provide Secretariat functions to the PSC, including development of agenda, sending invitations, meeting organization and logistics, drafting minutes etc. Gender Focal Point and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) Focal Point 8. Act as gender focal point for ReLISA, ensuring gender responsive project implementation and management in line with the ReLISA gender mainstreaming strategy 9. Act as IPLC focal point for ReLISA, monitoring the project’s commitments and obligations for meaningful consultation and free prior and informed consent (FPIC) are upheld as outlined in the project document and safeguard measures UNEP’s support to the South African G20 Presidency 10. Provide support to UNEP’s Executive Office and Southern Africa Sub-regional office on linkages between ReLISA and South Africa’s G20 Presidency. The consultant shall work under the guidance and overall supervision of the Head, Economics of Nature Unit (TEN) and liaise closely with the Head, Southern Africa Sub-regional office. Qualifications/special skillsAn advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent), preferably with a specialization in environmental management, law, social anthropology, environment and development, sustainable development, economics, applied economics, agriculture, or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in programme management and stakeholder engagement on environmental and sustainable development issues to decision-makers in the government, private sector and the broader public at national and international levels is required. Experience in ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based solutions projects in South Africa is desirable. Proven ability to engage with senior political stakeholders is desirable. Previous work with UN System or International Organization is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position 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.