The ultimate results of service constitute the following:
- Involvement of key actors and relevant stakeholders in implementation of the Carpathian Convention in Serbia, assistance provided and communication with the Convention bodies facilitated.
- List of activities facilitating the better implementation of the Carpathian Convention, including other biodiversity related projects, at the regional and local levels developed.
- Contribution to the organization of the Carpathian Convention COP7.
Serbia
3 months
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. UNEP has the mandate to keep the state of the global and regional environment under review, in order to inform decision making on the state and trends of our changing environment, and to foresee emerging environmental problems and threats, particularly those of a transboundary nature.
The Carpathians Mountains are one of Europe's largest mountain ranges and the Carpathian region constitutes a major ecological, economic, cultural, recreational and living environment, shared by numerous people and seven countries. This makes sustainable development of this region highly important, but also challenging. The countries of the region are parties to the Carpathian Convention (CC) – a regional treaty, which supports cooperation on protection and sustainable development of the Carpathians. The Convention is coordinated by the UN Environment – Vienna Programme Office, Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention.
The Convention helps its members implement international and EU biodiversity and sustainable development provisions and can be a helpful mechanism for regional and local authorities. However, there is a lack of awareness about the Convention and low participation in its activities on the local and regional level. The recent Conference of the Parties (COP6) took place in November 2020. Poland assumed the presidency over the Convention for 2021 – 2023 and announced its strategic priorities, including “Cooperation with regional and local authorities and relevant stakeholders” (DECISION COP6/2). This gives the Convention Secretariat a mandate to deepen the participatory implementation at the local level.
Specifically, there is an increasing need for strengthening participatory approaches in the non-EU countries of the Carpathian Convention, in order to elevate the voice and needs of the local populations to the decision-making level.
Furthermore, pursuant to the decision of the Carpathian Convention COP6 (DECISION COP6/23) on accepting the offer of the Republic of Serbia to host the next Conference of the Parties in Serbia and thus taking over the Presidency of the Carpathian Convention for the period 2023-2026, the Secretariat is requested to assist the incoming Presidency to make the necessary arrangements, in consultation with the host Government, as well as to undertake the necessary preparation in consultation with all interested partners and stakeholders.
Under the supervision of the Head of UNEP Vienna Programme Office – SCC, the consultant will carry out the following services:
- Strengthening communication and cooperation with relevant stakeholders; meetings, presentations of the Carpathian Convention priorities and principles.
- Designing activities for better implementation of the Carpathian Convention at the regional and local level, including other biodiversity related projects.
- Facilitating greater involvement of public bodies in the implementation of the Carpathian Convention, including other biodiversity related project, particularly in Serbia, together with facilitating communication between the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Serbia and the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention.
- Facilitating communication with partners and stakeholders relevant for the organization of the COP7
- Contributing to the organization of the COP7.
An advanced academic degree (Master’s degree) related to the topics of management, public participation, sustainable development, tourism, education, environmental policy, or a similar field is required.
A minimum of five years of experience in the field of sustainable regional development, education, and multilateral environmental agreements is required.
Experience in working in the Carpathian region and familiarity with the Carpathian Convention processes is desirable.
Working experience in diverse sectors (non-governmental, academic, private sectors) is desirable
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and Serbian are required.
THE 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.