Result of Service

Asia Pacific Illegal Taking of Migratory Birds Intergovernmental Task Force (ITTEA) is successfully coordinated according to requirements related to this intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder initiative, and satisfactory support to CMS Parties and the CMS Secretariat is provided regarding their mandates to protect migratory birds from illegal killing, taking and trade; membership is increased, documentation is developed, and activities and communication with Task Force members, the EAAFP Task Force on Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Waterbirds, the EAAFP Secretariat and other observers and relevant stakeholders are coordinated and facilitated according to such requirements.

Work Location

Remote/home-based, beneficial to work from Bonn

Expected duration

01/01-31/03/2024

Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Setting The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is a global intergovernmental treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats. Numerous additional intergovernmental instruments on migratory species conservation have been adopted under the broad umbrella of CMS which are supported by the CMS Secretariat. In addition, two regional agreements on migratory species adopted under CMS have their own Secretariats which are co-located with the CMS Secretariat in Bonn - the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and the Agreement on the Conservation of European Populations of Bats (EUROBATS). The 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. In the present context, UNEP provides the administrative functions for the CMS, AEWA and EUROBATS Secretariats. This post is located in the CMS Secretariat at the Bonn duty station in Germany. Background The Asia Pacific Illegal Taking of Migratory Birds Intergovernmental Task Force, formerly Intergovernmental Task Force to Address Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, ITTEA, was launched in 2023 in Brisbane, Australia, under the mandate of CMS Resolution 11.16 (Rev.COP13) The Prevention of Illegal Killing, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds and CMS Decisions 13.32 to 13.33 - Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Birds in the East-Asian Australasian Flyway. It brings together government representatives in the field of environment, game management, law enforcement and judiciary of CMS Parties as well as of Non-Parties in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). Representatives of other interested CMS Parties beyond the EAAF, of governing and technical bodies and secretariats of the participating MEAs and other international organizations, of relevant bilateral migratory bird agreements in the region as well as of academic institutions, the hunting community, NGOs and other stakeholders and networks, as appropriate, are invited to contribute to the Task Force as observers. The current membership of the ITTEA comprises, so far, five Countries, 14 NGOs/advisory bodies, and five experts. Six additional countries have registered as Observer states. In moderating the ITTEA and facilitating its activities, the ITTEA Coordinator and the CMS Secretariat cooperate closely with the Secretariat of the EAAFP and its Task Force on Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Waterbirds. Scope The geographical scope of action of the Coordinator will be regional as per Terms of Reference of the ITTEA, covering all States of the EAAF and any other States that may have an influence on illegal hunting, taking and trade of wild birds (ITB) in the Asia-Pacific region, including through trade or any other commercial relationship, as well as working with other States which wish to support the Task Force. Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Avian Species Team of the CMS Secretariat and the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary of CMS, the Coordinator’s work will deal with all migratory bird species as identified by CMS and its relevant associated instruments, which regularly occur in the Asia-Pacific region, and thereby striving for maximum complementarity and cooperation with the EAAFP Task Force on Illegal Hunting, Taking and Trade of Migratory Waterbirds. Tasks and responsibilities 1. Coordinate and undertake the CMS Secretariat’s activities and communication with Range States towards the implementation of the Programme of Work of the Task Force. 2. Prepare the agenda and speakers list, organize logistics and coordinate with the speakers and stakeholders for the CMS COP14 side event on ITB, in cooperation with the Coordinator of the MIKT, and other relevant partners; draft presentation on the ITTEA and key activities related to Far-eastern Curlew for the event and facilitate the ITTEA-relevant parts of the event. 3. Draft a conceptual document on options for and considerations regarding a baseline for ITB in priority hotspot countries/areas in the Asia-Pacific region; coordinate consultation with the Task Force members and stakeholders and prepare a revised version based on comments and inputs received, ready to be presented at an ITTEA meeting/(online) workshop, as appropriate. 4. Draft Terms of Reference for the development of an online scoreboard to measure progress in addressing ITB at national level; and organize an online information session for consultation on the draft with ITTEA members and stakeholders; and provide an estimate of the activities linked to the scoreboard and ITB baseline production. 5. Undertake research and reach out to partners regarding external funding sources and compile the information in a document including relevant information on the specifics of each funding source. 6. Prepare an evaluation of the virtual Workshop on Market Surveys for Addressing Illegal Take of Migratory Birds (held in August 2023) including conclusions regarding the organization of future similar events. 7. In coordination with the Joint CMS + AEWA Communications, Information Management and Outreach Team, update the webpage for the Task Force, promote awareness about the Task Force through social media, drafting of articles and OpEds, and providing other inputs for the CMS website. 8. Facilitate implementation of decisions of the Task Force and the Decisions of the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP) with regard to ITB. 9. Assist with fundraising and resource mobilization, and relevant reporting to donors. 10. Facilitate engagement of stakeholders in the activities of the Task Force. 11. Stimulate and monitor communication and exchange of information, experience, best practice and know-how among members and observers of the Task Force as well as to other relevant stakeholders. 12. Prepare, in cooperation with implementing partners and ITTEA members, a draft template and related written guidance documents, including a preliminary list of species, for conducting surveys on food and wildlife markets. 13. Prepare the agenda, meeting documents and web presentation for an online workshop of ITTEA, and facilitate the workshop in cooperation with the ITTEA Chairperson; present progress made and discuss key outputs with members (including elements of outputs 3, 4 and 9, above); summarize the outcomes and conclusions in post-session documents and a report. 14. Represent the Task Force at relevant meetings, in consultation with the CMS Secretariat. 15. Maintain links with other relevant CMS instruments and working groups (WGs) such as AEWA, the Raptors MOU, the Flyways WG, the Preventing Poisoning WG and the African-Eurasian Migratory Landbirds WG.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications: An advanced university degree (Masters' or equivalent) in biology, ecology, zoology, environmental sciences, environmental policy or a closely related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Competencies: a. Planning and organizing: Ability to plan own work, to prioritize multiple tasks within set deadlines and a good understanding of the principles of clear decision-making, planning and management of risks; b. Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft and edit policy, technical and communications documents; Knowledge of production and dissemination of public information; c. Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; A good knowledge and understanding of CMS and its associated instruments, knowledge of current issues related to bird conservation and illegal killing in particular, and familiarity with the Asia-Pacific region is highly relevant; Good research, problem-solving and analytical skills; Sound judgement Experience: A minimum of five years relevant work experience in the implementation of multi-stakeholder environmental management projects and programmes, some of which should be at an international level.

Languages

Fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of Chinese or Russian would be highly desirable.

Additional Information

The remuneration will be in line with the UN fee and remuneration levels for consultants and individual contractors.

No Fee

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.