Last Date: September 26, 2010
Email: staffing@unccd.int
SECRETARIAT OF THE CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION
SECRETARIAT DE LA CONVENTION SUR LA LUTTE CONTRE LA DESERTIFICATION
UNITED NATIONS
NATIONS UNIES
Assessment of how to organise international, interdisciplinary scientific advice and consideration of options for determining agreed channels for consideration of the advice in the Convention process
Terms of Reference for a Consultant
I. Introduction
During its eighth session, the UNCCD’s Conference of the Parties (COP) adopted in its decision 3/COP.8 a 10-year strategic plan and framework to enhance the implementation of the Convention (2008–2018), referred to as The Strategy, which is guiding the work of the Convention. The Strategy’s vision for the Convention is to forge a global partnership to reverse and prevent desertification/land degradation and to mitigate the effects of drought in affected areas in order to support poverty reduction and environmental sustainability.
With a view to supporting the attainment of this vision, The Strategy defines operational objectives guiding the actions of all UNCCD stakeholders and partners. Operational objective 3 on science, technology and knowledge is “to become a global authority on scientific and technical knowledge pertaining to desertification/ land degradation and mitigation of the effects of drought.” One of the effects intended by this objective is that science and technology networks and institutions relevant to desertification, land degradation and drought
are engaged to support UNCCD implementation. It is expected that provisions for the engagement of science and institutions are improved within the timeframe of 2010-2013.
Towards this end, the Conference of the Parties in its decision 18/COP.9 requested the Committee on Science and Technology (CST) to conduct an assessment at its next two sessions of how to organise international, interdisciplinary scientific advice, taking into account the need to ensure transparency and geographical balance, and to consider options for determining agreed channels for consideration of the advice in the Convention process.
The Bureau of the CST is responsible for the follow-up of the work of the Committee between sessions. During its meetings in March and June 2010, the Bureau has agreed that a consultant shall prepare a white paper on this issue with inputs from regional experts, and that stakeholders will review the white paper through a subsequent e-dialogue.
II. Scope of the assessment
As agreed by the Bureau of the CST, the assessment should include three main aspects:
1) Review of existing and available modalities for the provision of scientific advice within the UNCCD – these include but are not limited to:
- The Committee on Science and Technology (CST) and the CST Bureau
- UNCCD 1st Scientific Conference and subsequent Scientific Conferences
- Science and Technology Correspondents
- Roster of Experts
- Ad hoc panels
2) Review of existing and available modalities for the provision of scientific advice outside the UNCCD – these include but are not limited to:
- Existing intergovernmental mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
- Ongoing processes such as the International Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
- Modalities of UN bodies and Multilateral Environmental Agreements
- Informal institutional arrangements (e.g. scientific networks)
Page 2
3) Assessment of existing as well as potential new options for strengthening the provision of scientific advice to the UNCCD
The appraisal should include a thorough description of the options available and an assessment of their focus and scope, their ability to identify key scientific knowledge, conduct scientific assessments, and support policy making. It should take into account existing literature on the subject matter.
III. Organisation of the consultancy
The assignment will be carried out by a consultant who will also be responsible for ensuring the timeliness of the deliverables. The consultant will prepare a white paper, taking into consideration input from regional experts and the Bureau. Following the preparation of the white paper, the consultant will assist in the preparation and launching of an e-dialogue to enable stakeholders to review the white paper. The consultant will work with the UNCCD secretariat by email and conference call.
IV. Deliverables and Deadlines
The consultant will start work at the beginning of October 2010 and submit a zero draft white paper to the UNCCD secretariat for comments by November 2, 2010. In mid-November, the consultant will travel to Bonn, Germany to attend the CST Bureau meeting and present the revised draft white paper to the CST Bureau. The final white paper will be submitted to the UNCCD secretariat by mid-December. The consultant will also assist the UNCCD secretariat in the preparation and launching of the e-dialogue for stakeholders to comment on the white paper.
V. Profile
The consultant should have:
- An advanced university degree or equivalent in relevant disciplines such as Natural
Resource Management, Environmental Policy and Economics, Geography, Agronomy, Forestry, and Social Sciences
- A minimum of 6 years of work experience in networking with the scientific community
- Experience with advisory mechanisms of multilateral environmental agreements or similar entities
- Ability to prepare an assessments as set forth above
- Knowledge of desertification, land degradation and drought issues is an asset
- Fluency in oral and written English with excellent writing and editing skills
- Computer literacy
VI. Contractual Terms
The contract is for a two months work consultancy within the timeframe of the beginning of October to the end of December. The consultant is expected to come to Bonn, Germany in mid-November 2010 for a presentation to the CST Bureau meeting.
VII. Submission of Applications
The deadline for receipt of application materials is 11:59 pm GMT on 26 September 2010.
All applications should be sent to: Consultancy – Assessment on international advice, Attention: Recruitment, UNCCD, P.O. Box 260129, D-53153 Bonn, Germany, Telefax: + 49 228 815 2898/99 or by e-mail to staffing@unccd.int. No telephone calls will be returned. Please address your application as indicated above and please do not address your application to or copy it to an individual at the secretariat.
No comments:
Post a Comment