Research Consultant - Global Peatlands Initiative

Result of Service

The consultant will work with partners and UNEP to increase uptake and knowledge on the findings of the Global Peatlands Assessment (GPA) and support resource mobilization for the Global Peatlands Initiative.

Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment (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's 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 Global Peatlands Initiative (GPI), led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), seeks to capture, and establish new approaches for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of peatlands â linking science to practice and policy making. The four peat-rich tropical countries of Indonesia, Peru, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the pilot countries of the Global Peatlands Initiative. Due to the enormous amounts of carbon, they hold and the catastrophic consequences their drainage and degradation has generated in the past, a commitment by over 40 partners and tropical peatland countries to work together to halt the further destruction of peatlands is gaining international attention. Partners are sharing their knowledge and experience to promote healthy peatlands through their restoration and conservation as one of the fastest ways to tackle the climate crisis.

Partners are working together within their respective areas of expertise to assess, measure and take actions to preserve peat carbon and biodiversity. Drawing on the expertise of the Initiativeâs partners and peatland practitioners, and through a structured South-South cooperation approach, the project helps countries contribute to major Multilateral Environmental Agreements (namely the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, Convention on Migratory Species, and the Ramsar Convention). Specifically, the work of the Initiative aims to help the pilot countries achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions while advancing progress toward the SDGs. By collecting, advocating for, and supporting conservation practice and restoration efforts in the pilot countries, the project also contributes to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, especially Target 5 (reduced habitat loss/degradation), Target 14 (ecosystems that provide essential and valuable services are restored and safeguarded), and Target 15 (contribution of ecosystems to carbon stocks).

The consultant(s) will be located in UN Environment Programme / Ecosystems Division / Biodiversity, People and Landscapes Unit. The consultant will report to, Programme Management Officer.

The consultant will provide technical and peatlands-specific expertise to the Biodiversity, People and Landscapes Unit for coordination of scientific or flagship reports and science-based products of the Global Peatlands Initiative.

Specific duties include the following:
1.Work with partners and UNEP to increase uptake and knowledge on the findings of the Global Peatlands Assessment (GPA) including linking data to World Environmental Situation Room, making data open and available on GPI website, maps and so on.
2.Coordinate the regional launching of the GPA chapters and three global chapters to raise awareness of decision-makers, bring on board new scientists and improve the application of the results. Draft policy briefs to accompany the GPA and Hotspot Atlas including overseeing translation and publication processes.
3.Engage with partners to advance peatlands monitoring and mapping, linked to the Hotspot Atlas, GPA and Global Peatlands Inventory, Global Forest Watch and more.
4.Engage with partners and undertake research for the development of the Global Peatlands Inventory together with Ramsar Secretariat and make preparations and proposals for funding the next iteration of the GPA in coordination with partners.
5.Conduct research, coordinate drafting and review of materials and reports to support the implementation of the Global Peatlands Initiative Research Working Group.
6.Undertake needs surveys and identify trainers together with GPI partners for the GPI Research Working Group.
7.Coordinate targeted training sessions including for Early Career Researchers as part of the GPI Researchers Working Group, prepare agenda, identify trainers and develop presentations as required.
8.Facilitate reporting, training, development and documentation of lessons learned from the Global Peatlands Initiative.

Qualifications/special skills

Masterâs University degree preferably with a specialization in environmental sciences, conservation biology, sustainable management, or related areas is required.
A minimum of three years of progressive experience in the field of environmental conservation, scientific research or science to policy work is required.
Experience working on peatlands and/or ecosystems as a topic is required.
Experience with the UN system especially with UNEP and on this issue is highly desirable.
Skills and experience in networking, outreach, and engaging with multiple parties is desirable.
Experience in coordinating research agendas, conducting analysis and possess excellent drafting skills for scientific reports is desirable.

Languages

English and Spanish are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Spanish (both oral and written) is required.

NOTE: ''Fluency'' equals a rating of ''fluent'' in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ''Knowledge of'' equals a rating of ''confident'' in two of the four area.