Result of Service
A fully developed proposal for the conservation of one or multiple species of gorillas ready for submission to a specific and appropriate donor or donors.
Work Location
Remote
Expected duration
6 months
Duties and Responsibilities
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.
Overall responsibility for this consultancy lies with Mr. Andrew Raine, Executive Secretary of the CMS Secretariat. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of Ms. Clara Nobbe, Head of the Terrestrial Species Team, and Mr. Nathan Mesnildrey, Associate Programme Management Officer.
The individual contractor will be responsible for performing the following duties, as required:
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is the only global agreement that focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats. Achieving the mandate of CMS is closely tied to addressing global drivers of biodiversity loss and environmental change, as well as in advancing targeted conservation solutions while addressing cross-cutting threats to migratory species and their habitats. Priority areas for action include:
- area-based conservation measures and species management approaches that integrate ecological connectivity, climate change and other relevant considerations;
- addressing overexploitation of species (e.g., illegal or unsustainable killing of species, including for domestic sales and other uses, and bycatch of non-target species);
- minimizing the impacts of linear, energy and other infrastructure; and
- reducing impacts from pollution such as pesticides, plastics, lead, light and noise.
Gorilla Agreement
The Agreement on the Conservation of Gorillas and Their Habitats is a legally binding Agreement concluded under CMS. It provides a framework for coordinated conservation action for gorillas and their habitats across the ten gorilla Range States: Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda. The Agreement has been in force since November 2008 and is administered by the CMS Secretariat on an interim basis. It works closely with the UNEP Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP), as well as other partners, including CITES and the Primate Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission.
The Agreement covers the Western Gorilla and Eastern Gorilla, including their four subspecies, all of which are listed on Appendix I of CMS. Implementation is guided by subspecies-specific Action Plans, developed and coordinated by the IUCN Species Survival Commission Primate Specialist Group, and focuses on priorities such as habitat protection and connectivity, population monitoring, law enforcement, wildlife health, sustainable livelihoods and transboundary cooperation.
At its Fourth Meeting, held in Paris in December 2023, the Meeting of the Parties adopted Resolution 4.2 on the Budget and Programme of Work for 2024 to 2026. The Resolution notes that implementation of the Agreement is expected to be supported through Parties’ contributions, voluntary donor contributions and other appropriate mechanisms, and recalls the need to develop sustainable fundraising mechanisms.
Qualifications/special skills
An advanced university degree in natural resource management, conservation, biology, primatology, ecology or environmental sciences is required. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in developing successful funding proposals is required. Proven experience in natural resource management or conservation, with a particular focus on Central Africa and gorillas is required. Demonstrated expertise in project financing, funding management, and in the conceptualization and establishment of environmental projects is required. Experience working with Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and intergovernmental organizations is required.
Languages
Fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of French or Portuguese is desirable.
Additional Information
Not available.
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.
