UNESCO recruits 01 Expert in climate change and protected areas 

EXPERT IN CLIMATE CHANGE AND PROTECTED AREAS

Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station: Paris

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 23-Sept-2020

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Climate change is becoming one of the most significant threats to World Heritage properties and could jeopardize their Outstanding Universal Value, their integrity/authenticity and their potential to support economic and social development at the local level.  World Heritage properties serve as effective climate change observatories to gather and share information on applied and tested monitoring, mitigation and adaptation practices. The global network of World Heritage, one of the most widespread monitoring systems, also helps raise awareness on the impacts of climate change on human societies and cultural diversity, biodiversity and ecosystem services, and the world’s natural and cultural heritage.

UNESCO has been at the forefront of exploring and managing the impacts of climate change on World Heritage. In 2006, it prepared a report on Predicting and Managing the effects of climate change on World Heritage (2006), followed by a compilation of Case Studies on climate change and World Heritage. This process leads to the adoption in 2007 by the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention of a Policy Document on the impacts of climate change on World Heritage properties.

This consultancy shall contribute to programme implementation of the World Heritage Centre, which serves as the Secretariat of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972). In particular, the consultancy job shall contribute to finalizing the process initiated in 2019 to update the 2007 Policy Document and have it examined by the World Heritage Committee at its 44th session.

Work assignment

The objective of this consultancy is to propose a final version of the updated “Policy Document on the impacts of Climate Change on World Heritage properties” in view of its widespread communication and dissemination to all stakeholders concerned.

The consultant, with experience on both climate change and protected areas, is expected to bring critical inputs will work with the World Heritage Centre and with a cultural heritage expert, to finalize the updated “Policy Document on the impacts of Climate Change on World Heritage properties” after its consideration by a dedicated Technical Advisory Group of experts and by the World Heritage Committee at its 44th session, and to integrate comments made at this occasion.

Considering the issues above-mentioned, the Individual Specialist shall undertake the tasks listed below with a specific focus on natural Heritage, and shall work in close consultation with a cultural Heritage Individual Specialist. The Individual Specialist is expected to undertake the task in as rigorous manner as possible to produce information sufficiently valid and reliable based on data and analysis.  In particular, the Individual Specialist shall:

A.        Attend an online Technical Advisory Group meeting to review the “Third draft updated Policy Document”, fully analyze the issues at stake and formulate further proposals to improve the content of the draft document,

B.         Submit a final draft of the updated Policy Document to the World Heritage Centre, taking into account the comments and suggestions made by the members of the Technical Advisory Group (as per (A) above), for review by the World Heritage Committee at its 44th session,

C.         Present the final draft of the updated Policy Document to the World Heritage Committee at its 44th session,

D.        Submit a revised Policy Document to the World Heritage Centre, taking into account the comments and suggestions made by the members of the World Heritage Committee at its 44th session (as per (D) above).

Deliverables and timeline

The Individual Specialist shall submit to the World Heritage Centre for approval:

i)          Second half of September 2020, attend an online Technical Advisory Group meeting, to be convened to review the third draft updated Policy Document and make further proposals

ii)         By 6 October 2020, submit a final draft of the updated Policy Document to the World Heritage Centre, taking into account the comments and suggestions made by the members of the Technical Advisory Group (as per (i) above), for review by the World Heritage Committee at its 44th session

iii)        Present the final draft updated Policy Document to the World Heritage Committee at its 44th session (dates to be confirmed)

ii)         By 31 December 2020, submit a revised Policy Document to the World Heritage Centre, taking into account the comments and suggestions made by the members of the World Heritage Committee at its 44th session (as per (iii) above).

WORK LOCATION AND TRAVEL

Work Location and travel

Depending on sanitary arrangements at UNESCO Headquarters, the Individual Specialist shall work at his/her own premises (using his/her own equipment such as computer, software, Internet access).

The task will require approximately 2-3 meetings with UNESCO staff and other international experts, members of a Technical Advisory Group, either online or at Headquarters.

If the Individual Specialist is not located in Paris (France), travel costs shall be covered by UNESCO for meetings or activities taking place at UNESCO Headquarters or other relevant location, as required.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Accountability (C)

Communication (C)

Innovation (C)

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

Planning and organizing (C)

Results focus (C)

Teamwork (C)

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For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and experience:

•          Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the field of the Environment and/or protected areas, Climate change, Disaster risk management, or related area.

•          A minimum of ten (10) years relevant professional experience in the fields of climate change, risk management and protected areas conservation, of which preferably at least two years acquired at international level.

•          Proven knowledge in providing advice, guidance, counselling, planning and/or making specific proposals in a related field.

•          Proven knowledge in designing international policies/strategies and/or governance work in a related field.

•          Proven knowledge of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention and of the 2007 Policy Document on the impact of climate change on World Heritage properties.

Skills and competencies:

•          Familiarity with the work and general functioning of UNESCO.

•          Good knowledge of UNFCCC’s work and of the Paris Agreement.

•          Good knowledge of United Nations Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

•          Good analytical and organizational skills.

•          Ability to work independently, as well as in a team, and maintain effective working relations within a multi-cultural environment.

•          Languages: Excellent knowledge of English or French (both written and oral)

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

Fees for the assignment: USD 5.000 (in addition, travel costs shall be covered by UNESCO for meetings or activities taking place at UNESCO Headquarters or other relevant location)

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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