Biodiversity and Health Expert

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), within the UN Secretariat, is the leading global environmental authority. This role sits within the Nature and Health Unit of the Ecosystems Division, focusing on integrating biodiversity and health interlinkages into national biodiversity strategies and action plans, aligning with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to strengthen national and regional capacities to integrate holistic One Health considerations into biodiversity planning and policy frameworks. The role supports UNEP's efforts, in collaboration with partners like the CBD Secretariat and the Quadripartite, to develop and promote science-based indicators for assessing biodiversity-health interlinkages. The objective is to foster systemic One Health approaches that incorporate environmental dimensions, reduce health risks from ecosystem degradation, and facilitate the effective implementation of global biodiversity frameworks at the national level.

Responsibilities

The consultant will conduct reviews and analyses of national biodiversity strategies and action plans to assess the integration of biodiversity and health considerations, identifying adopted elements of the Global Action Plan and encouraging future uptake. Responsibilities include supporting the development and peer review of integrated, science-based indicators, metrics, and methodologies for assessing these interlinkages. Furthermore, the role involves strengthening national, regional, and global capacity to promote the Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health, facilitating expert participation in workshops, developing materials, and disseminating best practices and lessons learned on the interconnectedness of biodiversity loss and health.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of experience is required in integrated, multi-disciplinary approaches to challenges at the intersection of nature and health. Experience in developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, facilitating workshops, stakeholder engagement, project management, and overseeing cross-agency programs is also required. Familiarity with National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, capacity building, and UN system operations is desirable.

Skills

Integrated, multi-disciplinary approaches; Monitoring and evaluation framework development; Workshop facilitation; Presentation development; Stakeholder engagement; Webinar and workshop delivery; Project management; Cross-agency program oversight; Capacity building; Technical and scientific cooperation; Cross-sectoral dialogue facilitation; Critical review of NBSAPs; UN system operations familiarity.

Explore related opportunities