Flyways and Action Plan Consultant - CMS Avian and Aquatic teams

Organizational Context

The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) is a global intergovernmental treaty focused on conserving migratory species and their habitats. The CMS Secretariat, based in Bonn, Germany, supports numerous related intergovernmental instruments, including ASCOBANS, AEWA, and EUROBATS. UNEP provides administrative functions. This role is within the CMS Secretariat, supporting avian and aquatic teams.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to coordinate the implementation of four specific CMS-approved species action plans and support the CMS Flyways Working Group. The role involves reviewing and prioritizing activities, coordinating international efforts, monitoring progress, and providing actionable recommendations. The overall objective is to strengthen the coordinated delivery of avian and aquatic COP15 mandates and selected CMS-adopted species action plans relevant to the East Asian-Australasian and Pacific regions. This includes structured review, planning, targeted stakeholder coordination, practical implementation tools, regular monitoring, and timely reporting for CMS bodies and partners. The consultant will serve as an implementation support resource to accelerate delivery and enhance accountability across the integrated portfolio, translating mandates into structured, time-bound actions with clear priorities and measurable progress.

Responsibilities

The consultant will support the CMS Flyways Working Group by planning and delivering activities, including preparing agendas, background papers, draft recommendations, action-oriented minutes, and follow-up communications. This involves compiling and synthesizing implementation updates from Parties and partners, identifying implementation gaps, and maintaining an action tracker with practical mitigation options. The role also requires drafting decision-ready briefing notes and concise summaries for CMS bodies. For the Single Species Action Plans (Christmas Island frigatebird, far eastern curlew, loggerhead turtle, and Pacific whales/dolphins), the consultant will operationalize and support their implementation. This entails producing prioritized implementation roadmaps, comprehensive implementation packages, and progress-tracking tools. Key duties include coordinating stakeholders, engaging partners, and delivering reporting products to address implementation gaps and strengthen effectiveness. Furthermore, the consultant will produce high-quality consolidated reporting and communication products, such as mid-term and final reports, presentations, and all editable source files, providing a clear synthesis of progress, gaps, risks, and actionable recommendations.

Work Experience

At least two years of relevant professional experience in migratory species conservation, biodiversity policy, implementation, or multilateral environmental agreement processes is required. Experience with flyways-related work and/or species action plan implementation is a strong asset. Demonstrated experience supporting multi-stakeholder working groups, including preparing agendas, briefs, minutes, and summaries, is essential. Proven capacity to translate technical action plans into implementable workplans and produce high-quality progress reports is also required.

Skills

Excellent drafting skills in English for UN intergovernmental processes. Strong organizational skills, including planning, prioritizing, and managing multiple workstreams independently. Proficient in MS Word and Excel. Desirable knowledge of GIS and data analysis. Excellent written and verbal communication for diverse audiences. Demonstrates professionalism, sound judgment, and consistent delivery of high-quality outputs. Ability to establish productive relationships, facilitate coordination, and foster teamwork in multi-stakeholder contexts.

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