Development of biodiversity coordination mechanism for Armenia consultant
Organizational Context
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority, setting the environmental agenda and promoting sustainable development within the UN system. This role sits within UNEP's Ecosystems Division, specifically the Nature Frameworks Support Unit, and supports the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, a country-led initiative to enhance National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) globally.
Job Purpose
This consultancy aims to assist the Government of the Republic of Armenia in developing a robust biodiversity coordination mechanism. Effective implementation of Armenia's NBSAP requires a shift in biodiversity governance across government and society, aligning with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The role will facilitate a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, ensuring biodiversity considerations are mainstreamed into all relevant sectors and that civil society, the private sector, and other groups are active partners. The objective is to build durable, inclusive national capacity for NBSAP implementation that endures beyond project timelines, contributing to the KMGBF targets.
Responsibilities
The consultant will conduct a comprehensive desk review of existing biodiversity and environmental coordination mechanisms in Armenia and international models. They will design and facilitate stakeholder consultations to develop a Coordination Mechanism Concept document, proposing options for an inter-agency body, including analysis of building on existing structures like the Inter-Agency Council on Climate Change. A Legal Mapping Note will identify necessary legal and administrative acts for formal establishment under Armenian law. The consultant will also produce a stakeholder consultation report and contribute to strengthening national institutional capacity for cross-sectoral biodiversity coordination, ensuring alignment with KMGBF Targets 14 and 21.
Work Experience
A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in environmental governance, public administration, or institutional policy is required. Demonstrated experience in institutional analysis and/or developing coordination mechanisms, inter-agency bodies, or governance frameworks is essential. Familiarity with Armenia’s environmental institutional landscape is also required.
Skills
Environmental governance, public administration, institutional policy development, institutional analysis, coordination mechanism design, inter-agency body development, governance framework creation, knowledge of biodiversity policy, knowledge of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, familiarity with Armenia's environmental institutions, stakeholder consultation, legal and administrative act identification.