Result of ServiceTechnical guidance and advisory support provided to the participating countries to the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project “Support to Preparation of the Fifth National Report on the Implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (GEFID 11907)\". Work LocationHomebased Expected duration6 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme UNEP is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. 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. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This consultancy assignment will support the work of the GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit in the Biodiversity and Land Branch, Ecosystems Division. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is implementing a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project titled \"Support to Preparation of the Fifth National Report on the Implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (GEFID 11907).\" This Project aims to assist 105 GEF-eligible Parties in fulfilling their obligations under Article 33 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB). These Fifth National Reports are crucial for assessing global progress on the Protocol, identifying capacity needs, and guiding future biosafety interventions. The Fifth National Reports will feed into several key processes, including: • The fifth global assessment and review of the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in line with Article 35 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. • Mid-term evaluation of the Implementation Plan and Capacity-Building Action Plan (2021–2030) • The revision and updating of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) • National efforts to integrate biosafety into broader biodiversity policies and frameworks. These reports are due by February 28, 2026. Technical Adviser will provide technical and advisory support to participating countries throughout the process of preparing their Fifth National Reports on the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Specific duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: Tasks and responsibilities • Technical Guidance and Support: o Provide expert technical advice and guidance to National Focal Points and relevant national authorities in participating countries on the interpretation of Article 33, relevant COP/MOP Decisions on National Reporting (including Decision CP-10/9), and the requirements of the official reporting format. o Guide countries in understanding and addressing questions within the reporting format, ensuring comprehensive data collection. o Offer help-desk support to address specific technical queries from countries during the report preparation process. o Provide continuous desktop advisory support to the project and guidance to national project executing entities, including through in-person technical advice offered during the drafting workshops to ensure compliance with the reporting requirement of the protocol and adherence to UNEP safeguards issues. • National Report Preparation Process: o Guide countries in the systematic collection and analysis of national data, including gender and gender disaggregated data, in line with the CBD's Gender Plan of Action (2023-2030). o Provide technical input and guidance for the preparation of draft national reports. o Advise on the organization and facilitation of national consultative workshops (first and second) with government representatives (National Focal Points, ministries, policy makers), Indigenous and Local Communities, research community, business owners, non-governmental organizations, civil society, including the media, and other relevant stakeholders to gather inputs and validate reports. o Guide countries on incorporating feedback received from national workshops and stakeholders into the draft reports. • Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange: o Contribute to the development of materials and delivery of regional workshops designed to provide technical support to Parties on drafting national reports, engaging diverse stakeholders, and promoting peer-to-peer learning. o Raise awareness among Parties on the importance of timely submission of national reports and the implications of delayed submissions for global assessment and review processes. • Review and Submission Support: o Provide technical review and quality assurance for draft national reports submitted to UNEP, ensuring consistency and adherence to reporting guidelines. o Guide Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH) publishing authorities in the final online uploading of the updated national reports using the online format. • Knowledge Management Contribution: o Contribute to lessons learned and best practices documentation derived from the national reporting process. o Facilitate the utilization of knowledge management platforms such as Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH), Integrated Planning Management and Reporting tool (IPMR), UNEP Biosafety Information System (ANUBIS), and CBD's YouTube channel for information sharing and project updates. Qualifications/special skillsAn Advanced degree in Natural sciences, Natural resources Management, Environmental Sciences, monitoring and evaluation, International Development or other relevant political or social sciences area is required. • A minimum of 2 years of technical/evaluation experience, including project planning, management, monitoring and evaluation is required, preferably including evaluating large, regional or global programmes and using a Theory of Change approach is required. • Experience in evaluation of GEF projects is highly desirable. • Excellent writing skills, team leadership experience and, where possible, knowledge of the UN system, specifically of the work of UNEP and GEF programming is an asset. Experience in managing partnerships, knowledge management and communication is desirable for all evaluation consultants. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.