Flyways and Action Plan Consultant - CMS Avian and Aquatic teams

Result 1 – Inception package and integrated implementation roadmap agreed A robust inception package is delivered and approved, including an integrated workplan, stakeholder engagement plan, progress-tracking framework, and risk management approach covering all four components. Result 2 – Flyways Working Group follow-up effectively supported Planning and follow-up materials and minutes are delivered to enable timely implementation under CMS Resolution 12.11 (Rev.COP15) Flyways and the COP15 decisions: 15.154 and 15.156, including action trackers, synthesized updates, communication products, meeting documentation, and decision-ready briefs for CMS bodies as required. Result 3 – Single Species Action Plans (Christmas Island frigatebird, far eastern curlew, loggerhead turtle and whales and dolphins of the Pacific) operationalized and implementation supported For each of the single species action plans (SSAPs), a prioritized implementation roadmap, implementation package, and progress-tracking tools are produced; stakeholder coordination, partner engagement, and reporting products are delivered to support follow-up on priority measures and address implementation gaps; and progress is documented with practical recommendations to strengthen and improve implementation effectiveness. Result 4 – High-quality consolidated reporting and communication products produced Mid-term and final consolidated reports (in MS Word) and presentations (MS PowerPoint) are produced, providing a clear synthesis of progress, gaps, risks, and actionable recommendations, with all editable source files delivered.

Home-based or UN Premises

24 months(Part Time)

Organizational Setting The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is a global intergovernmental treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species and their habitats. Numerous additional intergovernmental instruments on migratory species conservation have been adopted under the broad umbrella of CMS, which are supported by the CMS Secretariat. The CMS Secretariat also provides the Secretariat for the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic, North East Atlantic, Irish and North Seas (ASCOBANS). In addition, two regional agreements on migratory species adopted under CMS have their own Secretariats which are co-located with the CMS Secretariat in Bonn - the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and the Agreement on the Conservation of European Populations of Bats (EUROBATS). The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. 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. In the present context, UNEP provides administrative functions for the CMS, AEWA, and EUROBATS Secretariats. This post is administered in the CMS Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. The CMS Secretariat supports several programmatic and institutional instruments and partnerships within the CMS Family that are particularly relevant to the conservation of migratory species in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) and Pacific region. The CMS Conference of the Parties through Resolution 12.12 (Rev.COP15) Action Plans for Birds has adopted several international single-species action plans for priority species. Furthermore, in line with CMS Resolution 12.11 (Rev.COP15) Flyways, the CMS Working Group on Flyways has established a comprehensive Programme of Work (POW) on migratory birds and flyways, including the development and implementation of Species Action Plans for priority species. The advertised consultancy directly supports the implementation of the following mandates: a) Resolution 12.11 (Rev.COP15) Flyways by supporting the CMS Flyways Working Group, b) the implementation of the Single Species Action Plan for the Christmas Island frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi) c) the implementation of the Single Species Action Plan for the far eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), d) the implementation of the Single Species Action Plan for the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) in the South Pacific Ocean, and e) the Whale and Dolphin Action Plan for the Pacific under the CMS Pacific Cetaceans MOU. This consultancy can be conducted home-based or at the CMS Secretariat premises in Bonn. Background At the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CMS (COP15), Parties adopted decisions related to the Flyways Working Group and the implementation of its Programme of Work (POW) under CMS Resolution 12.11 (Rev. COP15) Flyways. In addition, CMS has adopted species action plans that define coordinated measures to improve conservation outcomes for selected threatened migratory species. The approach combines species- and ecosystem-based measures and promotes international cooperation and coordination among States, multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), United Nations institutions, non-governmental organizations, indigenous peoples and local communities, and other stakeholders. In this context, the CMS Secretariat invites applications for an individual consultant to provide integrated implementation support for: (a) CMS Resolution 12.11 (Rev.COP15) Flyways, including follow-up to COP15 decisions related to the Flyways Working Group (WG) and implementation of its POW; (b) implementation of the Christmas Island frigatebird (Fregata andrewsi) Single Species Action Plan; (c) implementation of the far eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) Single Species Action Plan; (d) implementation of the South Pacific Ocean Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) Single Species Action Plan, and e) implementation of the Whale and Dolphin Action Plan for the Pacific. The Consultant will report directly to the heads of the Avian Species Team- (Flyways, far eastern curlew and Christmas Island frigatebird) and Aquatic – (Loggerhead turtle, whale and dolphin action plan) of the CMS Secretariat.

Academic qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in conservation biology, ecology, environmental policy, international environmental law, international environmental governance, marine biology, ornithology, or a related field. A first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Client orientation and teamwork: Ability to establish productive relationships with Parties, partners and stakeholders, and to facilitate coordination in multi-stakeholder contexts. Two years of professional experience is required, including at least 6 months in an international context, for example with the United Nations, IGO, or an international NGO. Knowledge of the UN, the Convention on Migratory Species or relevant migratory Partnerships and issues relating to the conservation of wild animals is required. Experience with flyways-related work and/or species action plan implementation is required. Demonstrated experience supporting multi-stakeholder working groups/task forces, including preparation of agendas, background briefs, minutes, action trackers, and decision-ready summaries. Excellent drafting skills in English, including the ability to produce clear, concise and accurate outputs suitable for UN intergovernmental processes is needed. Strong organizational skills, ability to manage multiple parallel workstreams, and ability to work independently in a home-based setting while maintaining close coordination with the Secretariat.

Fluency in oral and written English is essential. Knowledge of Spanish, Chinese and Russian is desirable.

The Consultant will report directly to the heads of the Avian Species Team (Flyways, far eastern curlew and Christmas Island frigatebird) and Aquatic Species Team (Loggerhead turtle, whale and dolphin action plan) of the CMS Secretariat. Travel may be required. Competencies: Planning and organizing: Ability to plan own work, prioritize multiple tasks within set deadlines, and apply clear decision-making and risk management approaches. Proficient knowledge on the use of MS Word and Excel is required. Knowledge of GIS and data analysis, and interpretation of the data is desirable. Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft, edit and synthesize policy and technical documents for diverse audiences. Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; sound judgement; and consistent delivery of high-quality outputs aligned with UN standards.