The United Nations Environment Programme 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. At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for ‘sustainable development’. The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature in Rio in 1992. The Convention has 196 Parties and has three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme. Its main tasks are to arrange for and service meetings of the Conference of the Parties, including preparation of pertinent documentation, operation of the central node of the clearing-house mechanism, liaison and coordination with other international bodies and processes and, in close collaboration with these partners, the provision of technical support for the effective implementation of the Convention.

The Japan Biodiversity Fund (JBF) was established by the Government of Japan in 2010 to support developing country Parties to revise their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs), in the framework of the Strategic Plan. Phase two of the JBF addresses the newly adopted Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Duties and responsibilities The individual contractor will report to the Programme Management Officer of the JBF. He/she will perform the following duties:

1. Provide administrative, organizational and logistics support to the JBF activities.
2. Support and assist the Japan Biodiversity Fund Team in the management, coordination and implementation of its activities.
3. Contribute to the preparation of progress reports of the JBF for the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the Secretariat.
4. Liaise with CBD Programme Officers regarding the submission of their reports and management of their projects.
5. Assist JBF team members in managing the JBF related projects and activities.
6. Assist Programme Officers in coordinating the EU and other voluntary funding; and
7. Any other tasks assigned by the Programme Management Officer of the JBF team.

Education, Skills and Other Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent is required. University degree in public administration, natural resource management, environmental sciences, environmental policy, or related field is desirable.
• A minimum of three (3) years of working experience is required.
• Experience in the field of programme/project management assistance, biodiversity, environmental management, report writing, administrative functions is desirable
• Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems is required.
• Demonstrated expertise in planning, organization and communication are desirable.
• Knowledge of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its processes and of other international policy processes is desirable.
• Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct analysis, including familiarity of such activities with electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases are desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages is desirable. NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.

Special Conditions

• Travel as it may be required.
• Applicants must be Canadian residents or citizens or have permission to work in Canada.