In collaboration with UNEP
Consultancy to Establish a UNEP-WCMC Programme of Work in Support of UNEP’s
Strategic Presence in Southern Africa
Initial 2-year contract, starting as soon as possible
Consultancy fee depending on skills and experience
This 2-year consultancy opportunity is part of a broader strategy to establish a UNEP-WCMC
presence and programme of work in key countries/regions around the world, in order to strengthen
the biodiversity capabilities of UNEP’s regional and country offices and deliver more effective support
to national and regional governments and other stakeholders.
The role of the Consultant is to work with the UNEP South Africa office to develop and manage a
programme of work in Southern Africa that enables UNEP-WCMC to better support the strategic
objectives of UNEP in Southern Africa and serve the needs of key Southern African partners and
stakeholders in terms of developing capacity to manage the conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity.
To fulfil the deliverables set out below, the Consultant will be required to assess opportunities, attend
relevant meetings (subject to the required permission being obtained) and build partnerships in
order to progress the presence of UNEP-WCMC in Southern Africa. Subject to the findings of the
initial scoping report, the main location from where the consultancy will be delivered will be the
UNEP South Africa office in Pretoria and the Consultant will be required to maintain a presence in
Pretoria while travelling within the region and elsewhere, including Cambridge, UK, as necessary.
Regular communication will be maintained throughout the delivery of the consultancy with the Head
of Capacity Development at UNEP-WCMC in Cambridge and the Head of the UNEP South Africa
office.
Year 1 Deliverables
1.
Planning and scoping for UNEP-WCMC engagement in Southern Africa
a. Scoping Study Report (6 months from start date) to provide an analysis of the relevant context
for UNEP-WCMC support to UNEP in Southern Africa, including:
i.
An analysis of UNEP’s biodiversity-related strategies and priorities for Southern Africa.
ii.
An analysis of other relevant UN agencies strategies and priorities on or relevant to
biodiversity in Southern Africa.
iii.
An overview of the current trends in biodiversity and ecosystem service status, use,
threats and management in Southern Africa.
iv.
An analysis of biodiversity governance in Southern Africa, at the regional, national and
sub-national levels, including potential points of entry/influence for UNEP/UNEPWCMC.
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In collaboration with UNEP
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An analysis of Southern African national government policy, strategies, priorities and
needs relating to biodiversity data and information.
An analysis of government thematic priorities (climate change, marine, species and
protected areas) in Southern Africa.
An analysis of SADC and other Southern African regional/sub-regional bodies’ policy,
strategies, priorities and needs relating to biodiversity and ecosystem services.
An analysis of other relevant stakeholders (e.g. NGOs) priorities and strategies on
biodiversity in Southern Africa.
An analysis of key bilateral donor strategies and priorities of relevance to biodiversity
in Southern Africa.
An analysis of other relevant donor strategies and priorities for Southern Africa.
b. UNEP-WCMC Southern Africa Strategy (draft overview provided 8 months from start date
and a final document 12 months from start date) to provide a three year strategy for UNEPWCMC support to UNEP outlining:
i.
Overall goals of UNEP-WCMC engagement in Southern Africa, including success
criteria.
ii.
Priority areas for UNEP-WCMC engagement in Southern Africa.
iii.
Key beneficiaries / partners for each priority area.
iv.
Proposed activities / projects within each priority area, including activities, required
expertise and expected outcomes as part of a Theory of Change for UNEP-WCMC
engagement in each area.
c. Operational Plan (draft overview provided 8 months from start date and a final document 12
months from start date) to provide a framework for effective and sustainable UNEP-WCMC
operations in Southern Africa, including:
i.
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A proposed operational model for UNEP-WCMC in Southern Africa.
Proposals regarding relevant administrative and/or management systems and
structures to be developed and implemented.
A proposed staffing structure or defined areas of consultant expertise (depending on
the specific operational model being proposed) aligned with the expected activities
under the UNEP-WCMC Southern Africa Strategy.
d. Development of the operational plan (in accordance with the deadlines specified in c. above)
will involve the following analyses - where necessary, this may involve liaising with relevant
Advisors contracted and paid by WCMC separately:
i.
An analysis of different operational models for UNEP-WCMC operations in Southern
Africa.
ii.
An analysis of relevant South African (and, if relevant, other Southern African
country) labour law provisions.
iii.
An analysis of relevant South African (and, if relevant, other Southern African
country) labour costs.
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In collaboration with UNEP
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An analysis of office and communications options and opportunities.
An analysis of relevant financial regulations, including the movement of capital and
exchange regulations.
An analysis of local regulations and options regarding VAT regulation and legal
registration of NGOs/ Charities.
An analysis of operational risks and opportunities arising through alignment with
UNEP or other partners.
2.
Development of a UNEP-WCMC project portfolio in Southern Africa
Funding proposals (a minimum of two within 12 months of start date) to be submitted to
donors in support of activities aligned with or outlined in the three year strategy.
3.
Engagement in other relevant opportunities to enhance UNEP-WCMC's presence
and support UNEP’s programme of work in Southern Africa
This will include ongoing engagement with SADC and UN Country Teams, in the context of
UNDAF development and implementation, as appropriate under the direction of the UNEP
South Africa office.
Year 2 Deliverables
1.
Planning and scoping for UNEP-WCMC engagement in Southern Africa
UNEP-WCMC Southern Africa Funding Plan (14 months from start date) to set out the
funding plan in support of the implementation of the three year strategy:
i.
Key donors and funding mechanisms for each priority area.
ii.
Target levels of funding (including broad cost categories) for specific projects.
iii.
Short and medium term fundraising plan, including specific funding windows to be
targeted.
iv.
Overall UNEP-WCMC Southern Africa funding requirements and projections for
project funding over the course of the three year strategy.
2.
Development of a UNEP-WCMC project portfolio in Southern Africa
Funding proposals (a minimum of five within 24 months of start date) to be submitted to
donors in support of activities outlined in the three year strategy.
3.
Engagement in other relevant opportunities to enhance UNEP-WCMC's presence
and support UNEP’s programme of work in Southern Africa
This will include ongoing engagement with SADC and UN Country Teams, in the context of
UNDAF development and implementation, as appropriate under the direction of the UNEP
South Africa office.
May, 2015
In collaboration with UNEP
The ideal candidate will hold a postgraduate qualification (MSc or higher) in a relevant discipline,
such as natural, biological or environmental sciences, and will have experience of using science to
inform policy decision making. Fluency in written and spoken English is essential and fluency or
intermediate ability in Portuguese would be beneficial. Ideally candidates will have an existing
understanding of UNEP-WCMC but this is not essential. Other desirable experience includes:
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Taking responsibility for an organisational or programmatic strategy, achieving its objectives and
evaluating its impacts.
Working in Southern Africa in the IGO, NGO, government or academic sector.
Negotiating and maintaining partnerships and alliances for project and programme
implementation.
Applying information and knowledge to influence policy.
Communicating technical issues to non-specialist audiences.
Representing an organization at various fora, including high-level meetings.
Implementing relevant projects and achieving deliverables in a cost-effective and timely fashion.
Fundraising and reporting to a variety of donors.
Administration of a programme or unit, including handling administrative, financial and
personnel issues.
Scientific (environment-development) advisory role in a national, inter-governmental or
corporate context.
Assessing capacity needs and addressing them.
Working remotely from a head office whilst maintaining strong communication and work
performance.
Working with a variety of national governments or regional entities worldwide.
Working with biodiversity-related treaties at global and / or regional levels.
Working elsewhere in Africa or in other developing country contexts.
To apply, please send your CV and a short covering letter to will.banham@unep-wcmc.org as soon
as possible. There is no deadline for applying and the position will be filled as soon as a suitable
consultant is identified.
Please note that this is not a UN contract and we can only accept applications from those eligible to
work as consultants in South Africa.
WCMC is a UK charity, based in Cambridge, which supports the United Nations Environment
Programme. We work in collaboration with UNEP, under the banner of UNEP-WCMC. Our mission is
to evaluate and highlight the many values of biodiversity and put authoritative biodiversity
knowledge at the centre of decision-making. Since our establishment in the 1970s, the Centre has
been at the forefront of the compilation, management, analysis and dissemination of global
biodiversity information, and has an outstanding record of achievement.
May, 2015