Technical Advisor

Application period 16-May-2025 to 26-Jun-2025

Functional Responsibilities:

The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership is a country-led global initiative to support the development and implementation of ambitious National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) and collectively achieve the goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and, ultimately, the global vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050. Under the leadership of the governments of Colombia and Germany, the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership brings together countries with a Whole of Government and a Whole of Society approach to strengthen global, regional, and national ambition on biodiversity action. The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership is raising the profile of NBSAPs and promoting nature-positive action, fast-tracking implementation support through a matchmaking service, increasing access to expertise, knowledge, and capacity development, and providing coordination and facilitation support to countries/regions.

UNOPS is seeking a Technical Advisor – Environmental (Facilitator) to advance the Global Programme on Nature for Development's work with the effective delivery of assigned tasks below.

The Technical Advisor – Environmental (Facilitator) represents the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership but is embedded in relevant ministry or regional institution to support and fast-track NBSAP implementation. The facilitator will act as a bridge between the host government and the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership.

The in-country facilitator of the NBSAP Acceleration Partnership plays a crucial role in supporting the implementation of NBSAPs aligned with the GBF. The primary objective is to facilitate the identification and prioritization of NBSAP needs, mobilize support, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and accelerate NBSAP implementation through a Whole of Government and Whole of Society approach.

Duties and responsibilities include:

Assess NBSAP Landscape:

• Identify and monitor country/region-specific biodiversity priorities, capacity needs/demands, and implementation challenges, including high-level stakeholder mapping.
• Facilitate national, multi-stakeholder dialogues.
• Develop a comprehensive work plan with goals, objectives, activities, and timelines for NBSAP support in collaboration with the host government/institution.
• Monitor progress and provide ongoing support as needed.

Mobilize Support:

• Identify specific needs and requests such as technical capacity, financial resources, and political will.
• Assist in designing and developing support requests through a Whole of Government & Society approach.
• Submit support requests to relevant stakeholders via the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership matchmaking mechanism or other platforms.
• Support the selection of support packages and monitor their implementation.
• Support resource mobilization efforts.

Coordinate Action:

• Foster alignment among initiatives to ensure a Whole of Government and Society approach, leveraging efforts across the Rio Conventions.
• Support strengthening and monitoring of national structures for NBSAP implementation.
• Share global best practices, guidance, tools, and learning materials locally and with other facilitators.
• Coordinate knowledge exchange opportunities, including peer-to-peer, south-south, north-south, and triangular exchanges.
• Facilitate coordination among partners and link activities to ensure alignment and avoid duplication.

Monitoring and Progress Controls:

• Maintain regular communication with host country National Focal Points and the Country Engagement Coordinator.
• Prepare periodic reports on NBSAP implementation, milestones, lessons learned, and recommendations.
• Prepare quarterly financial reports on expenditures.

Education/Experience/Language requirements:

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

*CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master's) in environmental science, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, or related field with 7 years of relevant experience, OR
• First-level university degree (Bachelor) in a related field with 9 years of relevant experience.

Required Experience:

• Experience in biodiversity conservation, project management, facilitation, stakeholder engagement, or related areas.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience with NBSAPs, CBD, and other biodiversity frameworks.
• Experience working with regional or international organizations.
• Proven track record with government, civil society, and international partners.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in a second UN official language is desirable.

We encourage diversity and equal employment opportunities, welcoming women and underrepresented groups, including racialized, indigenous, minority gender identities, sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.