CONSULTANT FOR NATURAL HERITAGE PROJECTS IMPLEMENTATION AND COMMUNICATION OUTREACH

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The UNESCO World Heritage Convention brings together almost all countries of the world around a common objective of conserving the most exceptional natural and cultural sites. One of the core missions of the World Heritage Centre of the UNESCO Culture Sector (CLT/WHC) is the pursuit of long-term conservation of biodiversity and sustainable development through the fullest and broadest application of the World Heritage Convention by all relevant stakeholders, from site level individuals to global organizations. Key tasks of the Natural Heritage Unit of the World Heritage Centre include the monitoring of the state of conservation of sites by providing technical assistance, and building capacity in the States Parties through a series of projects on the ground that enable bringing together governments, local communities and indigenous people, private sector and many other stakeholders. Part of the Natural Heritage Unit, the mission of the World Heritage Marine Programme is to ensure effective conservation of existing and potential marine areas of Outstanding Universal Value so they will thrive for generations to come. The Programme has three main areas of focus to fulfill its mission: monitoring sites’ conservation status, connecting a flagship network of site managers, and building resilience and climate adaptation capacity.

Long Description

Within the framework of the implementation of the World Heritage Marine Programme’s extrabudgetary projects “Building climate change resilience for coral reefs in UNESCO World Heritage marine sites”, “Renforcer la protection des sites du patrimoine mondial marin de l’UNESCO- Phase 2”, and the joint CLT/IOC project “eDNA Expeditions in marine World Heritage sites. Engaging citizen-scientists in revealing the richness and vulnerability of biodiversity for the conservation of UNESCO sites in a changing climate”, the World Heritage Marine Programme is launching a call for expressions of interest from qualified and experienced specialists to contribute to the projects’ implementation and communications outreach.

A. In the framework of the project “Building climate change resilience for coral reefs in UNESCO World Heritage marine sites” and under the direct supervision and guidance of the Marine Programme Coordinator, the incumbent shall more specifically:

Long Description

1. Provide technical expertise to support the implementation of the project activities, including:

a) developing a short technical review to identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learnt from the project activities in order to develop additional content for communications,

b) providing technical inputs to support the development of content on resilience and climate adaptation for the resilience plans, in particular with regards to the protection of sites’ Outstanding Universal Value,

c) providing inputs and recommendations on the development of content to support the design and implementation of a strategic communication plan aimed at positioning the five pilot sites as global leaders in climate adaptation and coral reef resilience,

d) attending the project calls and meetings, and support the maintaining of good relations with the partners of the projects and key stakeholders, including ICRI, throughout the duration of the contract,

e) contributing to the development and implementation of the online webinars and meetings with marine managers on topics relevant for RRI and coral reefs related topics,

f) contributing to the reflection to expend RRI to other World Heritage marine sites.

Long Description

2. Provide technical expertise to support the content management of the communications activities of the project, including:

a) providing inputs to document and widely disseminate success stories, lessons learnt and best practices from the project, with a focus on getting more content together from the on-the-ground work for the Resilient Reefs Initiative (RRI) webpage,

b) providing technical inputs to the drafting, preparation, revision and editing of content for UNESCO and World Heritage Centre websites and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) while ensuring systematic, timely and excellence in the production and quality of the materials,

c) assisting in editing or updating the content of the RRI webpage when needed to ensure projects’ material is consistent, attractive, and up to date,

d) gathering media material to keep track of published information relating to the RRI for donor reporting.

B. In the framework of the project “Renforcer la protection des sites du patrimoine mondial marin de l’UNESCO- Phase 2” and under the direct supervision and guidance of the Marine Programme Coordinator, the incumbent shall more specifically:

1. Provide technical expertise to support the implementation of the activities under objective 2 of the project, including:

a) facilitating the development and implementation of a workshop with global experts to explore opportunities for financing through the use of blue carbon assets to support and enhance the conservation of Outstanding Universal Value of marine World Heritage sites and preserve them for future generations,

b) delivering feedback and recommendations for the content of the project webpage.

C. In the framework of the project “eDNA Expeditions in marine World Heritage sites. Engaging citizen-scientists in revealing the richness and vulnerability of biodiversity for the conservation of UNESCO sites in a changing climate” and under the direct supervision and guidance of the Marine Programme Coordinator, the incumbent shall more specifically:

1. Provide technical expertise to support the implementation of activity 10 under Output 3 of the project, including:

a) providing inputs and recommendations on the development and dissemination of a short publication summarizing the results of the environmental DNA sampling expeditions in marine World Heritage sites,

b) delivering feedback and recommendations for the content of the project webpage.

Deliverables and timeline:

The list of deliverables is set out below. The Individual Specialist shall submit in electronic format, for approval by UNESCO:

• Monthly summary reports describing the progress in the activities undertaken as specified in A.1.a to C.1.b and in delivering the outputs related to the work assignment by the end of each month. The progress reports will include the following deliverables:

1. A short technical review as mentioned in article A.1.a (max. 4 pages),
2. Recommendations on the development of content to support the design and implementation of a strategic communication plan as mentioned in article A.1.c (max. 3 pages),
3. Recommendations on the implementation of the workshop as mentioned in articles B.1.a (max. 3 pages),
4. Recommendations on the development and dissemination of the short publication as mentioned in articles C.1.a (max. 3 pages),
5. Recommendations for the content of the projects’ webpages as mentioned in articles A.2.c B.1.b and C.1.b (max. 4 pages)

• A final report summarizing the activities carried out, achievements, challenges and lessons learnt over the contract period.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• University degree or Master degree in environmental science, climate science, sustainable development, natural sciences, or related field.

Work Experience

• At least 4 years of relevant professional experience in environment, climate change, sustainable development, environmental policy or natural sciences, preferably at the international level.

Languages

• Fluent oral and writing skills in English. Basic or good knowledge of French. Both languages will be needed for the implementation of the work.

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of natural World Heritage
• Demonstrated knowledge and applied experience in the field of climate change for World Heritage

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to implement project communication and publications strategies
• Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies
• Excellent communication skills, excellent writing skills
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize issues and analyze data to compile and synthesize information in coherent and succinct formats
• Excellent coordination and organization skills
• High attention to detail, proactivity and ability to work under tight deadlines
• Dedicacy, ability to work efficiently in a multi-cultural environment and team spirit