Biodiversity Adviser

The position is responsible to the Director, through the Programme Manager – Island Ecosystems, for the performance of the following primary duties:

•  Convention on Biological Diversity and other Partnerships

•  Provide technical and policy advisory support to Pacific island countries (PICs) on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) processes (e.g., CBD Island Biodiversity Programme of Work and the Programme of Work on Protected Areas) and other biodiversity related Convention and International Agreements.

•  Support PICs in the development and implementation of national biodiversity strategies and actio n plans and compilation of national reports to the CBD, and provide other technical backstopping, support and guidance to PICTs on biodiversity matters.

•  Assist PICs to develop regional positions in preparation for convention-related meetings, including the organisation and convening of regional preparatory meetings for CBD Conference of the Parties, and support at SBSTTA and COP meetings as required.

•  Develop new partnerships and maintain and strengthen existing partnerships to support PIC and territory policies and activities to conserve biodiversity, including existing agreements and collaboration with partners, including BirdLife International, Conservation International, IUCN, TNC, Pacific Biodiversity Information Forum and the Global Island Partnership.

•  Advise PICTs on the linkages between biodiversity and climate change and seek and secure funding opportunities that support initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience of ecosystems and species to the predicted impacts of climate change.

•  Represent SPREP and liaise with sub-regional programmes such as the Micronesia Challenge and the Coral Triangle Initiative, to strengthen cooperation and coordination.

•  Provide advice to PICs on matters pertaining to developing and implementing projects funded by the GEF under the biodiversity Operational Programmes.

•  Action Strategy for Nature Conservation in the Pacific Islands Region

•  Facilitate PICT participation in the implementation of the Action Strategy in its current iteration for 2008-2012.

•  Participate in, and provide guidance to, the Roundtable (RT) for Nature Conservation and relevant working groups of the RT.

•  Collaborate with RT partners to support efforts to ensure that the RT, and implementation of the Action Strategy, achieves its objectives and is monitored and evaluated – including reviews and updates as required.

•  Assist partners to secure funds to support the maintenance of the Roundtable process and Action Strategy monitoring and evaluation.

•  Coordinate the planning, organizing of, and fund raising for the 9 th Conference on Nature Conservation in the Pacific Islands region scheduled for 2012.

•  Programmatic coordination on biodiversity issues

•  Advise SPREP Management and POs on matters pertaining to prioritizing Secretariat’s resources to support biodiversity work in countries.

•  Collaborate with and advise other work areas of the Island Ecosystem Programme and the Pacific Futures Programme on biodiversity issues to ensure a coherent organisational approach, including biodiversity-related climate change, capacity building and education and social communication issues and initiatives.

•  Collaborate with all programme areas in the development and design of funding initiatives that support biodiversity objectives in the region.

•  Provide advice to the Secretariat and Members on conservation targets in the Pacific Plan and NBSAPs and their implications for programmatic and project delivery and how they can be monitored and achieved.

•  Staff management

•  Supervise and guide the delivery of outputs of the Invasive Species Officer and the Island Biodiversity Officer; and other short term contractors and programme staff that may be appointed to implement biodiversity priorities of SPREP Members from time to time.

•  Other duties as may be directed from time to time by the Director or his designated representative

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential:

•  Masters degree in biodiversity-related environmental science, environmental management, resource management or related natural science discipline; or Bachelor degree in lieu, with applied relevant work experience in excess of the minimum required relevant work experience.

•  At least 10 years relevant work experience with at least 5 years work experience at a senior level.

•  Proven strategic advisory, coordination, analytical, communication and facilitation skills.

•  Proven ability to establish effective partnerships to achieve successful outcomes.

•  Proven knowledge of nature conservation related conventions relevant to the region and

conservation issues in the Pacific island countries and territories.

•  Proven ability to develop policy strategies and programme proposals and have them implemented effectively.

•  Ability to undertake work programme planning and budgeting, deliver on agreed work programme outcomes and work as part of an interdisciplinary and multicultural team.

•  Familiarity with GEF and other multilateral and bilateral funding arrangements for biodiversity in the Pacific region.

•  Proven knowledge of and working experience with the Convention on Biological Diversity and familiarity with other relevant multi-lateral environment agreements; understanding of the work of the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation and other regional conservation initiatives would

be an advantage.

Highly desirable:

•  Experience working in the Pacific islands region

Applications

Applications should include:

•  A detailed curriculum vitae containing full personal details (birth date, gender, nationality, marital status, number of dependents and age/s, health status, home address, and full contact numbers); qualifications and experience relevant for the position; previous and current appointments with salaries, names and contact addresses/numbers/E-mail of three professional referees who are prepared to provide testimonials.

•  A statement to address how each Essential Selection Criteria is met.

•  Available references from at least three recent employers and/or supervisors.

•  Indication of possible starting date if successful.

All applications to be clearly marked “Application for Biodiversity Adviser” and addressed to:

The Acting Director

SPREP                                                       Telephone:    (685) 21 929

P O Box 240                                                Fax:     (685) 20 231

Apia                                                             Email:           SPREP@sprep.org

Samoa

Closing date and time is close of business on Friday, 24 July 2009. Late applications will not be considered.

For further enquiries, visit http://www.sprep.org/vacancies/BiodiversityAdviser.htm; the Personnel Officer can be contacted on telephone (685) 21929 ext 230 or Email: luanac@sprep.org