Capacity-building Expert

The Capacity-building Expert will assist the CITES Secretariat in supporting the intersessional working group on the capacity-building framework by preparing background papers, developing and analyzing surveys, and assisting in organizing consultations and workshops to improve implementation of the Convention.

Responsibilities

• Prepare a background paper including mapping of existing and past CITES capacity-building activities and initiatives, review of existing capacity-building frameworks by relevant international organizations and multilateral environmental agreements, compilation of lessons learned and good practices, and identification of possible elements and approaches for the framework.
• Develop a survey for CITES Parties and other relevant stakeholders to collect information on existing capacity-building support and initiatives, priority needs, key gaps, and preferred types and formats of support.
• Analyse the results of the survey and prepare a summary report of the findings for consideration by the Secretariat and the intersessional working group.
• Assist the organization of regional consultations and/or technical workshop(s) to support the development of the capacity-building framework, as appropriate.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in environmental policy, conservation, social sciences, public administration or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in capacity‑building, institutional strengthening, or related fields within international environmental governance, preferably in the context of MEAs or intergovernmental processes is required.
• Demonstrated experience conducting analytical reviews, mapping exercises, or comparative assessments of frameworks, tools, or institutional mechanisms is required.
• Proven experience designing, administering and analyzing structured surveys for governments, international organizations or multilateral processes is required.
• Demonstrated experience coding open-ended survey responses, conducting thematic analysis, and synthesizing qualitative and complex information into clear, well-structured written outputs using recognized analytical tools or software is required.
• Familiarity with the functioning of multilateral environmental agreements, ideally including CITES, CBD, FAO, IPBES or related bodies is desirable.
• Previous involvement in developing or assessing capacity building frameworks for MEAs, UN agencies or international organizations is desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of CITES or other multilateral environmental agreements; Strong technical expertise relevant to capacity-building frameworks; Ability to exercise discretion, diplomacy and political sensitivity in a multi-stakeholder environment; Strong sense of responsibility, independence and initiative in delivering agreed outputs; Ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially.
• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.
• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments and adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently.
• Ability to–within the constraints of the United Nations rules and regulations–propose solutions to improve programmes or services and to offer new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; Ability to come up with unusual ideas and to think "outside the box"; Interested in new ideas and new ways of doing things.

Skills

• Capacity-Building Initiatives
• Institutional Strengthening
• International Environmental Governance
• Analytical review
• Mapping Exercises
• Comparative assessments
• Survey Design
• Survey Administration
• Survey Analysis
• Coding open-ended responses
• Thematic Analysis
• Qualitative Information Synthesis
• Written Reporting
• Multilateral Environmental Agreements
• CITES Convention knowledge
• Capacity building frameworks
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Project Planning
• Risk Management
• Client Relationship Management

Languages

English, French, Spanish