Consultant to Conduct a Technical Study on Access and Benefit-Sharing related to the Utilization of Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Digital Sequence Information

The consultant will deliver a technical study on experiences of indigenous peoples and local communities regarding access and benefit-sharing frameworks related to genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and digital sequence information. The work includes preparing draft and final technical studies and action plans, facilitating peer review processes, and analyzing inputs from stakeholders to support the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a desk review of relevant literature, national access and benefit-sharing measures, and existing case studies.
• Analyze documented experiences and inputs from indigenous peoples and local communities through a regionally balanced analytical approach, incorporating case studies and experiences from different geographic and socio-cultural regions.
• Identify cross-cutting trends, best practices, and implementation gaps.
• Prepare a first draft of the technical study and plan of action for review by the Secretariat.
• Support the peer review process, including compiling and analyzing comments and inputs from Parties, indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant stakeholders.
• Prepare the final technical study and a draft plan of action, ensuring that the final outputs are clear, accessible and implementation oriented.

Requirements

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in law, environmental policy, biodiversity, international relations, social sciences, development studies or a related field is required.
• A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A minimum of five (5) years of work experience in areas related to biodiversity policy, traditional knowledge, access and benefit-sharing, environmental law, international policy process is required.
• Experience conducting technical research, policy analysis and drafting analytical reports is desirable.
• Experience working on access and benefit-sharing related to genetic resources, traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources and digital sequence information on genetic resources is desirable.
• Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to define the scope and context of study and plan of action for Tasks 3.1 and 3.2 of the programme of work on Article 8(j) and identify appropriate analytical approaches.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of genetic resources, traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources and digital sequence information on genetic resources as well as their relevance to indigenous peoples and local communities.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to work with minimal supervision and to deliver results within agreed deadlines required.

Skills

• Biodiversity Policy Understanding
• Access and Benefit-Sharing
• Environmental Law
• International Policy Process
• Technical Research
• Policy Analysis
• Analytical Report Production
• Genetic Resources Knowledge
• Traditional Knowledge Expertise
• Digital Sequence Information
• Indigenous Engagement
• Stakeholder Analysis
• Study Design and Planning
• Article 8(j) Programme Knowledge
• Technical Study Preparation
• Peer Review Facilitation
• Environmental Policy
• Social Science Research

Languages

English