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Ref.
2022/RER/7447

Job offer type
Experts

Type of contract
Service contract

Activity sectors
Sustainable development

Deadline date
01/10/2024 23:59

Duration of the assignment
Beaded expertise

Duration
3 years

Mission description

Ecological restoration of ecosystems as a nature-based solution is central for improving degraded ecosystem’s health and the well-being of local communities by providing or upregulating nature contributions benefits for people. Scaling up these restoration actions to reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide is the challenge posed to the world by The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), aiming to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent species’ mass extinction.

The Post 2020 Biodiversity Framework – EU support Phase 1 has highlighted the importance of embracing an integrated approach to foster better choices in ecosystems’ restoration, and reflect it in the Post 2020 biodiversity framework to elevate its level of ambition (see publication: https://4post2020bd.net/resources/expertise-on-23-integrated-approach-better-choices-for-restoring-ecosystems/). The latest draft global biodiversity framework now provides in its target 2 that at least 20 per cent of degraded freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems are under restoration, ensuring connectivity among them and focusing on priority ecosystems.

Yet, there is not enough practical take-up of the multiple benefits delivered by ecosystems’ restoration for nature and people, including in terms of socio-economic development, human health and environmental impact as nature-based solutions contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation and biodiversity conservation. Efforts remain to be taken to ensure that the key conditions for the successful implementation of ecosystems restoration. Stronger and bolder stakeholders’ engagement for the spatial planning of restoration, from indigenous people and local communities (IPLCs) to national governments, local and subnational governments (SLNGs), international organizations, science, civil society, and the private sector. In particular, indigenous and local knowledge can be incorporated in the planning, execution, and monitoring of restoration activities, with IPLCs co-designing restoration activities affecting their territories, ensuring both their short-term direct benefits and long-term support of the maintenance of restored areas. SLNGs must also be involved in restoration planning process requires a multi-level governance mechanism for the monitoring of restoration plans outcomes. Tight vertical coordination across the different levels of governments is key not only to ensure that dedicated local financing mechanisms are developed but also to restore urban ecosystems and place green spaces at the heart of urban planning. Science and academia needs to be further mobilized for the development of scientifically-based scenarios for decision-makers.

 

The project will thus implement a strategy focused on bridging these gaps, showcasing best practices and solutions to ensure that ecosystems’ restoration reach its full potential as part of the global biodiversity framework implementation.

Expertise France is building a pool of experts with competences on all aspects of ecosystems’ restoration that could be mobilized on this and other potential projects.

Post 2020 Biodiversity framework – EU support tasks

Within the context of the Post 2020 Biodiversity Framework-EU support project, experts could be solicited to deliver the following tasks (indicative list):

  • Monitor and synthesize policy, legal and technical developments of other international fora/instruments on the development of large-scale ecosystems’ restoration targets, particularly as part of the UN Decade on Ecosystems’ Restoration;
  • Assist in the strategic thinking process on biodiversity integration on ecosystems’ restoration;
  • Prepare and organize multi-stakeholder dialogues, online training courses (MOOC) and other technical and policy meetings and webinars on ecosystems’ restoration;
  • Develop and prepare technical and policy documents, and facilitates coordination among multiple projects and organizations on ecosystems’ restoration;
  • Design and conduct research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support outputs’ development (toolboxes, studies, 4 pager publications, videos, infographics, etc.);
  • Contribute to the technical assistance and capacity building activities organized with partner countries on this theme bringing technical advices and solutions;
  • Ensure the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within partner countries and other stakeholders, such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, and on-line tools;
  • Promote international cooperation, advocate best practices, promote increased policy dialogue and provide technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings;
  • Gain exposure and access to relevant policy sectors stakeholders and business sectors networks to be leveraged by the project.

Other types of expert’s missions

More broadly within the context of other projects, the experts could be invited to participate in various missions all across the project’s development and implementation cycle as follow.

Mission type 1: support project development

In the phase of developing Expertise France’s service offer, the experts could be invited to (indicative list):

  • analyze the project’s context and identify beneficiaries’ needs: participate in exploratory missions, collect information, review documentation, produce analytical reports and concept notes, propose partnerships;
  • support the drafting of EF’s technical offers for tenders submissions (description of action narratives, etc.) taking into account the proposals and expectations of stakeholders:
    • identify objectives of the project, as well as relevant components and activities to address them;
    • develop tools to monitor and evaluate the project: theory of change, logical framework, including the identification of relevant indicators to measure the project’s impacts;
    • contribute to developing the project’s budget while ensuring coherence with the narrative offer and activities;
    • support in the identification of relevant experts for the implementation of activities.
  • coordinate working sessions between EF and stakeholders;
  • consolidate project documents involving all stakeholders.

 

Mission type 2: policy analysis and recommendations

During the implementation of a project by EF, the experts could be asked to (indicative list):

  • conduct a diagnosis of national and regional policy frameworks: interviews with stakeholders, documentary review, field visits, production of analytical reports.
  • frame recommendations and design activities to answer identified needs and assess the means for their implementation (assessment of needs in equipment, man-days, expert profiles, etc.).

 

Mission type 3: project activity implementation

During the implementation of a project by EF, the experts could be asked to (indicative list):

  • implement activities (for example: design trainings, train trainers, facilitate working groups, conduct an assessment of the framework, etc.);
  • prepare study visits: identify persons to meet, prepare an agenda, coordinate the study visit, collect on-site data and documentation;
  • conduct or participate in project evaluations in order to: identify the project’s strengths and weaknesses, assess the relevance, efficiency, impact and sustainability of the project under EF’s evaluation standards, appreciate the quality of the activities and the partnerships, formulate strategic recommendations;
  • as team leader:
    • manage and monitor the implementation of the global strategy and the project’s coherence;
    • coordinate dialogues with stakeholders (beneficiaries, partners, funders at all levels of policy, etc.);
    • conduct the project’s monitoring and reporting, develop and update management tools (dashboards, indicator monitoring, etc.), identify risks and suggest corrective measures, produce monitoring reports, capitalize on project’s activities, coordinate and produce the project’s narrative reports;
    • Coordinate the project’s human resources (project team, coordination of expertise missions, etc.);
    • Coordinate the implementation of activities and ensure their conformity with the project’s objectives and timeline.

Expected results

Deliverables will be detailed in the terms of reference to be developed for each specific mission and project.

Project or context description

Expertise France, the French technical cooperation agency, designs and implements projects that sustainably strengthen public policies in developing and emerging countries. Governance, security, climate, biodiversity, health, education are among its core activities. It operates in key areas of development and contributes alongside its partners to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a world in common. With an activity volume of 237 million euros, over 500 projects running in 100 countries and 63,000 days of expertise delivered every year, Expertise France provides partner countries with knowledge, skills and management expertise. Through its work, the agency promotes French and European development policy goals. Expertise France is endowed with dedicated Agriculture and Biodiversity Units, including a wide array of projects. 

Among them, Expertise France implements the 2nd Phase of Post 2020 Biodiversity Framework – EU support. As during its 1st Phase, this EU-funded project will continue to focus on fostering ambitious commitments at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 15), to be held in 2022 with a wide variety of activities – workshops, knowledge products, campaigns and partner dialogues. However, it will shift its goal to support an early operationalization of the ensuing Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and an effective implementation of the related COP decisions. The Project aims to (1) inspire actors from various levels of governments as well as stakeholder and non-State partners to take bold commitments on biodiversity action, (2) contribute to unveiling the opportunities related to ambitious biodiversity action and (3) trigger the implementation of concrete solutions on key transformative issues and potential gaps in the Global Biodiversity Framework to be adopted by CBD COP 15.

Required profile

Skills:

  • University Degree preferably at Master’s level in spatial planning, forestry, economics, geography, environmental policy, international relations, political sciences, development cooperation, project management, or any related field. A PhD will be an asset;
  • Extensive knowledge and understanding of technical and policy matters related to ecosystems’ restoration;
  • Full fluency in English, both written and spoken; Proficiency in French as the working language at the agency’s headquarters will be a strong asset, as well as other UN official (Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Arabic) or any additional language;
  • Computer literacy and IT savviness: text processing tools, spread sheet tools, financial and planning tools.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills including teamwork, results focus, knowledge sharing;
  • Excellent writing skills.

 Experiences:

  • Work experience in the development or implementation of projects in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions and also involving national and subnational governments, scientific organizations and the private sector is desirable;
  • Extensive and relevant experience in the preparation of technical and policy documents, guidelines and manuals on ecosystems’ restoration;
  • Extensive knowledge of developments in translating and scaling up local efforts and best practices at the national level and promoting them in relevant international fora  - Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem  Services (IPBES), etc. - and demonstrated capacity to coordinate advocacy efforts and engagement with a range of stakeholders (IPLCs, SLNGs, governments, UN organizations, NGOs, Academia, private sector);
  • Ability to develop goals, plans, and new ideas required to thrive in a competitive, changing environment, and to identify and anticipate threats and vulnerabilities to guard against and opportunities for pursuing matters related to ecosystems’ restoration;
  • Demonstrated ability to prepare, organize and monitor consultative multi-stakeholder processes and/or inter-governmental and/or technical meetings;
  • Demonstrated skills and experiences in leading multidisciplinary teams and networks related to biodiversity practices, policies, standards, systems, indicators, and in providing support to national and subnational governments and the private sector.

Additional information

The experts who are interested in integrating the pool of experts are invited to upload their CV highlighting trainings, skills and experiences relevant to this call. No motivation letter is required at this stage.

The submission of an application to integrate the pool of experts does not engage the expert nor Expertise France who will specify the conditions of their collaboration for each specific mission.

The call will remain opened until the end of the project activities on October 1rst 2024 at 23:59pm (Paris time).

For any additional information please contact nicolas.thomas@expertisefrance.fr.

Selection criteria for applications

The selection process for candidates will be based on the following criteria :

  • Candidate’s training/diplomas related to the expert assignment
  • Assessment of the candidate's skills in the sought-after domain
  • Candidate’s understanding of the mission’s role in the cooperation project

Deadline for application : 01/10/2024 23:59

Expertise France is the public agency of French international technical cooperation. The agency operates around four priorities:

  • democratic, economic and financial governance;
  • security and stability of countries in crisis/post-crisis situations;
  • sustainable development;
  • strengthening health systems, social protection and employment.

In these areas, Expertise France carries out engineering and implementation missions for capacity building projects, mobilizes technical expertise and acts as an aggregator of projects involving public expertise and private know-how.

With an activity volume of 233 million euros, more than 400 projects in portfolio in 80 countries, and 63,000 days of expertise, Expertise France focuses its action towards France’s solidarity policy, influence and economic diplomacy.

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