Biodiversity Specialist

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. UNDP’s mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

UNDP has been working with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) since its inception (1985) under different thematic areas such as Biodiversity Conservation, Natural Resources Management, Sustainable Land Management, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, and Chemicals and Waste Management.

In 2022, the fifteenth Conference of Parties (COP-15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), also known as the UN Biodiversity Conference, will convene governments from around the world to agree to a new set of goals for nature over the next decade through the post-2020 Global Biodiversity framework (GBF). The GBF builds on the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and sets out an ambitious plan to implement broad-based action to bring about a transformation in society’s relationship with biodiversity. The framework comprises 21 targets and 10 milestones proposed for 2030, en route to ‘living in harmony with nature’ by 2050.

Following the adoption of GBF at the COP-15, Parties to the CBD will work to align their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) including policy, monitoring and finance frameworks with the GBF of the CBD and relevant targets of other environmental agreements such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPAs), and Land Degradation Neutrality goals of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

India is a frontrunner and has updated its NBSAP in alignment with the KMGBF. India has also finalized 23 National Biodiversity Targets.

UNDP’s Biodiversity programme supports the Government of India in meeting national development objectives along with commitments under important multilateral environment agreements especially the Convention on Biological Diversity. The technical and policy support provided by the programme focus on institutional strengthening and building capacities to utilize natural resources in a sustainable way, while increasing resilience to climate variability and associated risks and impacts. The programme is also currently working on innovative financing mechanisms for ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation. The portfolio supports India’s engagement with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and other donors; and works with Central Ministries and state governments to implement various projects on biodiversity and ecosystem restoration among others. Currently all projects under the Biodiversity Programme are focussed towards implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and achievement of the twenty three targets.

Seeking to engage a Biodiversity Specialist who could support the Biodiversity Programme in implementation of the project activities and also coordinate with partner institutions such as the MoEFCC, NBA and State Biodiversity Boards.

• Provide support in coordination and communication in various engagements with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to ensure smooth implementation of biodiversity related programming anchored in MoEFCC, National Biodiversity Authority and State Biodiversity Boards
• Develop background notes, concept notes, presentations, briefings and other documentation on the development and implementation of activities and initiatives
• Contribute towards furthering the priorities of GoI and UNDP with respect to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other international conventions within the purview of the projects
• Support in the implementation of the NBSAP and guide the states in preparing their SBSAPs
• Provide support in finalization of the OECM guidelines and Seventh National Report
• Support the MoEFCC and UNDP in organising, managing and coordinating meetings, consultations, training programmes, social media campaigns, and other events with various stakeholders
• Support in identification and documentation of best practices and outcomes across thematic areas relevant to the projects and guiding teams in preparing dissemination material.
• Support in preparation of Annual Work Plans and Monitoring and Evaluation of Biodiversity Projects
• Any other tasks assigned by the Director, CS III Division Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Head, NRM and Biodiversity, ACE Unit, UNDP.