Result of Service
IRI country programs in Brazil, Colombia, DRC, Indonesia and Peru are fully supported to deliver impactful work on education, training and awareness raising; mobilizing action in areas of the countries where forests face the greatest threats; and advocating for policies that protect forests and the rights of indigenous peoples and the achievements contribute to UNEP program of work on forests, climate and the rights of indigenous peoples, and vice versa.
Work Location
Home Based
Expected duration
12 Months
Duties and Responsibilities
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative (IRI) is an international, multi-faith alliance convened by UNEP that brings moral urgency and faith-based leadership to global efforts to halt and reverse tropical deforestation. It is a platform for all religious leaders and faith communities to work shoulder-to-shoulder with indigenous peoples, governments, civil society and business on actions that protect tropical forests and safeguard those that serve as their guardians.
Multi-religious cooperation is essential for halting and reversing tropical deforestation. The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative is making the protection of rainforests and the rights of indigenous peoples a shared moral concern and religious priority. The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative works both globally and in five program countries – Brazil, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia and Peru – which contain more than 70% of the world’s remaining tropical forests.
The initiative has three primary goals: (i) educate and raise awareness about the deforestation crisis and equip religious leaders with the science, educational tools, and training needed to serve as effective advocates for rainforest protection; (ii) mobilize faith-based action by connecting religious leaders with allies from across sectors to multiply their collective impact; and (iii) influence policy and advocate for governments and companies to adopt, fulfill and expand upon their commitments to protect rainforests and the rights of the indigenous peoples that serve as their guardians.
This position is based in the UNEP office in Panama. The technical advisor will work under the guidance of the Senior Advisor IRI, and the overall supervision of the CMU/UN-REDD Global Team Leader.
The consultant will perform the following tasks:
- Develop IRI country programs through annual strategies, action plans and timelines, ensuring linkages with relevant UNEP programs, priorities and initiatives, campaigns, and policy priorities of indigenous peoples, particularly in the Amazon.
- Develop policy analysis and strategy, identifying entry points to influence relevant policies and legislation in five IRI country programmes.
- Coordinate the planning and agenda-setting for Advisory Council meetings, to ensure activities are advancing existing efforts to protect forests and the rights of indigenous peoples.
- Develop a draft concept document, partnerships, and strategy around establishing a ‘protecting the protectors’ program in each IRI program country, including facilitating linkages with key indigenous peoples leaders and organizations.
- Coordinate IRI country programs fundraising roundtables, coordinating with NICFI/Norway focal points in each country to convene donor governments and other philanthropic groups committed to forests, climate and the rights of indigenous peoples
- Establish and maintain a community of practice, including scheduling, programming and translating for regular meetings between IRI country programs that share lessons learned and transfer best practices
- Formulate monthly written updates on IRI country program and global activities, progress and achievements, linking with relevant team members to support the preparation of IRI global partner updates, global IRI newsletters, news updates for the IRI global website, and all narrative reporting
- Draft IRI country and global reports prior to their finalization, including PIMS reports
- Lead the translation of key documents, educational materials, and correspondence for IRI, as well as provide interpretation for regularly scheduled calls and IRI events, where needed.
Qualifications/special skills
- A master’s degree in social or environmental sciences or law is required.
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in project management is required.
- Experience working on forests, climate, and the rights of indigenous peoples is required.
. - Experience working with faith-based organizations is desirable.
- Experience working with various stakeholders in Brazil, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia and Peru is desirable.
- Experience working with international organizations is desirable.
Skills:
- Strong, proven project management skills.
- Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
- Ability to convene partners and facilitate consensus.
- Ability to coordinate a wide range of different outputs and partners.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of any other official UN languages would be an asset.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
