UN Convention on Biological Diversity Position - URGENT

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for 'sustainable development'. One of the key agreements adopted at Rio was the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The Convention establishes three main goals: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal and is administered by UNEP.

Under the overall guidance of the Executive Secretary and in consultation with the heads of the
CBD divisions, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks:
1. Undertake a research with a view of engaging the civil society;
2. Prepare a strategy for engaging Non-Governmental Organizations in the implementation of the threefold objectives of the Convention;
3. Assist in the establishment of a Heads of Agencies Task force of NGOs for achieving the 2010 target;
4. Act as Liaison Officer with NGOs;
5. Mobilize the Canadian civil society for the implementation of the threefold objectives of the Convention;
6. Act as focal point for NGOs accredited to the CBD;
7. Act as focal point for Canadian NGOs;
8. Act as a focal point for the women biodiversity network.

Remuneration: The Gross Salary for this position is CAD $40,814 per annum and Net Salary of CAD $32,443 per annum