MTS International Consultant for NOWPAP MTS 2026-2029/30 Update

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) seeks an international consultant to support the update and finalization of the NOWPAP Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) for 2026-2029/30. The consultant will work with the NOWPAP Regional Coordinating Unit to develop a strategic and results framework aligned with UNEP and global environmental commitments, ensuring coherence with regional and global marine and coastal sustainability efforts.

Responsibilities

• Undertake an inception phase to confirm purpose, scope, methodology, consultation approach, and timeline for updating the NOWPAP Medium-Term Strategy (MTS).
• Compile and assess evidence through a focused desk review of strategic, operational, institutional, and technical documentation from NOWPAP and its RACs, complemented by relevant UNEP/Regional Seas corporate and regional guidance and selected global frameworks.
• Engage key stakeholders through consultations/interviews to validate evidence, capture perspectives on performance and relevance, and identify priorities and practical considerations for implementation.
• Analyze strategic alignment and gaps by assessing the coherence of NOWPAP’s current and proposed strategic direction with applicable global and regional commitments, UNEP subprogrammes, and Regional Seas Strategic Directions and indicator frameworks.
• Develop and refine the updated MTS 2026-2029/30 by revising and strengthening the MTS structure and content, clarifying thematic and cross-cutting areas and enabling elements, defining expected outcomes and implementation considerations, clarifying institutional roles and responsibilities, and strengthening alignment with relevant indicator frameworks.
• Support validation and finalization of the updated MTS by facilitating review/validation steps with the RCU, RACs, and selected stakeholders, incorporating feedback through revisions, and delivering the final MTS package including executive summary and annexes.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in a relevant discipline.
• First university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the field of programme/project management and coordination, planning and implementation of monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Demonstrated international/regional consulting experience in and/or professional background in the marine sciences and/or ocean governance.
• A minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience is required.
• Previous experience in the region is advantageous.
• Substantive experience in reviewing and evaluating international environmental projects, preferably those involving United Nations development agencies and/or other major donors.
• Experience with UNEP-coordinated Regional Seas Programme is an advantage.
• Good English writing and communication skills and demonstrated ability to assess complex situations in order to succinctly and clearly distil critical issues and draw well supported conclusions.
• An ability to assess policy and governance framework and institutional capacity.
• Understanding of governance, political, economic and institutional issues associated with transboundary water issues, specifically in the Northwest Pacific region is an advantage.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of one of the NOWPAP languages (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian) is an asset.

Skills

• Programme Management
• Project Coordination
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Marine Sciences
• Ocean Governance
• International Consulting
• Environmental Program Evaluation
• UNEP Regional Seas Programme
• Policy Assessment
• Governance Framework Analysis
• Institutional Capacity Assessment
• Transboundary Governance
• Strategic Planning
• Results Frameworks
• English Writing
• English Communication Skills

Languages

English