The Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP—https://www.stapgef.org) provides independent scientific and technical advice to the Global Environment Facility (GEF—https://www.thegef.org/) on its policies, strategies, programs, and projects. It comprises a Chair, Panel Members (covering climate mitigation, climate adaptation, biodiversity, land degradation, international waters, and chemicals and waste), and senior advisors. It is supported by a Secretariat that provides substantive and operational assistance in delivering the Panel’s responsibilities. The roles and responsibilities of the STAP are set out in its Terms of Reference.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) hosts the STAP Secretariat on behalf of the GEF Partnership and acts as the liaison between the GEF and the STAP. The STAP Chair reports to the GEF Council.
The STAP is seeking a Panel Member to lead its work on Biodiversity. This position requires an understanding of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the GEF Biodiversity Strategy, and the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) Programming Directions.
Candidates should have outstanding academic and technical credentials, a passion for tackling global environmental and sustainable development challenges, and a demonstrated ability to work in an interdisciplinary manner that integrates environmental science, social science, and policy to address complex socio-ecological problems.
Panel Members provide intellectual leadership in their area of expertise and are expected to work effectively across the GEF’s focal areas, including advising on crosscutting issues and integrated programming outside their area of expertise.
Women and candidates from developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.
Panel Members contribute substantively to the delivery of STAP’s program of work. Specific responsibilities include:
1. Provide leadership in formulating high-quality advice and bring rigor to strategic and operational issues of the GEF.
2. Play an active role in developing and implementing STAP’s work program, including: a. drafting advisory papers, b. convening and participating in expert meetings/consultations, c. representing STAP at GEF-related events.
3. Review GEF project proposals for technical and scientific soundness and provide advice on enhancing their scientific quality and maximizing the delivery of global environmental benefits and co-benefits.
4. Contribute to the biannual STAP Chair’s report to the GEF Council and the STAP quadrennial report to the GEF Assembly.
5. Contribute to GEF’s corporate activities, including responding to ad hoc requests for advice, training, and participating and providing expert advice at workshops and meetings.
6. Mobilize scientific and technical networks and partnerships in support of STAP’s work.
7. Participate in two STAP meetings annually, monthly STAP teleconferences, and other ad hoc STAP events (virtual or in-person).