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. 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.
UNEP’s Office of Science is responsible for providing authoritative, integrated and coherent scientific input to inform policy and address interconnected environmental challenges, with an emphasis on evidence-based solutions and measurable impact. The Office strengthens UNEP’s scientific capacity, capability and science-policy interfaces by enhancing processes for generating, synthesizing, and applying robust, interdisciplinary evidence to drive effective action for environmental sustainability. This consultancy is managed by UNEP’s Office of Science.
The mission of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) is to safeguard the global environment by supporting developing countries in meeting their commitments under several multilateral environmental agreements. The Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) provides independent scientific and technical advice to the GEF on its policies, strategies, programs, and projects. STAP (https://www.stapgef.org) is hosted by UNEP’s Office of Science and comprises a Chair and six Panel Members, each aligned with a GEF focal areas: biodiversity, climate mitigation, climate adaptation, land degradation, international waters, and chemicals and waste.
The roles and responsibilities of the Chair, Panel Members, and STAP Secretariat are formally set out in STAP’s Terms of Reference (March 2012), which are currently under review.
STAP is seeking a Chair with exceptional academic and technical credentials; a strong commitment for addressing global environmental and sustainable development challenges; and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary manner, integrating natural and social sciences with policy to tackle complex environmental and socio-ecological issues.
Responsibilities of the STAP Chair
The main responsibilities of the Chair are to provide intellectual and strategic leadership for the Panel, Scientific Leadership to the GEF Partnership, and to oversee the Panel’s work. Acting as a science-policy manager, the Chair bridges the gap between the GEF’s operational needs and the broader global scientific community.
In addition, Chair will:
I. Ensure that the best available, high quality and relevant scientific and technical advice is provided to the GEF.
II. Mobilize scientific and technical networks and partnerships to support the work of the GEF.
III. Develop and implement STAP’s Work Plan.
IV. Hold monthly STAP teleconferences and STAP in-person meetings.
V. Develop and present a report to the biannual GEF Council Meetings and STAP’s quadrennial report to the GEF Assembly.