Project Technical Support Associate National Biodiversity Strategy NPSA6 Vacancy-Job Ref: BJCLUNDP/2006/2025815

Project Technical Support Associate National Biodiversity Strategy NPSA6 Vacancy-Job Ref: BJCLUNDP/2006/2025815

Santiago (Chile)

Job Description

1. Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values ​​and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

2. Office/Unit/Project Description

The project “Chile – Update of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Seventh National Biodiversity Report” is part of the global program “Umbrella Programme to Support NBSAP Update and the 7th National Reports,” implemented by UNDP with GEF funding. Its main objective is to support the Government of Chile in updating its National Biodiversity Strategy (NBS) and preparing its Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), ensuring its alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This update represents a key step toward fulfilling the country’s international commitments to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

At the national level, the project is led by the Ministry of the Environment, with technical and programmatic support from UNDP Chile. Its implementation utilizes a highly participatory approach involving multiple stakeholders: sectoral ministries, subnational governments, academia, Indigenous peoples, civil society, and the private sector. Key components include the analysis of public policies and sectoral plans related to biodiversity and climate change, the development of a national action plan with a territorial focus, and the strengthening of monitoring systems by integrating trend indicators into ministerial platforms.

During 2025, the project has made progress in the technical review of regulatory and strategic instruments, in planning the public consultation on the National Biodiversity and Biodiversity Framework (ENB), and in coordinating with complementary initiatives such as the ratification of the Nagoya Protocol. It also includes specific actions to highlight the country’s progress in biodiversity and generate technical products to guide public policies. All of this is aimed at consolidating an updated roadmap to address the challenges of biodiversity loss and promote environmentally sustainable and equitable development in Chile.

To support this process, UNDP requires a Technical Support Associate for the “Chile – Update of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Seventh National Biodiversity Report” project who has knowledge of the country’s biodiversity instruments, participatory processes and methodologies, and knowledge of ecology.

3. Scope of work

The Technical Support Associate for the Project “Chile – Update of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Seventh National Biodiversity Report” will have the main objective of providing support to the Specialized Coordination Associate of the project in the planning and implementation of the processes and studies required for the execution of the aforementioned GEF project.

Its main functions include:

Technical and coordination support for updating the ENB and National Biodiversity Report
Support the Specialized Coordination Associate of the project in the planning, review and systematization of related technical documents and in the preparation of presentations and working materials.
Review technical documents related to the update of the Ministry of the Environment’s National Biodiversity Strategy (NBS), ensuring that they incorporate a gender perspective.

Analyze bibliography, public policy instruments, and the results of consultancies conducted by UNDP and the Ministry of the Environment in relation to the ENB, prioritizing instruments or documents useful to the process, which are provided by the Specialized Coordination Associate of the project or counterpart from the Ministry of the Environment.

Assist in the preparation of internal working documents related to the update of the National Biodiversity Strategy (ENB) of the Ministry of the Environment.

2. Methodological support for the development of participatory processes and inclusion of approaches
Identify methodologies for conducting collective work processes, considering the incorporation of a gender perspective.
Support coordination and methodological aspects that facilitate in-person processes and workshops during project execution.
3. Monitoring, follow-up and systematization of results and agreements
Support the process of inclusion and validation of target indicators for the update of the National Biodiversity Strategy (ENB) of the Ministry of the Environment in a collaborative effort with the project’s Specialized Coordination Associate.

Systematize agreements with the central Ministry of the Environment’s counterpart to design and implement update processes for the 2025 process closure, supporting the review, coordination, and verification of the results of ongoing consultancies and new ones to be carried out in 2025.
4. Operational management and institutional coordination
Actively participate in coordination and planning meetings between UNDP, MMA, and other relevant counterparts, collaborating in the review of progress and operational adjustments to required activities.
Support the execution of activities defined by the Specialized Project Coordination Associate in conjunction with the MMA within the framework of the project, ensuring alignment with objectives and deadlines.

Contribute to the development of intermediate products, such as notes, presentations, fact sheets, or other inputs that strengthen implementation.
Serve as an active counterpart for any consulting services that may be required, supporting and ensuring the coordination and delivery of information that enables the achievement of the established objectives.
Participate in face-to-face meetings when relevant and required by the Specialized Coordination Associate of the project
Other functions

The incumbent may perform other functions within his/her professional profile that are considered necessary for the proper functioning of the project.
4. Institutional Agreement

The contracted individual will work under the direct supervision of the Specialized Coordination Associate – Project “Chile – Update of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Seventh National Biodiversity Report”, under the Environment and Sustainable Development program area of ​​​​UNDP Chile, and will work in close collaboration and coordination with counterparts from the Ministry of the Environment.

The professional will support and strengthen the implementation of project activities, in accordance with the scope indicated in these Terms of Reference. For the adequate development of their duties, the contracted individual will perform their duties remotely; however, and for the same purpose, they must consider in-person attendance at UNDP Chile offices or other locations as required, in accordance with the activities planned within the framework of the project, during the contract period.

5. Competencies

Essential Competencies

Achieving Results – LEVEL 1 : Plans and monitors work, paying attention to detail, produces quality work on time.

Thinking Innovatively – LEVEL 1 : Open to new ideas, knows the risks, solves problems pragmatically, makes improvements.

Continuous Learning – LEVEL 1 : Open-minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.

Adapt with Agility – LEVEL 1 : Adapts to changes, handles uncertainty/ambiguity constructively, is flexible.

Act with Determination LEVEL 1 : Demonstrates control and motivation, able to face adversity calmly, confidently.

Participate and Associate – LEVEL 1 : Demonstrates compassion/understanding toward others, forms positive relationships.

Facilitating Diversity and Inclusion – LEVEL 1 : Appreciates/respects differences, is aware of biases, confronts discrimination.

Functional and Technical Competencies

Business Development – Knowledge Generation

Ability to research and transform information into useful knowledge relevant to the context or that addresses established needs. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations and develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that may be useful in addressing new situations.
Business Management – ​​Monitoring and Evaluation

Ability to systematically monitor the results of strategies, programs, and activities to ensure they are being implemented effectively. Ability to provide regular feedback to managers, key stakeholders, and interested parties on the consistency or discrepancies between planned and actual activities, and between planned performance and results.

Ability to make independent judgments on the management and results of strategies, programs, and activities based on established criteria (benchmarks), taking into account current and future client needs and concerns. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make independent judgments based on established criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client needs and concerns.
Business Management – Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Network and alliance management – Relationship management

Establish and maintain partnerships with broad networks of stakeholders, governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others, in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
Business Management – Communication

Communicate clearly, concisely, and unambiguously, both verbally and in writing; tailor messages and select communication methods based on the audience. Ability to manage internal and external communications through social media, media, and other appropriate channels.
Agenda 2030 – Planet – Nature

Ecosystem and Biodiversity: Positive Economy for Nature and Finance for Biodiversity.
Agenda 2030 – Planet – Nature

Ecosystem and biodiversity: Management of natural resources.
6. Minimum qualifications of an NPSA

Minimum academic education required

Complete secondary education is required.
A university professional degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the fields of Biology, Biological Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Earth Sciences or a related field will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.
Having a professional degree in the aforementioned areas will be considered an advantage .

Minimum years of relevant work experience

Minimum 6 years (with Secondary Education) or 3 years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of relevant experience.
Relevant experience shall be understood as the set of work experience that includes:Work experience in the design, planning, and coordination of biodiversity conservation projects, as well as in the preparation of technical reports and results systematization documents.
Work experience in activities with local communities and key stakeholders, facilitating participatory processes, and integrating a gender perspective into sustainable development and conservation projects.
Required skills and competencies

Advanced level of Office (Excel, Word and PowerPoint).
Proficiency in remote work tools such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom, cloud storage, and collaborative work tools.

Desirable skills and competencies

Have postgraduate studies (master’s degree or higher) in environment, ecology or a related field.
Work experience in environmental projects, ecosystem services assessment, and scientific methodologies applied to biodiversity conservation.
Knowledge and/or experience in environmental institutions, regulations, environmental public policies, and public management tools and instruments in the field.
Knowledge of environmental institutions and mechanisms for biodiversity conservation at the national and global levels, as well as gaps.
Work experience in or with international organizations, United Nations agencies and/or the UNDP in particular.

Required languages ​​(at work level)

Fluency in the Spanish language is required.
Intermediate knowledge and handling of the English language is desirable.
Professional certificates

Applicants will be required to provide certificates or other similar documents to prove their work experience in using the indicated tools.

7. Travel

Official national and/or international travel is planned for this position for outreach activities, training, activities with local communities, and exchange of experiences that contribute to expanding the project’s results and scope.

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