Consultancy to Support Delivering BirdLife Europe and Central Asia’s the Priorities of Nature and Climate Task Force in 2023

Application deadline
Tuesday, 21st March 2023 – 12:00 CET

Location
Brussels, Belgium

Contract
1 year fixed term with the possibility of extension

BirdLife International is a global Partnership of autonomous, national non-governmental conservation organisations, with a large grassroots membership, in 120 countries and territories. BirdLife works together as a Partnership to conserve wild birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, by working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources. BirdLife is the global authority on the status of bird species, has unparalleled technical expertise in bird and biodiversity assessment, and provides a global outreach through its national Partners and decentralised Secretariat.  

Stichting BirdLife Europe (BirdLife Europe and Central Asia) is the regional division of BirdLife International, and is one of the six BirdLife regional offices around the world. It is composed of an international team of permanent staff working on conservation, capacity building, policy, management, finance, fundraising, advocacy, science, communication, marketing and administration. BirdLife Europe supports the European and Central Asia Partnership of BirdLife International, which consists of 45 independent, grassroots Civil Society Organisations, governed by a democratic programme.

Joint work in the region to address the dual biodiversity and climate crises is carried out through the Nature and Climate Task Force (NCTF). It supports and coordinates the work of partners on nature protection and restoration, both in terms of policy, science and on-the ground nature conservation practices. It facilitates the exchange of information and experience, and the development and adoption of policy positions and strategies. The Task Force ensures that adopted BirdLife Europe policy positions and subsequent actions represent the views of the BirdLife ECA partnership and give a mandate to BirdLife Europe and Partner staff to communicate these to the EU and international Institutions and ensure they are included in BirdLife International global policy work.

The BirdLife ECA Nature and Climate Task Force (NTF) meets twice a year (once in person, once remotely), although considerable work is done in between meetings, facilitated by Hatch (BirdLife’s internal communication platform) and email lists.

BirdLife Europe is looking for a consultant to support the coordination of the Nature and Climate Task Force, who will specifically work with the Partners to guide them in their work. You will have a deep understanding of environmental challenges, interested in EU politics and be personally committed to tackling the nature and climate crisis.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB

Stichting BirdLife Europe is looking for a consultant to support the coordination between the Brussels level work and national level advocacy around European and global nature and climate policies, and their implementation. This person should notably support interested BirdLife Partners at national level.

The consultant should be available to start as soon as possible for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal.

TASKS

• Support the BirdLife Senior Nature Policy officer in the coordination of work with partners to advocate and implement nature conservation policies in the EU and Member States;
• Prepare, organise, and follow-up together with the BirdLife Europe Secretariat the NCTF meetings of the European and Central Asia, once remotely and once in person/hybrid;
• Support the development and advocacy of BirdLife positions and briefings related to nature policy at EU level towards EU Institutions;
• Support the secretariat in producing relevant information on positions, activities, and strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Relevant academic degree, with degrees in Environmental Sciences and Biology particularly relevant (additional work experience may be accepted in lieu of this);
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience with nature and conservation policy advocacy and implementation, at EU and at regional European and Central Asian level
• Prior experience with the BirdLife partnership an advantage.
• Experience on the implementation of nature conservation policies at national level an advantage
• Have a sound grasp of the operation of EU institutions, and relevant Environmental International Agreements
• Ability to understand and present, in written and oral form, policy documents
• Have excellent communications skills;
• Speak and write English fluently. Other European or Central Asian languages are considered an asset.

BirdLife OFFERS

BirdLife can provide €24 790 (excluding VAT) for the above-mentioned consultancy over a period of 12 months of work, including money for travel expenses.

Any offers received that do not respect the upper limit will be automatically excluded from the evaluation procedure.

The price for the tender must be quoted in Euros. Tenderers from countries outside the euro zone have to quote their prices in euro. The price quoted may not be revised in line with exchange rate movements. It is for the tenderer to assume the risks or the benefits deriving from any variation.

TENDERING

Prospective consultants are invited to submit proposals before 21^st March 2023, 12:00 CET. The proposals, including CV should be sent to [email protected] and [email protected] (by email only)specifying the following:

• Number of person days they would be ready to provide over 12 months 
• Competence/experience of the person who would actually be providing the service;
• Daily rate and total proposed budget, VAT excluded 
• Commitment to pursue the aforementioned objectives for the duration of the project and availability for a potential second year of engagement (funding dependent);
• Readiness to travel in Europe and Central Asia for Task Force meetings.
• Date when the consultant would be able to start.