Indigenous Peoples' Engagement in NBSAP Process Consultant

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the world's 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 environment.

This consultant role focuses on strengthening the engagement and participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in Kenya's National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP) process.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant is expected to deliver the following eight outputs, which collectively define the scope of the assignment:

Output 1: Inception Report

A report outlining the assignment’s methodology, stakeholder engagement strategy, activity timeline, and expected deliverables.

Output 2: Legal and Policy Review

A review of relevant Acts of Parliament and national legal frameworks supporting Indigenous Peoples’ involvement in biodiversity conservation and NBSAP implementation.

Output 3: Analytical Report on NBSAP Targets and IPLC Participation

A report analysing Kenya’s NBSAP targets to identify alignment with Indigenous Peoples’ biodiversity and ecosystem goals and assessing IPLCs’ participation and contributions in NBSAP implementation, including key challenges and opportunities.

Output 4: Gap Analysis

A report identifying gaps in monitoring and socio-economic data on biodiversity action by Indigenous Peoples, with proposed mechanisms to address these gaps for effective NBSAP implementation and reporting.

Output 5: Stakeholder Engagement Synthesis

A synthesis report of consultations with NGOs, CSOs, IPLC organizations, and the National NBSAP Coordination Committee, capturing insights, challenges, successes, policy needs, and recommendations for strengthening IPLC engagement.

Output 6: Draft Strategy for IPLC Engagement

A proposed strategy for engaging IPLCs in the NBSAP process through the National NBSAP Implementation Coordination Mechanism, with actionable steps for institutional integration.

Output 7: Tools and Plans for Strengthening IPLC Engagement

A document including:

• Proposed indicators to measure IPLC contributions to NBSAP targets;
• A capacity-building plan to enhance IPLC participation in monitoring and reporting; and
• A communication plan to raise IPLC awareness of their role in NBSAP implementation.

Output 8: Final Report and Presentation

A consolidated final report and presentation outlining the full framework for IPLC engagement in NBSAP implementation, including actionable steps, timelines, responsible entities, and annexes with the strategy, communication plan, and capacity-building plan.

Qualifications/Special Skills and Experience

• An advanced university degree in biodiversity conservation, international development, environmental science, management or behavioural sciences or a closely related field is required. (A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree).
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in biodiversity conservation and demonstrable experience working with indigenous groups is required.
• Experience in facilitating local community groups’ meetings and partnership building in diverse multi-stakeholder environments is required.
• Experience with the NBSAP implementation process in Kenya is required.
• Demonstrable experience in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity or related activities is required.
• Proven experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and participatory processes with Indigenous communities, with a strong understanding of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and ethical engagement practices is required.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of international frameworks (CBD, UNDRIP, KMGBF) and national Kenyan policies related to Indigenous Peoples, land, and environment is desirable.