The Umbrella Programme to Support NBSAP Update and the 7th National Reports will support countries in revising and updating their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to align with the recently agreed Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) and enable effective implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at the national level. In addition, this grant supports countries in preparing and submitting their 7th National Report on the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the KM-GBF. This Global Programme will be responsive to CBD guidance on developing NBSAPs and completing the 7th National Report, including recent COP15 outcomes and decisions. It will also build upon existing work through the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (GBF-EAS) that is ongoing, as well as support to countries to develop biodiversity finance plans through the recently approved “Umbrella Programme to Support Development of Biodiversity Finance Plans.” The project implementation units of all three initiatives will coordinate to ensure that resources from both projects are used effectively and efficiently towards the update or revision of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans and the preparation of the 7th National Reports in the targeted countries.

A Biodiversity Spatial Planning Specialist is being sought to collaborate with the Project Technical Coordinator and the Technical Biodiversity Specialist in integrating spatial planning into the 7th National Report and updating the NBSAP.The specialist will lead data collection and analysis on spatial planning integration for the 7th National Report, aligned with Target 1 of the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework. Additionally, the specialist will pilot integrated spatial planning in marine and coastal areas and develop indicators to monitor its integration into the updated NBSAP.

• Review reports, guidelines, spatial plans, and technical tools of line ministries, especially MoWE and our client related to spatial planning, biodiversity conservation, and natural resource management in Yemen;

• Support the analysis of legal and policy frameworks to assess spatial planning provisions; 

• Assess achievements, gaps, and overlaps in the past and on-going spatial planning efforts by government ministries, UN Agencies, development partners; in coastal and marine areas;

• Identify key policy challenges, institutional gaps, governance barriers, and capacity constraints that affect effective spatial planning integration into biodiversity conservation;

• Provide institutional and policy recommendations to strengthen spatial planning governance under the NBSAP framework;

• Engage with key stakeholders (e.g., government agencies, technical working groups, development partners, civil society) to validate findings and collect inputs;

• Participate in technical consultations, workshops, or meetings as required;

• Provide inputs to the 7th National Report including the spatial planning assessment, developed indicators, identified challenges, and actionable recommendations;

• Provide technical inputs to ensure recommendations are integrated into the 7th National Report and aligned with Yemen’s biodiversity and development strategies, programmes and priorities;

• Identify and utilize key global and national spatial datasets that account for the explicit multidimensionality of marine systems to: (1) address marine policy priorities on biodiversity and ecosystem services; (2) identify zoning for nature-based actions in the marine realm such as protect, manage, and restore.

• Develop Spatialized action plan for marine and coastal areas in Yemen.

• Develop a set of robust indicators to monitor and measure the integration of spatial planning into the updated NBSAP;

The Biodiversity Spatial Planning Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager

• Doctorate degree preferably in geography, conservation sciences, environmental management/sciences, geo-information science, remote sensing / earth observations, and/or other closely related field is required.

• A Master’s degree in the above-mentioned field can be accepted in lieu of the PhD degree.

• At least 7 years of professional experience (9 years with MSc Degree) in biodiversity conservation, spatial planning, land-use planning, or natural resource management;

• Experience with open-source GIS and spatial database software, including, GDAL/OGR, Google Earth Engine is an advantage;

• Experience with Systematic Conservation Planning is an advantage;

• Demonstrated experience conducting policy and institutional assessments, preferably related to spatial planning;

• Proven experience developing monitoring indicators or performance frameworks in the context of environmental or biodiversity strategies; and

• Familiarity with Yemen’s environmental policy landscape, national biodiversity strategies, and relevant international frameworks (e.g., CBD, KM-GBF).

• Proficiency in English & Arabic both Oral & Writing.

This role does not have team management responsibility

Interested qualified and experienced consultants must apply through the CTG website and should submit their detailed CVs, including past experience in similar assignments.