Result of Service

A study on the technical aspects of the operationalization of the Clearing-House Mechanism under the BBNJ Agreement as outlined above.

Work Location

The Consultant will be home-based with possibility of travel (subject to availability of funding).

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), which was adopted on 19 June 2023 and will enter into force on 17 January 2026, establishes a Clearing-House Mechanism and provides for its various functions. The specific modalities for the operation of the Mechanism will be determined by the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement. In resolution 78/272 of 24 April 2024, the General Assembly established a Preparatory Commission to prepare for the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement and the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Agreement. The programme of work of the Commission is based on three clusters of issues discussed during the organizational meeting of the Commission, held in June 2024. One of these clusters addresses issues pertaining to the operation of the Clearing-House Mechanism, including the modalities for its operation, such as: (a) the type, architecture and functionalities of the platform; (b) the process for generating the “BBNJ” standardized batch identifier; (c) modalities to facilitate the matching of capacity-building needs with the support available and with providers for the transfer of marine technology, and to facilitate access to related know-how and expertise; and (d) terms of cooperation with relevant legal instruments and frameworks and relevant global, regional, subregional and sectoral bodies. Pursuant to resolution 78/272, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, through the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations and the Division, is providing the Preparatory Commission with the assistance necessary for the performance of its work, including the provision of essential background information and relevant documents. In that context, the Preparatory Commission considered, at its first session, held in April 2025, issues pertaining to the operation of the Clearing-House Mechanism under the Agreement, on the basis of a note by the Secretariat (A/AC.296/2025/6). With a view to providing essential background information to further support the work of the Commission with regard to issues pertaining to the Clearing-House Mechanism, the Division is seeking the support of a Consultant to carry out an additional study on the technical aspects of the operationalization of the Clearing-House Mechanism under the BBNJ Agreement. Under the overall supervision of the Director of the Division and a Principal Legal Officer, the consultant will report directly to a Legal Officer, with a Senior Legal Officer as the second reporting officer. The Consultant is expected to carry out a study on the technical aspects of the operationalization of the Clearing-House Mechanism under the BBNJ Agreement. The study will involve: a. Preparation of a stock-take study of existing clearing-house mechanisms and information-sharing platforms, including safeguards for traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, resources such as human resources, and cost-benefit analysis, as a source of information for developing the roadmap referred to in sub-paragraph (c) below for the operationalization of the Clearing-House Mechanism; b. Taking into account the stock-take study, as appropriate, a compilation of options to address technical requirements for the Clearing-House Mechanism, including on: i. Technical design requirements, such as ensuring that the Mechanism can work in areas with low connectivity or other access constraints, targeted alert systems, including proximity-based notification systems, and other characteristics as requested by delegations at the first and second sessions of the Preparatory Commission; ii. The generation and use of the “BBNJ” standardized batch identifier to operationalize the relevant provisions of Part II of the Agreement; iii. The most appropriate user system with differentiated access, possible verification and validation processes to achieve transparency in view of the objective of the Agreement; iv. The role that regional or subregional nodes could play in the Clearing-House Mechanism; v. Ensuring accessibility, including through a user-friendly interface, including tools for uploading and downloading notifications required under the Agreement; vi. Safeguards for the management of confidential information; vii. Ensuring that the sharing of traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities is done appropriately, including recognizing and respecting free, prior and informed consent and other relevant rights associated with that knowledge, particularly those of Indigenous Peoples, including in light of lessons learned on how other databases, repositories, etc., have addressed sharing of traditional knowledge and protection; viii. Enabling interoperability with clearing-house mechanisms and databases of relevant instruments, frameworks and bodies, including at the subregional level; ix. Any other technical design requirement which may arise in the operationalization of the functions of the Mechanism, including in relation to specific modalities for the operation of the Mechanism that may need to be determined by the Conference of the Parties at its first meeting in line with the Agreement. c. A draft road map for the phased operationalization of the Clearing-House Mechanism, setting out phases, goals and timelines for each phase, cost-analyses and resource requirements for the implementation of the road map, including human, technical and associated financial resources, with opportunities for user feedback to be incorporated at each stage. d. A draft workplan for the initial phase for the operationalization of the Clearing-House Mechanism, identifying specific activities, outputs and resources requirements. The Consultant will prepare part (a) of the study as well as the initial drafts of parts (b) through (d) of the study in accordance with the timelines described below, taking due account of any written input received from delegations to the Preparatory Commission through the Division. The Consultant will make any revision and will finalize the initial drafts of parts (b) through (d) of the study within the established timelines, duly addressing any comments received from delegations through the Division. The Consultant will also assist with the preparation of briefing materials, including presentation slides, on the drafts of the study, for use in any online briefings and in-person consultations. In carrying out the study, the Consultant may identify and engage any necessary external expertise, information sources or technical input, with prior agreement, as required, by the Division. Any costs incurred in this regard shall be the sole responsibility of the Consultant. All materials, including preliminary drafts, produced from this consultancy will be the property of the United Nations.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in information systems, computer science, data science, law, information management or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with additional relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five years of professional experience in fields relevant to clearing-house mechanisms and other information-sharing platforms is required. Experience in conducting analytical studies and preparing technical or policy-oriented reports, including stock-taking and comparative assessments, is required. Experience in managing stakeholder relationships within projects is required. General understanding and/or familiarity with the United Nations system or an intergovernmental context is desirable. Experience in project planning, resource mobilization, and financial aspects of digital infrastructure is desirable. Experience in preparing and delivering briefing materials and presentations for diverse audiences is desirable.

Languages

For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an advantage.

Additional Information

Competencies • Professionalism: Demonstrated expert knowledge of clearing-house mechanisms and other information-sharing mechanisms, including, among others, technical design requirements, systems interoperability, data and information management, data standards and metadata protocols, cybersecurity, user support services, resources requirements and mobilization, as well as mechanisms for monitoring, evaluation and continuous improvement, is required. Expert knowledge in the safeguarding and appropriate handling of traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities is required. Expert knowledge of unique identifier systems, including the design, generation, structure, life cycle management and interoperability of standardized identifiers, is required. Expert knowledge of system design for the matching of capacity-building needs with the support available and with providers for the transfer of marine technology, as well as for the assessments of the needs and priorities of developing States, is required. Expert knowledge of cooperation arrangements related to information and data exchange and system interoperability among relevant instruments, frameworks and bodies, and among and between relevant global, regional, subregional, national and sectoral clearing-house mechanisms, gene banks, repositories and databases, including those pertaining to relevant traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, as well as cooperation arrangements between those clearing-house mechanisms and publicly available private and non-governmental platforms, is required. Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies is required. Expertise in legal, regulatory and governance matters, such as the law of the sea, data confidentiality, intellectual property, data privacy and data governance, and contracts, is desirable. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Ability to work under pressure and in dynamic situations; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Ability to treat sensitive or confidential information appropriately. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. • Teamwork: Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships in a multicultural, multi-ethnic and political work environment. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve project goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex financial and policy-related information clearly and effectively; ability to interact positively with colleagues and stakeholders; proficiency in preparing high-quality reports, presentations and briefing materials tailored to diverse audiences. • Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.