Contractor on Indigenous Peoples and Peasant’s Rights and Biodiversity Conservation

OHCHR-Mexico will have an evidence-based assessment of opportunities for Indigenous and peasant-led biodiversity conservation through ADVCs, concrete recommendations for rights-based engagement with communities and institutions, and a fundable preliminary concept for a longer-term initiative, potentially supported by the Kunming Biodiversity Fund.

Mexico City

01/12/26-31/03/27

Under the supervision of OHCHR-Mexico, the consultant will identify practical opportunities to strengthen the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, and biodiversity conservation in Mexico. The assignment will focus on Áreas Destinadas Voluntariamente a la Conservación (ADVC), particularly those governed or managed by Indigenous or peasant communities (mostly ejidos), and explore relevant links with Indigenous Peoples’ Justice Plans (Planes de Justicia), coordinated by the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI), as well as other Justice and Development Plans coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). The work will inform future OHCHR technical cooperation and lay the groundwork for a potential proposal to the Kunming Biodiversity Fund.

• Review relevant legal, policy and institutional frameworks related to indigenous and peasant-led conservation management in Mexico.
• Map Indigenous and peasant-managed ADVCs and select illustrative experiences, considering territorial governance, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, traditional knowledge and sustainable use of natural resources.
• Identify opportunities, obstacles and capacity needs for Indigenous and peasant-led conservation, including tenure and territorial protection, community decision-making, benefit-sharing, financing and institutional coordination.
• Examine opportunities for synergies with commitments on territorial protection, natural resources and environmental justice under relevant Planes de Justicia.
• Engage, as feasible and in coordination with OHCHR, Indigenous communities and representative institutions, peasants, INPI, SEMARNAT and relevant environmental and conservation authorities, and other stakeholders.
• Develop actionable recommendations and potential areas for OHCHR technical cooperation, respecting Indigenous and peasant governance and priorities.
• Prepare a project concept note for possible submission to the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, including objectives, activities, indicative budget, partners, risks and sustainability considerations.
• Present findings to OHCHR-Mexico, incorporate feedback and provide final deliverables.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, human rights, environmental sciences, conservation, natural resource management, public policy, anthropology, development studies or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Minimum seven years of relevant professional experience in Indigenous Peoples’ rights, UNDROP, biodiversity conservation, environmental governance, sustainable territorial management or related fields. Experience in participatory research, multi-stakeholder consultation and preparation of technical or project proposals is required. Demonstrated professional experience in human rights is required. Experience analysing biodiversity conservation, natural resource management or environmental policy and translating findings into practical recommendations is required Experience conducting consultations or participatory work with Indigenous communities, peasant communities and engaging relevant public institutions is required. Strong analytical and drafting skills, including preparation of technical reports or project documents is required.. Direct knowledge of Mexico’s community or Indigenous conservation initiatives is desirable. Experience with the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is desirable. Experience preparing funding proposals is desirable. Experience working in Mexico and with UN agencies or human rights institutions is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written Spanish and English are required for this job. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

Not available.

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.