National Consultant – Monitoring Systems

Qualifications/special skills

• Minimum qualification of completion of High school diploma or equivalent is required.
  
• An advanced academic degree (Master’s degree) in biodiversity conservation, environmental sciences, ecology, or a similar field, is highly desirable.
  
• A minimum of 7 years' relevant professional experience in biodiversity monitoring, data analysis, and assessment is required.
  
• Strong knowledge of national and international frameworks, policies, and conventions related to biodiversity monitoring and conservation is required.
  
• Proven expertise in conducting assessments and evaluations of monitoring systems and frameworks is required.
  
• Familiarity with the local context and specific challenges of biodiversity monitoring in Montenegro is required. Excellent analytical, research, and report writing skills is desirable.
  

Qualifications/special skills

• Minimum qualification of completion of High school diploma or equivalent is required.
  
• An advanced academic degree (Master’s degree) in biodiversity conservation, environmental sciences, ecology, or a similar field, is highly desirable.
  
• A minimum of 7 years' relevant professional experience in biodiversity monitoring, data analysis, and assessment is required.
  
• Strong knowledge of national and international frameworks, policies, and conventions related to biodiversity monitoring and conservation is required.
  
• Proven expertise in conducting assessments and evaluations of monitoring systems and frameworks is required.
  
• Familiarity with the local context and specific challenges of biodiversity monitoring in Montenegro is required. Excellent analytical, research, and report writing skills is desirable.
  

The National Consultant – Monitoring Systems will assess the institutional monitoring systems and develop a plan for strengthening the national monitoring systems, with responsibility for the following:

• Conducting a thorough review of existing literature, reports, and databases related to biodiversity monitoring in Montenegro;
  
• Assessing the methodologies, indicators, and tools used for data collection, analysis, and reporting;
  
• Evaluating the institutional arrangements, including roles, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms among relevant agencies and stakeholders involved in biodiversity monitoring;
  
• Identifying gaps in data collection, analysis, and reporting, including geographical, taxonomic, and temporal coverage;
  
• Analysing the adequacy of existing monitoring frameworks for capturing changes in biodiversity and related ecosystems;
  
• Assessing the capacity and resources available for biodiversity monitoring, including technical expertise and financial support;
  
• Conducting consultations with key stakeholders, including government agencies, research institutions, NGOs, and local communities, to gather their perspectives and insights;
  
• Presenting the assessment report to the relevant stakeholders and provide clarification and guidance on the recommendations, objectives, and expected outcomes of the national monitoring system strengthening efforts;
  
• Developing a detailed plan for strengthening the national monitoring systems, including specific actions, timelines, responsible parties, and resource requirements;
  
• Providing guidance on the integration of innovative technologies, methodologies, and approaches for improved data collection, analysis, and reporting;
  
• Recommending mechanisms for enhancing institutional coordination and collaboration among stakeholders involved in biodiversity monitoring;
  
• Ensuring alignment of the monitoring plan with national and international frameworks, policies, and conventions related to biodiversity monitoring and conservation;
  
• Presenting the plan to the project team, national institutions, experts, and other stakeholders, incorporating their feedback and suggestions;
  
• Drafting related chapters of the updated NBSAP; Providing inputs to the updated NBSAP summary 1) for policy makers and 2) for public dissemination.  
  
• The National Consultant will work in collaboration with the other consultants engaged under Montenegro’s Early Action Support project.