Un-habitat: biologist – rio de janeiro

Overview

The Biologist reports to the Head of the Brazil Office and will support the second phase of the Viva o Verde SP project, focused on the development of environmental action plans for ten parks in São Paulo.

Work Location

São Paulo (SP), Brazil

Expected Duration

Eight (8) months

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan all consultancy activities and coordinate the project schedule.
• Review and analyze existing documents for the ten parks in São Paulo.
• Participate in all meetings and workshops (ten workshops) with civil society and specialists to support action plan development.
• Conduct field work and collect primary and secondary data at each of the ten parks.
• Evaluate available secondary data, identify missing data, and assess feasibility for primary data collection.
• Develop environment‑related content (texts, diagrams, graphics, images) for the park management plans.
• Complete all courses and training activities required by the supervisor, including the BSAFE security course.
• Deliver four products: a workplan and diagnostic indicators framework; pilot assessment reports for two parks; detailed assessment reports for the remaining eight parks; and environmental action plans for all ten parks.

Qualifications

• Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in Biology or related field.
  • Postgraduate degree in Biology or a related field, or an additional four years of relevant experience.
• Experience
  • Minimum seven years of experience in urban biology, environmental assessment, protected areas, park management or urban environmental planning in Brazil.
  • Experience organizing and leading fieldwork.
  • Experience facilitating participatory workshops (desirable).
  • Experience in environmental policy, urban sustainability, and green public spaces (desirable).
  • Previous UN System experience (desirable).
• Skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office.
  • Knowledge of data collection and analysis (desirable).
  • Experience with geospatial software (ArcGIS or QGIS) (desirable).
• Competencies
  • Professionalism, project management, monitoring‑evaluation, good urban governance.
  • Planning and organization, strong sense of responsibility, works independently.
  • Communication: clear writing, active listening, reporting to diverse audiences.
  • Teamwork: collaborates across cultures, conflict management, sensitivity to vulnerable groups.
• Knowledge Management
  • Understanding of UN‑Habitat processes, procedures, and norms.
  • Ability to prepare and maintain project databases and documentation.
  • Ensures confidentiality of produced information.
• Languages
  • English and French – working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
  • Spanish – working language of the Regional Office.
  • Fluency in Portuguese is required; working knowledge of Spanish and English is desirable.

Additional Information

• Travel – consultant must be available to travel within Brazil as required.
• Remuneration – Part‑time (85%) with total net amount of BRL 82,000, paid in four installments tied to the delivery of Products 1 through 4.