Consultant - Edible Orchid Specialist

1. List of key edible orchids to prioritize for the development of identification materials; 2. A document containing information on tuberous orchids in international trade, including images and forms in which it is traded, to be used to develop awareness-raising material. 3.Identification sheets for a minimum of 15 key species in international trade within the genera Disa, Habenaria and Satyrium used for chikanda production.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between states. It aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The CITES Secretariat is administered by UN Environment and is located at the Geneva duty station.

This assignment is part of the CITES Secretariat’s implementation of the programme of work of the CITES Parties. The specialist will undertake tasks related to compiling information for awareness-raising materials and developing identification materials for specimens of key edible tuberous orchid species from southern Africa used in international trade for chikanda production. The work will contribute to the implementation of Decision 20.237 paragraph a) i) on Edible tuberous orchids and will assist Parties with the implementation and enforcement of Appendix-II requirements relating to the international trade in species used for chikanda production, including key species in the following Genera: Disa, Habenaria, Satyrium.

Under the overall supervision of the CITES Secretary-General and the direct supervision of the Chief, Science Unit, the Edible Orchid specialist will:

• Produce information on tuberous orchids used for chikanda that are found in international trade, for use by the Secretariat in awareness-raising materials. This should include images of orchid tubers in the various forms in which they are traded, to assist Parties in distinguishing orchid tubers from other commodities in trade; and
• Prepare identification materials for key species in international trade within the genera Disa, Habenaria and Satyrium that are used for chikanda production, based on the guidance contained in the Annex to Resolution Conf. 19.4 on Materials for the identification of specimens of CITES-listed species.
• Identify the key species based on the information contained in the report “A Review of the Edible Orchid Trade” and associated annexes; an analysis of the CITES trade data; expert knowledge on the use of specific species in chikanda production; and consultation with the Secretariat, relevant members of the Plants Committee and the nomenclature specialist; and
• For the key species identified above, develop draft identification material, for consideration by the Secretariat.

Academic Qualifications: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in natural sciences (botany), natural resources management, environmental sciences, forestry, agroforestry or related fields is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience: Five years of relevant experience in natural sciences (botany), natural resources management, environmental sciences, forestry, agroforestry or related fields is required; Demonstrated experience in botanical matters, including the research and identification of tuberous orchids is required; Demonstrated experience contributing to or supporting work related to tuberous orchids in Southern Africa is required.

English,Spanish and French are the working languages of the CITES Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in English is required; Working knowledge of Spanish and/or French is desirable.