Through this Notification the Secretariat is seeking nominations for suitable candidates for the newly proposed COP-appointed Councillor subject areas of Terrestrial Mammals; Connectivity/Networks; Marine Pollution; Marine Fish; and Invasive Species (please refer to the background note on page 2 for further details).

Attached herewith are generic terms of reference for COP-appointed Councillors. Parties are invited to submit nominations in writing to the Secretariat, [email protected], copying  [email protected] and [email protected], by 10 January 2020. Candidates do not necessarily have to be nationals of the Party submitting the nomination, or even of a CMS Party. Candidates should be internationally recognized experts in the field which they are proposed to cover as COP-appointed Councillor. Nominations should include a statement justifying the candidature, a CV of the candidate, as well as a declaration by the candidate expressing its readiness to accept the appointment if selected.  Appointments will be initiatially for the intersessional period between COP13 and COP14 and can be renewed by each subsequent meeting of the COP for the following intersessional period.

The working languages of the Scientific Council are English, French and Spanish. Considering that Conference-appointed councillors are usually called to coordinate and/or chair working groups at Scientific Council meetings, normally operating in English without simultaneous interpretation, a good command of English is considered necessary to efficiently undertake the task. Knowledge of other working languages of the Council would be an asset.

The positions of COP-appointed Councillor are not remunerated.  Based on currently applicable rules and policies, and subject to availability of resources, the Secretariat will  cover the travel and living expenses related to the participation of the COP-appointed Councillors to meetings of the Sessional Committee of the Scientific Council (normally two in the intersessional period between two meetings of the COP) and of the COP (normally one meeting in a triennium).

The Secretariat will compile all nominations received and will make them available to COP13 as an addendum to document UNEP/CMS/COP13/Doc.15.1 Revision of COP-appointed Councillor Subject Areas. Prior to COP13, the Sessional Committee will consult electronically on the nominations received with a view to formulating its recommendations on the selection of candidates to the COP.

For further information or clarification on theCOP-Appointed Councillor subject areas and the nomination process, please contact the CMS Scientific Adviser Mr. Marco Barbieri [email protected].

ANNEX

INDICATIVE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR COP-APPOINTED COUNCILLORS

Functions and responsibilities (when applicable)

-     Contribute to the work of the Scientific Council (ScC) and its Sessional Committee (ScC-SC) by helping to:

*   Identify and formulate proposals/recommendations to address the conservation of migratory species, notably in the subject area for which he/she has been appointed, where appropriate through the development of draft Resolutions or Decisions to be submitted to the Conference of the Parties (COP) for consideration, or the revision of relevant existing Resolutions and Decisions;

*   Collaborate with the Secretariat and Chair of the ScC on the implementation of COP Decisions and items in the Programme of Work of the ScC-SC relating to the subject area for which he/she has been appointed;

*   Identify species for potential inclusion in the CMS Appendices, and where appropriate assist Parties in the drafting of proposals to amend the CMS Appendices for consideration by the COP;

*   Assist, and where appropriate promote, the development of proposals for Concerted Actions on CMS-listed species to be submitted to the ScC for review and to the COP for endorsement;

*   Report to the ScC on progress in the implementation of Concerted Actions for species for which he/she was identified as focal point within the ScC, or facilitate preparation of reports by other species focal points;

*   Contribute to the preparation and regular update of reports on the conservation status of CMS-listed species;

*   Report to the ScC on progress in the work of other organizations for which he/she was identified as focal point within the ScC;

*   Participate in ad hoc working groups established within the ScC to address specific issues;

-    Advise the Secretariat on the suitability of project proposals to be funded through the Small Grant Programme of CMS, and the technical evaluation of the outputs of the approved projects, notably for the subject area for which he/she has been appointed;

-    Participate in meetings of the ScC-SC (with travel and subsistence expenses covered by CMS, if necessary) - normally two meetings in a three year period- and act as Chair of the relevant taxonomic or thematic working group, if applicable

-    Upon request, participate in Meetings of the Conference of the Parties (with coverage by CMS of travel and subsistence expenses, if necessary) - normally one meeting every three years.

Language skills

The working languages of the Scientific Council are English, French and Spanish. As Conference-appointed councillors are often called upon chair working groups at meetings operating without simultaneous interpretation, a good command of English is necessary. Knowledge of other working languages of the Council would be an asset.