Consultant: Science, Technology and Innovation

Result of Service

The purpose of the consultancy is to support the science, national reporting and capacity building strategy agendas of the UNCCD while ensuring the timely delivery, technical accuracy and coherence of CST and CRIC work programme outputs are critical to the successful conduct of COP17. The final expected result is the effective implementation of the STI unit’s work programme in 2026 by providing timely and high-quality technical, substantive, administrative, and logistical support in line with the overall objectives and work programme of the STI unit and the UNCCD secretariat.

Work Location

Bonn office.

Expected duration

9,5 months Between March and December 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities

Background note: Desertification, along with climate change and the loss of biodiversity were identified as the greatest challenges to sustainable development during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The Convention seeks to support countries to address Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought (DLDD). (www.unccd.int) The Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) unit serves the two subsidiary bodies of the Conference of the Parties (COP), namely the Committee on Science and Technology (CST) and the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC). In addition, the unit functions as the hub to facilitate and realize capacity building and innovation initiatives across the Convention. In this regard, the STI unit facilitates the realization of some of the core functions of the UNCCD through the provision of information and advice on scientific and technological matters relating to desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD), supports national reporting of Parties, and facilitates capacity building towards successful implementation of the Convention. In the lead-up to the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17), the workload of the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) unit is expected to increase significantly with respect to the work programmes of both subsidiary bodies. This includes the preparation of regional workshops for national reporting, supporting the work of the UNCCD’s Science-Policy Interface, and the preparation official documentation for the seventeenth session of the CST (CST17) and the twenty-fourth session of the CRIC (CRIC24), following up on mandates detailed in COP16 policy decisions (https://www.unccd.int/sites/default/files/2025-03/2424652E.pdf), particularly decision 2/COP.16 (capacity building), decision 4/COP.16 (national reporting), decision 7/COP.16 (future strategy), and decisions 15 to 22/COP.16 (science). Supporting the science, national reporting and capacity building strategy agendas of the UNCCD while ensuring the timely delivery, technical accuracy and coherence of CST and CRIC work programme outputs are critical to the successful conduct of COP17. With the aim of aiding the Science, Technology and Innovation unit, the consultant will provide support in the technical aspects of current unit activities and in preparations for COP17. These activities include facilitation of the upcoming meetings related to CST and CRIC work programmes, and supporting the CST and CRIC Secretaries in the preparation of CST17 and CRIC24 sessions including official documents, and supporting the STI logistically and substantively through meeting organization, background research, writing and communications support on substantive topics related to the STI unit. Duties & Responsibilities: Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Science, Technology and Innovation Unit of the UNCCD (OIC) and the direct supervision of the Chief Scientist, and working collaboratively with all staff and relevant partners, the incumbent will undertake the following duties: 1. UNCCD national reporting: (a) Assist with the organization and logistical coordination of regional capacity-building workshops, including communication with participants and procurement of services; (b) Assist with the setup and management of virtual meeting and the preparation and dissemination of invitations and participant communications; (c) Support the operation of the national reporting helpdesk and identifying frequently asked questions for documentation and follow-up, under the guidance of the reporting team; (d) Assist in the design, setup, and administration of online surveys for countries on national reporting–related matters, including supporting the dissemination of surveys and the compilation of responses, to inform the organization of the regional capacity-building workshops and the preparation of a panel session at CRIC 24. 2. Preparation for and delivery of CST17 and CRIC24: (a) Provide administrative, substantive and technical support to the CST Secretary and the CRIC Secretary in the preparation of official documentation for CST17 and CRIC24, including draft decisions, background papers, information notes, presentations, and meeting reports, in line with UNCCD standards and timelines; (b) Assist in the organization and delivery of CST and CRIC sessions at COP17, including support for plenary meetings, Bureau meetings, contact groups, and joint CST–CRIC sessions, including tracking draft decision developments and follow-up actions, as well as preparation of summary notes and internal briefing materials for the CST and CRIC Secretaries and STI management; (c) Supporting intergovernmental negotiations, coordinating the organization of meetings and preparing related documentation (i.e., briefing and information notes, agenda, presentations, meeting reports); and (d) support coordination with Conference Services and relevant stakeholders. 3. Capacity building: (a) Provide substantive and administrative support to the capacity building and innovation agenda of the UNCCD; (b) Assist in the ongoing development of a capacity building strategy for the UNCCD; (c) Facilitate the provision of substantive input for the CRIC24 capacity building official document, gathering inputs from across all substantive units of the Secretariat, the Global Mechanism and the G20 Land Initiative; (d) Assist in the establishment of an updated work programme for future capacity building efforts across these same units. 4. Other duties: Perform any other job-related activities required to achieve the goals and objectives of the STI unit, and the UNCCD secretariat.

Qualifications/special skills

- Advanced university degree (master’s or above) in social sciences, economics, public administration, international relations or other sustainable development field is required - A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation, or a related area, preferably in the United Nations Common System or an international organization is required. - Proven experience in drafting, editing, and proofreading United Nations official documents and correspondence is required, with demonstrated ability to produce clear, accurate, and well-structured written outputs in accordance with institutional standards is also required. - Strong interpersonal skills, a collaborative team spirit, and the ability to work effectively with Parties, experts, and external stakeholders are required. - Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS SharePoint, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required. - Knowledge of international cooperation concerning topics or processes relevant to this assignment, such as sustainable land management, drought mitigation or resilience-building, as well as multilateral environment convention processes is desired. - Excellent planning, organizational, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines, are essential. - Experience in international cooperation concerning the SDGs. Knowledge of land degradation neutrality will be an asset.

Languages

- Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Only individuals who can act as independent, individual economical operators are qualified to apply. Individuals who can provide their services only on account of an institution or enterprise are not eligible under this procedure. Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations Secretariat and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultant and individual contractor is responsible for determining tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

No Fee

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.