Senior Gender mainstreaming and policy consultant

Result of Service

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide senior-level technical, strategic, and coordination support to the GPARC Unit on gender equality, with a particular focus on implementing the UNCCD Gender Action Plan and its roadmap in 2026 and delivering key gender-related processes linked to COP 17. By the end of the contract, priority gender activities are implemented in a timely and coherent manner, gender perspectives are consistently reflected in UNCCD processes and negotiations, and practical guidance is in place to support continuity beyond the assignment.

Work Location

Hybrid (Office and Home-based)

Expected duration

07 months, starting as soon as possible.

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). Further, the promotion of gender equality is both central to UNCCD’s mandate and a priority within the organization’s activities. In decision 30/COP.13 Parties to the UNCCD adopted a Gender Action Plan (GAP) recognizing that all aspects of DLDD have gender dimensions and call to further mainstream gender equality and empowerment of women and girls into desertification/land degradation and drought-related policies and activities, as appropriate, to implement the Convention and the UNCCD 2018−2030 Strategic Framework. During COP 15, held in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, in May 2022, Parties adopted decision 24/COP.15 on gender, approving a proposed roadmap for the implementation of the Gender Action Plan and requesting the secretariat to support Parties to that end through policy recommendations, as well as advocacy and direct support to the recently formalized Gender Caucus, which will serve to guide further mainstreaming of gender equality and empowerment into DDLD activities through the Convention. At COP16, Parties reaffirmed the importance of continuing the implementation of the GAP, holding Gender Caucuses and building capacity of Women delegates to COPs. In the lead to COP17 in Mongolia, UNCCD is seeking a Senior Gender Expert Consultant who will ensure that UNCCD’s work applies the most-up-to date global perspectives on gender equality and pushes UNCCD to be gender transformative in all actions. In this context, the Senior consultant is expected to support the implementation of donor-funded projects for integrating gender equality into the UNCCD, including the effective use of resources and timely reporting, and to ensure the effective management and implementation of ongoing and planned gender-related activities in 2026 internally and externally, as well as to provide substantive advice and support to strengthen gender mainstreaming across the Convention. A special focus will be placed on the planning, preparation, coordination, implementation, delivery, and follow-up of gender-related activities in the context of the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 17), to be held from 17-28 August 2026 in Mongolia. This requires a strong understanding of the UNCCD’s mandate and operational work, complemented by demonstrated expertise in gender equality and practical approaches for integrating gender perspectives into ongoing processes and activities. Strong planning and organizational skills are also essential. Duties & Responsibilities: Under direct supervision of the Chief of the Global Policy, Advocacy and Regional Cooperation unit (GPARC) the Senior Gender Consultant will perform the following responsibilities and tasks: - Provides substantive support to the implementation of donor-funded projects for integrating gender equality in the UNCCD, including adequate use of resources and reporting. - Supports and guides the implementation of the UNCCD Gender Action Plan and its corresponding roadmap, including by leading the organization of periodic Gender Caucus meetings and training for women delegates. - Ensure the effective implementation including follow up of ongoing and planned gender-related activities in 2026 internally and externally, as well as to provide substantive advice and support to strengthen gender mainstreaming across the Convention. - Provides inputs and support the resource mobilization and partnership efforts of the Secretariat to support the implementation of the gender equality workstream and its related actions. - Drafts, edits and provides substantive results-based inputs for briefings and speeches on women & DLDD at the strategic and operational levels if requested. - After COP17, conducts substantive research and analysis of gender and DLDD issues that are relevant for the implementation of mandates contained in the relevant COP17 decisions, in particular, leads the preparation of policy on gender perspectives and relative workplan. - Ensures compliance with relevant UN gender equality frameworks especially the United Nations system-wide policy on gender equality and the empowerment of women and the corresponding UN System-wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-SWAP) and lead the annual UN SWAP reporting; - Performs any other job-related activities required to achieve the goals and objectives of the team, the GPARC Unit, the Programme or the secretariat.

Qualifications/special skills

- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in gender and women’s rights, development studies, social science or related fields, international relations, human rights, law, gender studies, or in related areas is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. - A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in analyzing and integrating gender dimensions into policy and programme formulation and implementation, particularly in the context of land/natural resource use and management, agriculture, food and water security including capacity development programmes and tools is required. - Proven experience developing and implementing Gender Action Plans (GAPs), gender strategies, or gender assessments is required. - Experience in developing gender related capacity building programmes and knowledge sharing products is required. - Familiar with gender-responsive monitoring and evaluation methods, including gender -related statistics, indicator development and budgeting is desired. - Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative problem-solving ability; demonstrated ability to handle complex issues is desired. - Special skills/knowledge: Excellent communications skills (written and oral), fluent command of English and ability to craft and deliver messages in an articulate manner. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to build robust relationships with key strategic partners. Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage parallel tasks across multiple countries and project.

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. For remote consultancies, the selected candidate will be required to have a laptop or desktop PC (with Windows 11 or newer) or Mac (with the latest MacOS update), as well as a reliable, high-speed internet connection. An Office 365 license will be provided by the UNCCD to enable the candidate to access official emails, SharePoint, OneDrive and other office applications, such as Word and Excel. Further computer requirements: An antivirus application which receives regular updates; Browsers must be a newer version with regular updates enabled; Regular Windows 11 updates should be enabled with Windows laptop or PC. In addition, a mobile phone will be required to enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) through SMS or the Authenticator App.

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.