Org. Setting and Reporting
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), one of the three “Rio conventions” is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
The Global Mechanism (GM) is an organ of the UNCCD that is mandated to support country Parties to the Convention in the mobilization of resources for its implementation. With the view to increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of existing financial mechanisms, the GM is requested to promote “actions leading to the mobilization and channeling of substantial financial resources, including for the transfer of technology, on a grant, and/or on concessional or other terms, to affected developing country Parties” (Article 21, para. 4, UNCCD). The Global Mechanism is currently spearheading several initiatives to implement its resources mobilization mandate and respond to Parties’ need for innovative approaches to attain the Convention’s aims.
These initiatives include:
(i) A transformative projects and programme initiative to support countries in the development of projects and programmes through the provision of technical support in the design and preparation of investable proposals, jointly with partners, drawing on a refined process of Land Degradation Neutrality target setting.
(ii) The development of innovative financial and investments vehicles, under the framework of the Business 4 Land initiative, aiming at channeling resources from private, impact and institutional investors into projects contributing to land degradation neutrality.
Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Managing Director, in close collaboration with the LDN and Land Restoration Programme Coordinator and direct supervision of the Project Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the design of impactful large-scale programmes and projects in priority geographies and ecosystems and providing advice on emerging financing opportunities.
Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
- Supports Partners and Parties to design transformative projects and programs that will achieve LDN national voluntary targets and other national initiatives (such as implementation of national drought plans/SDS source mitigation);
• Provides substantive guidance and input and takes the lead on the design and development of assigned programmes and projects on key issues – sand and dust storm mitigation, grass and rangeland management, drought.
• Monitors and analyzes options for programme/project development and implementation in specific assigned regions – i.e. North East Asia, Central Asia, Asia Pacific SIDs. - Collaborates and liaises with partners and identifies “best-fit” partnerships for project and proposal preparation (on assigned issues in assigned regions).
• Leads and provides substantive support to partners at country and regional level to facilitate the development of project ideas and proposals for financing including strategic orientation, timelines, budget, monitoring and delivering models and preparation of related documents/reports (work programmes, roadmaps, project budgets, resource mobilization strategy, etc.);
• Reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective and follow up action; provides guidance to assigned work team and/or members - Organizes and prepares Terms of Reference for the implementation of readiness proposals; feasibility studies; environmental and social impacts assessments; risk assessments and other project preparation activities, and provides analytical guidance during their elaboration;
- Explores opportunities to engage the private sector in financing or project implementation on assigned issues/in assigned region.
- Initiate and coordinate with Parties and technical partners to support outreach, promote the project and mobilize funds from development partners and public/private financing institutions.
- Cooperates closely with UNCCD Secretariat to:
• Ensure that related UNCCD Secretariat research and policy work can be mainstreamed and applied at country level;
• Feedback evidence from country level engagement is into the research and policy work of the UNCCD Secretariat. - Coordinates and provide input in development of critical documents (programme/project preparation and proposal submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging conferences, work programmes, programme budget, etc.).
- Performs any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of the Global Mechanism/UNCCD.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of concepts and approaches relevant to global and regional issues on land; Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Conceptual, analytical and political skills. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, public policy, forestry, environmental sciences, climate change or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project development and management, resource mobilization, partnership building and/or innovative finance is required.
Experience as technical advisor and/or policy specialist in at least one of the following thematic issues is desirable: sustainable land management, natural resources and ecosystems management, biodiversity conservation, fight against land degradation and desertification, degraded land and landscape restoration and rehabilitation, sand and dust storms, sustainable forest management, ecosystem-based adaptation, etc.
Languages
For this post, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This is project position and it is available for an initial period of one year. Extension of appointment is subject to the availability of funds.
Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UNCCD in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
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.
