Result of ServiceIncreased capacity building activities on land restoration issues through universities and online platforms. Work LocationHomebased Expected duration30 days (between 01 May and 31 August 2025) Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: 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 in addressing Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought.(www.unccd.int) The G20 (or Group of Twenty) is the annual international forum for the governments of 19 industrialized countries and the European Union. The G20 Leaders' Declaration, issued on Sunday, 22 November 2020, launched a \"Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation and Enhancing Conservation of Terrestrial Habitats\". Building on existing initiatives and on a voluntary basis, the G20 countries share the ambition to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the amount of degraded land by 2040. The G20 Global Land Initiative (G20 GLI) focuses on building capacity, engaging the private sector, empowering civil society and showcasing success. Engaging with all stakeholders in land restoration efforts is crucial to promote inclusivity and sustainability as well as the ownership and empowerment of local communities and stakeholders, who can bring unique perspectives, knowledge, resources and solutions to the table and ensure their needs and rights are respected and accounted for in the process. Needs Assessment: 1. The South African Presidency of the G20 has requested support from the Global Land Initiative to prepare a Technical paper on large scale restoration initiatives. This consultancy will achieve that 2. G20 Land Initiative is developing a series of training programmes on land restoration, including urban land restoration. The support of a consultant is needed to support the development of training programs for urban areas including online training. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Prepare template for compiling case studies of large scale landscape and forest restoration from various G20 and non G20 countries (2 days) 2. Synthesize a draft technical paper with lessons learnt from large scale landscape and forest restoration initiatives (8 days) 3. Reviewing the modules of the urban land restoration being developed with United Nations University (10 days) 4. Provide input into the Massive Open Online Course Conceptual Development on forestry sector (5 days) 5. Be part of the senior expert team group of the Global land initiative and provide other supports as needed (5 days) Qualifications/special skillsA PhD in Science, social sciences, engineering or planning is required Minimum 25 years of working experience is required. Experience in developing academic modules on land restoration is required. Leadership, management, creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and organization skills are required. Strong written and verbal communication abilities for drafting content, delivering presentations, and liaising with various stakeholders are required. Previous experience in working in or with international organizations or multi-country projects is desirable. LanguagesFluency in English language, both oral and written, is required; proficiency in other UN languages is an asset. Additional InformationOnly 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 FeeTHE 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.