Result of ServiceSuccessful completion of a national gender assessment directly linked to and informing the ongoing LDN TSP 2.0 national process of Saint Lucia. Work LocationHome based. Saint Lucia (preferred) or remote within the Caribbean region Expected durationContract starting as soon as possible but not later than 01 August 2025. Contract to be completed before 30th November 2025. Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: The objective of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is to combat desertification and land degradation, and to mitigate the effects of drought (DLDD) in affected countries around the world, through effective action at all levels. Established in 1994, the UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The Global Mechanism (GM) is an institution of the UNCCD, mandated to assist countries in the mobilization of financial resources from the public and private sector for activities that prevent, control or reverse desertification, land degradation and drought. Within its mandate the UNCCD abides by the fundamental principle to pursue gender equality as enshrined in all key governing documents, frameworks and resolutions of the United Nations system including inter alia the founding UN Charter, the UN Declaration of Human Rights, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) as well as the Chief Executive Board’s System-wide Policy on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (CEB/2006/2) and the United Nations System-wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-SWAP 2.0). The UN Secretary-General asserts that “women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, also half of its potential. Gender equality, besides being a fundamental human right, is essential to achieve peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development. Moreover, it has been shown that empowering women spurs productivity and economic growth.” (see: https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/gender-equality). Parties to the UNCCD are committed to improving the quality of life of women worldwide. This commitment is prominently enshrined in the text of the Convention (see https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/publications/roi_20_gender_brochure.pdf) and has been reaffirmed in several decisions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNCCD. Through them, UNCCD Parties have committed to a variety of time-bound and action-oriented targets for mainstreaming gender into UNCCD operations, and acknowledge the need for gender responsive policies and measures (see https://www.unccd.int/resources/publications/gender-equality-policy-and-plan). Gender equality and women’s empowerment is recognized as a cross-cutting priority across all aspects of the work of the UNCCD. The Convention secretariat and the Global Mechanism (GM) promote men and women’s equal and balanced participation in all aspects of the UNCCD process and implementation. In particular, the policy reflects changes resulting from the adoption of the UNCCD Gender Action Plan (GAP) in 2017 (see https://www.unccd.int/resources/publications/gender-action-plan) and the Gender Action Plan Roadmap in 2022 (see page 11 at https://www.unccd.int/sites/default/files/2022-03/ICCD_COP%2815%29_17-2201817E.pdf), as well as the enrolment in the 2018 United Nations System-wide Plan of Action on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-SWAP 2.0). The adoption of the GAP represents a landmark opportunity to transform gender equality and human rights into action. In this context, and following the mandate received by country Parties at COP 15 through decisions 3/COP.15 and 13/COP.15, the GM and the secretariat of the UNCCD, in collaboration with relevant partners, officially launched the second phase of the LDN Target Setting Programme (LDN TSP 2.0) on 12 May 2023 (see https://www.unccd.int/news-stories/notifications/call-requests-support-assist-countries-strengthening-ldn-targets) and selected 18 participating countries (see https://www.unccd.int/news-stories/notifications/18-countries-selected-support-strengthen-ldn-targets-and-integrated-land), including Saint Lucia. Through this process, countries are refining their voluntary land degradation neutrality targets by ensuring that these targets are specific, time-bound, policy-coherent, quantitative, spatially explicit, gender-responsive and adequately integrated into planning frameworks. As part of the ongoing LDN TSP 2.0 national process, Saint Lucia is expected to undertake a national gender assessment, gathering relevant information and making specific recommendations to guide both the process of revising their LDN targets and measures, and the design of transformative projects/programmes that include gender-responsive objectives and activities. In doing so, Saint Lucia should take into consideration the gender-related guidance provided under section 3.3 on “Improving Gender Equality, Social Inclusion, and Land Tenure Security in LDN Commitments and Targets” of the UNCCD Supplementary Guidelines for Strengthening Land Restoration Commitments and Targets under the LDN TSP 2.0 and more specifically the guidance contained in Box 11 on “Steps to increase gender inclusiveness in LDN project lifecycle” and Box 12 on “Critical steps to enhance gender equality and social inclusion when revising LDN targets”, as well as the related elements discussed with participating countries during the UNCCD capacity building workshop for LDN TSP 2.0 held in Doha (Qatar) from 20-22 February 2024 and the inception workshop of the GEF7 LDN-ILUP project held in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 13-16 May 2025. Saint Lucia is also encouraged to use other guidelines and tools adapted to the national context and is strongly encouraged to identify existing opportunities to build upon and leverage on other previously done and/or ongoing local and national dialogues and projects related to gender issues and Rio Convention synergies, in coordination with relevant stakeholders. The Gender specialist for Saint Lucia will play a pivotal role in undertaking this work and directly support the UNCCD National Focal Point of Saint Lucia in its completion in coordination with the currently ongoing LDN TSP 2.0 national process. The Gender specialist will work collaboratively with relevant national and local stakeholders to develop and implement gender-specific recommendations that would lead to measurable outcomes. In doing so, the Gender specialist will assist in identifying and addressing potential threats such as gender inequalities and discriminatory norms and practices, ensuring these are mitigated through informed policy making and to be considered in the future design and management of LDN interventions. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the overall supervision of the Managing Director of the Global Mechanism and the Coordinator of the LDN Programme, the direct supervision of the Team Lead of the LDN Target Setting Programme, in coordination with relevant national specialists, in consultation with relevant officers of the UNCCD secretariat, and under the leadership of the UNCCD National Focal Point(s) of Saint Lucia, the Gender specialist will be responsible for directly supporting the development and completion of a national gender assessment in the context of the ongoing LDN TSP 2.0 national process and related country activities. The Gender specialist will also be responsible for conducting and facilitating any required stakeholder consultations and technical discussions (via in-person, phone interviews or online consultation methods, or otherwise as part of the agenda of any LDN TSP 2.0 related events or any other relevant events that may be convened in the country). Qualifications/special skills- Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a relevant field such as gender studies, social sciences, sustainable development studies, international management, political science, management, or environmental sciences is required. At least 7 years of professional experience supporting gender assessments, gender mainstreaming, and related policy development and implementation is required. Solid professional experience in Saint Lucia and/or Caribbean countries working with relevant local/national/regional stakeholders and partner agencies in gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, and related program design is desirable. Excellent demonstrated understanding of the work of international conventions, and particularly of the UNCCD. Experience in working with UNCCD stakeholders, especially on land issues in Saint Lucia and/or Caribbean countries would be an asset. Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and deliver assignments on time. Strong analytical, writing skills and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. LanguagesProfessional knowledge of English language ( oral and written) is required. 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. For remote consultancies, the selected candidate will be required to have a laptop or desktop PC (with Windows 10 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 10 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 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.