Result of Service1. Parties and critical stakeholders are fully informed about the challenges, opportunities, ongoing projects and implementation gaps to be filled in globally. 2. There is a coordinated approach to advocacy, awareness raising and resource mobilization and a common understanding of the goals and indicators of success. 3. A Rangelands flagship initiative document is produced. 4. A pipeline of projects and programmes, under the Rangelands flagship and aligned with requirements of identified funding sources, is developed. Work LocationHome based Expected duration12 months, starting as soon as possible. Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: 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. As the operational arm of the convention, the GM supports countries to translate the Convention into action. The GM is currently spearheading several initiatives to implement its resource mobilization mandate by supporting countries in the development of a pipeline of projects and programmes for financing by donors and partners. We are also promoting multi-sector, multi-stakeholder approaches to facilitate the financing and implementation of projects contributing to synergies across the objectives of the three Rio Conventions. A number of important flagship initiatives have emerged globally that showcase the potential impact of large-scale efforts to conserve, sustainably manage and restore land. Global rangelands cover 79,509,421 km2, over 54 percent of the world’s terrestrial surface, the largest land use type in the world. 78 percent of global rangelands are considered as Drylands, mainly in tropical and temperate latitudes and ranging from hyper-arid to sub-humid types according to their aridity index. Rangelands are quite diverse, hosting a great range of biomes. They support the livelihoods of 2 billion humans. They are also the main source of feed for a wide range of livestock production systems based on grazing, browsing and pasture management. Rangeland degradation is a global threat that also demands a global framework to face it. However, rangelands are diverse and multifunctional showing a great difficulty to a standard approach. Different groups can use rangeland for a variety of purposes, targeting diverse resources and managing them under distinctive production systems. All those systems can eventually coexist and overlap in time and space, generating different patterns. Rangelands have been historically used under less restrictions than other lands, which has contributed to changing conditions and rapid transformation of land uses. Furthermore, the natural variability of rangeland ecosystems with irregular regimes of precipitation and other ecological conditions has also contributed to permanently changing situations, also subject to global change and pressure scenarios. In this context, the GM of the UNCCD in collaboration with various partners is developing a global programme in preparation for the 2026 International year of rangelands and pastoralists. Duties and responsibilities: Under the overall supervision of the Managing Director of the Global Mechanism and direct supervision of the LDN and Land Restoration Programme Coordinator and assigned officer, the consultant will be supporting in the continued development of the Rangelands global flagship programme. Duties will be carried out in close collaboration with the various strategic partners and country Parties. The consultant will be responsible for the following critical duties: - Writing and finalising a situational analysis (key physical features, socio-economic data etc) and identification of the key issues (including gender) and investment pillars that the initiative will be designed to address based on the Global Land Outlook Thematic Report on rangelands and pastoralists and other resources - Mapping of the donor landscape and investments in rangelands - Mapping of relevant partners (financial, technical) and key stakeholders (focal points for financing) - Mapping of relevant projects, programmes and initiatives that are complete/under implementation/under development (baseline year to be agreed), and that contribute to the investment pillars and cross-cutting issues with the aim of developing a base map and to inform the development of new projects and programmes that will fill implementation gaps. - Establishing criteria and screening projects and programmes to be considered as falling under the Rangelands global flagship programme. - Supporting consultations and finalising the theory of change and harmonized results framework (including core targets and critical indicators under each of the investment pillars and cross-cutting issues). - Supporting the organization of a series of events to consult with Parties and stakeholders on key decision and documents or for policy advocacy, awareness-raising and resource mobilisation. - Leading project preparation and supporting resource mobilization to develop a portfolio of investment-ready project and/or programme concept notes and proposals. The projects and programmes will be developed in close collaboration with partners and country representatives. Qualifications/special skills- Advanced university degree in climate/development finance, environmental science, agriculture, forestry, climate change, soil sciences, environmental economics, renewable energy, business development and management, public policy or related fields is required; - A minimum of ten years of experience in project preparation, climate and /or development finance and resource mobilization from multilateral developments banks, bilateral donors, private sector investors, or for financing institutions such as the Global Environment Facility, Green Climate Fund or Adaptation Fund is required; - Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of rangelands and the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists preparations is required; - Experience in responding to Calls for Proposals and Expressions of Interest is required; - Experience in developing project budgets, project/programme coordination and monitoring and evaluation is required; - Experience organizing events and meetings for policy advocacy, awareness-raising or consultation is desirable; - Experience working on advancing gender equality and social inclusion in projects and programmes is a strong asset; - Experience engaging with private sector stakeholders is an asset. LanguagesFor the consultancy fluency in English language, both oral and written, is required. Fluency in another UN language 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. 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.