Result of ServiceThe consultancy is aiming at assisting the STI unit in achieving a smooth and efficient handling of additional tasks relating to the establishment and work programme of the IWG on the Future Strategic Framework of the Convention as well as providing additional assistance to the Unit’s work plan implementation and goals, with particular emphasis on the UNCCD national reporting process and capacity building. The consultant will assist the respective subunit and STI in general, providing support to the facilitation of meetings of the IWG FSF as well as consultations between the group and Parties, as well as assist in the facilitation of regional capacity building workshops and interactive dialogues at CRIC 23 The consultant has a major role in efficient workflow organization and ensures the timely process of administrative actions. Work LocationBonn office Expected duration11 August 2025 to 10 March 2026. Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: 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 UNCCD provides the foundation for its 197 Parties to work together to combat desertification, land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought; maintain and restore land and soil productivity, and improve the living conditions for people. Implementation is steered through a specific UNCCD strategic framework that provides Parties and other Convention stakeholders with guidance on priorities for activities to be implemented at national level taking into consideration the specific circumstances of Parties to the Convention. Implementation is periodically monitored through the UNCCD national reporting process during which Parties report on national level implementation to the COP. The Committee on the Review and Implementation of the Convention is the subsidiary body of the Convention mandated to assist the conference of the Parties to monitor progress made then assesses the information received by Parties and forwards recommendations on targeted action to the COP for its consideration. The current UNCCD strategic framework is set to expire in 2030 which prompted Parties at the sixteenth session of the conference of the Parties to establish a process leading to the establishment of an Intergovernmental Working Group (IWG). This group will be tasked to identify key elements for a future strategic framework as well as a corresponding monitoring framework for submission to the seventeenth session of the COP. This new process is to be based and should benefit inter alia from the findings of the midterm evaluation conducted during the last biennium and tabled at COP 16. Through decision 4/COP.16 the Bureaus of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC) and the Committee on Science and Technology (CST) shall steer this process through inter alia preparing the terms of reference and mandate of the IWG and supervising the work undertaken while reporting on progress made to the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties. While this process is being set in motion the Convention institutions are also concurrently preparing with partners for the next UNCCD national reporting process which also comprises activities on capacity building for reporting. The temporary position is meant to support the IWG process as well as the national reporting process. Duties and Responsibilities: The 2026 UNCCD national reporting process and the process relating to the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Future Strategic Framework (FSF) requires substantive preparation through consultation process conducted with the group members of the IWG FSF or Parties in the case of national reporting. Capacity building activities in support to national reporting need to be undertaken including inter alia agenda setting for regional meetings, content preparation for presentations, development of eLearning tutorials as well as liaising with host governments on the arrangements to be made for participants. The IWG FSF process also requires the development of a scoping paper and other substantive documents for the first, second and third meeting of the group, the organization of online consultations and exchange of ideas with the internal secretariat/GM group concerned with the work of the IWG FSF. Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the STI unit, and direct supervision of the assigned officer, the consultant will be responsible for directly supporting the technical and substantive elements of the 2026 UNCCD reporting process and the work of the IWG FSF. He/She will support the work by delivering reports and other written documentation needed. Qualifications/special skillsBachelor degree or equivalent is required. A minimum of five (3) years of progressively responsible work experience in programme or project administration, technical cooperation, or a related area, preferably in the United Nations Common System or an international organization is required. Experience in drafting and proofreading official correspondence is required; Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is required In addition good team spirit and an understanding of dealing with Parties and/or external entities and excellent planning and organizational skills are required. LanguagesFor the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official 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. 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.