Result of ServiceThe consultant will provide support for the Executive Office. In such, a high degree of discretion, political acumen, and a strong commitment to the values and objectives of the United Nations are essential. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and deliver high-quality results within short deadlines is imperative. Work LocationBonn office. Expected durationJanuary to June 2026 (full-time) 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 to address Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought (DLDD). (www.unccd.int) The position is based in the Executive Office and reports to the Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary. The nature of the work entails frequent interaction with the Executive Office and other units, subsidiary bodies of the UNCCD, UN Agencies Funds and Programmes as well as external partners. Duties and Responsibilities: The junior consultant will support the Executive Office and be responsible for the following duties: • Provide overall administrative support, including managing schedules, scheduling appointments, and keeping senior staff informed of daily engagements. • Assist with the preparation of briefing notes, background papers and talking points, speeches in preparation for meetings, missions or other events; • Prepare summaries, draft correspondence, meeting notes, and as needed; presentations and proposals and creating data summaries in clear and visually attractive formats. • Support in the preparation of meetings, missions and field visits; • Assist with monitoring operational developments in the assigned areas of responsibility; • Create and maintain databases, matrixes, tables and work systems to help track the implementation of the Convention’s work, as required; • Help to identify lessons learned, codifying information, and setting up systems to maintain country-related databases • Performs other related duties as required. Qualifications/special skills- A first-level university degree in political science, international relations, international economics or other related area is required. - A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in political science, international relations, law, development management, or related areas is required. - A full command of Microsoft Office is required. Experience supporting the work of a senior manager, or working in a front office, is desirable. - Experience with multilateral processes in similar bodies/conventions and in providing substantive support to government or intergovernmental bodies, including subsidiary bodies thereof is desirable. Knowledge and understanding of the UN system is desirable. Languages- For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French, Spanish and or Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language 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.