Result of ServiceThe Communities of Learning and Practice (CLPs) is fully functional and fulfils its mission to pursue peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing, co-learning and collaboration on drought risk reduction and resilience capacity-building among key stakeholders involved in drought management. Work LocationOffice or Homebased Expected durationBetween July and December 2025 Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking the environment and development to sustainable land management. The vision of the UNCCD and its 197 Parties is to realize “a future that avoids, minimizes, and reverses desertification/land degradation and mitigates the effects of drought in affected areas at all levels – and to achieve a land degradation-neutral world consistent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” The objective of the Convention is to support countries and communities with the rehabilitation, conservation and sustainable management of land and water resources, leading to improved living conditions. The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Riyadh from December 2 to 13, 2024 underscored the mounting global challenges of drought, leading to substantial financial commitments and the recognition for the need of strengthening capacities and developing innovative tools and technologies to tackle this pressing global challenge. UNCCD Parties also adopted specific decisions on building drought resilience of affected Parties, requesting the Global Mechanism (GM) and the secretariat of the UNCCD to support Parties in creating an enabling environment at the national level to (i) facilitate the implementation of national drought plans or other policies and frameworks related to drought; (ii) forge specific partnerships to mobilize technical and financial support for projects and programmes on drought; and (iii) collaborate with relevant programmes and to support Parties in leveraging finance through relevant mechanisms (Decision 3/COP.16). Furthermore, at COP 15, Parties requested the UNCCD Secretariat to encourage, support and facilitate communities of learning and practice to pursue co-learning and collaboration for drought risk reduction and resilience capacity-building issues. As response to Decision 23/COP. 15 Para 8, the UNCCD Secretariat in collaboration with GWP launched the Communities of Learning and Practice (CLPs) with the mission to pursue co-learning and collaboration for drought risk reduction and resilience capacity-building issues. The Communities of Learning and Practice (CLPs) are peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing and co-learning initiative aiming to strengthen the capacities of National Focal Points (NFPs), Science and Technology Correspondents (STCs), and other key stakeholders involved in drought management and efforts to combat desertification. A total of six CLPs have been established and currently operational: a Global CLP and five regional communities (Africa CLP, Asia CLP, Latin America and the Caribbean CLP, Northern Mediterranean CLP, and Central and Eastern Europe CLP). The CLPs are thus a mechanism to promote intra- but also inter-regional knowledge sharing that help turning local experience and knowhow into global insights. The UNCCD secretariat is recruiting a junior consultant to support the activities of the CLP in the lead up to CRIC 23. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Global Policy Advocacy and Regional Cooperation (GPARC) unit and direct supervision of the assigned officer, the consultant will have the following duties and responsibilities: Facilitate the activities of the Co-Chairs of the CLPs to managing, coordinating, and moderating the UNCCD CLPs. Work closely with the CLP Co-Chairs in support of the Secretariat to ensuring effective collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capaci Track the progress of the CLP activities, member participation, and overall community engagement. Support the Co-Chairs to facilitate discussions, coordinate events, manage content, and support the strategic direction of the CLP to meet its objectives in drought resilience and sustainable management practices. Provide support to Co-chairs by ensuring content shared within the CLP is accurate, up-to-date, and aligned with UNCCD’s strategic priorities. Advise Co-chairs and Secretariat on regular updates and reports on the community insights, engagement metrics, and identified challenges or opportunities. Qualifications/special skillsA University degree in environmental science, sustainable development, water resource management, or a related field is required. Minimum of two years of experience in drought management, land degradation, or related areas is required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills; adept at moderating discussions and encouraging inclusive participation is required. Ability to meet agreed deadlines and attention to detail is required. Solid knowledge of the UNCCD process, related UN and intergovernmental processes, and/or environment-conventions is required. A solid understanding of drought resilience, land management, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is an asset. A track record of community coordination or facilitation is desirable. LanguagesFor this consultancy proficiency in English is required; additional UN languages (French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Russian) highly desirable. 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.