Result of ServiceSuccessful provision of high-level advocacy services for the development of IDRO Phase 2, ultimately leading to the launch of the fully operational International Drought Resilience Observatory at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia. Work LocationHome based Expected durationJuly 2025 to September 2026. Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: 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 mandate of the Convention and its 197 Parties is to support a future that avoids, reverses desertification/land degradation and minimizes effects of drought (DLDD) in affected areas at all levels – and to achieve a Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) consistent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Droughts are the most far-reaching of natural disasters, causing short and long-term economic and ecological losses as well as significant secondary and tertiary impacts. To reduce societal vulnerability to droughts, there is a need to overcome the prevailing structures of reactive, post hazard management approaches and to move towards proactive and risk management approaches. Against this backdrop, spearheaded by the governments of Senegal and Spain, a group of like-minded countries in partnership with various stakeholders took the initiative to form an International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) to catalyse a political momentum to achieve a transformational change of actions and mindsets towards drought resilience - a transformation in the way the impacts of drought are managed which is essential to reduce this existential threat to many parts of the world. The initiative was launched on 7th of November 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt at the margins of the UNFCCC COP 27 in a high-level event, jointly convened by Senegal and Spain. In 2023, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Scientific and Policy Interface (SPI) released a pivotal report entitled \"Multiscale Approaches for the Assessment and Monitoring of Social and Ecological Resilience to Drought.\" This report underscored the urgent need to strengthen assessment capacities for drought resilience and to develop innovative tools and advanced technologies to tackle this pressing global challenge. In response to these critical recommendations, the proposal to establish the International Drought Resilience Observatory (IDRO) emerged within the framework of the International Drought Resilience Alliance, spearheaded by Spain and Senegal and other 70 countries and organizations. The call for IDRO's creation stems from the acknowledgment that existing approaches to drought resilience assessments fall short in addressing the complexity and context specificity of drought impacts. Moreover, insufficient data sharing between government agencies and research institutions hampers collaborative efforts in drought monitoring, preparedness, mitigation, and response. Additionally, the prohibitive cost associated with acquiring data further restricts its utilization in these critical areas. There is a pressing need for a proactive paradigm that anticipates and prepares for drought events rather than simply reacting to them. IDRO is poised to confront these challenges head-on by offering a comprehensive framework for assessing, monitoring, and optimizing drought resilience across various scales, spanning from local communities to national and international levels. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, spatial observation, and other digital tools, IDRO endeavours to enhance data collection, analysis, and information dissemination, thereby deepening our comprehension of drought resilience dynamics. Through IDRO, stakeholders gain access to timely and relevant information crucial for informed decision-making, drought anticipation, and the cultivation of more resilient communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure in the face of this escalating global threat. After IDRO prototype’s successful launch in UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, IDRA is supporting the development of the Phase 2 of IDRO. The Phase 2 development of IDRO will encompass the refinement of the methodology and develop the Drought Resilience Index, further develop and expand the case studies, and develop the platform to make it fully functional and operational. The launch of the final version of IDRO will be done during the next UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia. The purpose of the Senior Political Advisor is to provide heigh-level guidance and technical leadership for the IDRO phase 2 development, in chairing the Strategic Advisory Board of IDRO until its launch at COP17 and in providing structural and technical guidance to Yale CEA in charge of the development of IDRO. Duties and Responsibilities: IDRA secretariat, hosted in the UNCCD secretariat, is looking for a high-level and senior advisor with a vast knowledge of the UNCCD and IDRA framework to support the UNCCD/IDRA coordination team and to guarantee the implementation of the activities of the Phase 2 development, in a coherent and smooth manner, as well as to ensure communication between the different involved stakeholders. The Senior advisor of IDRO will work in close coordination with the IDRA coordination team and will lead the Strategic Advisory Board of IDRO Phase 2 development. S/He will lead the work of the Strategic Advisory Board and provide strategic guidance to the development team, ensuring that the implementation of phase 2 of the Observatory is aligned with the mandate of the UNCCD and of IDRA and the work of its secretariat. The Strategic Advisory Board will provide strategic and scientific support and oversight for IDRO’s initiatives, that is scientifically robust, data-driven, and at the forefront of innovation. Considering the above, the incumbent performs the following activities: 1.Provide overall substantive scientific and technical advisory and leadership for the IDRO phase 2 development; 2.Contribute to the refinement of the IDRO Methodology (dimensions, categories, indicators) 3.Lead the development of the Drought Resilience Index (DRI) 4.Provide guidance and scientific expertise ensuring strategies align with IDRA framework and with the latest research. 5.Ensure broad and balanced representation of relevant stakeholders (scientific community, practitioners, etc.) 6.Overseeing data collection and analysis for informed decision-making. 7.Contribute to the identification of additional case studies 8.Co-organize various meetings with stakeholders and co-organize workshops to ensure timely implementation of activities 9.Enhance and ensure engagement of IDRA members in the process 10.Add value to the overall work of the UNCCD Secretariat on Drought Management with knowledge and experience, as it relates to the IDRA functions and operations. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent or higher) in sustainable development, biometry, economics, environmental studies, public policy, natural resources management, law or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development, economics, environment, or related field is required. Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining professional networks is required. Extensive project and/or policy and advocacy experience in sustainable development and/or environmental protection, especially with regards to drought resilience and in the context of multilateralism is required. Excellent understanding and Solid knowledge of policy and technical matters regarding the UNCCD process and the International Drought Resilience Alliance is required. Prefect knowledge of Drought management and Drought Resilience, and excellent understanding of the challenges of providing quality data for decision-making processes is required. Extensive experience working with multiple stakeholders, particularly Governments, academics, and research institutions in a multilateral setting is required. LanguagesFluency in English and Spanish languages (both oral and written) is required. Working knowledge of any of the UN Official languages in addition would be 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.