Result of Servicei) A finalized and adoptable RGDRP Governance Framework, ii) The Operational Manual of the RGDRP Secretariat consisting of a complete package of key operational and programmatic documents essential for the operationalization of the RGDRP (1. Resource Allocation Framework, 2. Results Framework and Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, 3. Risk Management Strategy, 4. Resource Mobilization Plan and 5. Donor contribution guidelines, 6. Secretariat Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)). iii) The RGDRP Multi-Partner Trust Fund Terms of Reference (ToRs) meeting UN MPTF standards and integrating key operational and governance elements. Resource Mobilization Toolbox as per Decision 3/COP.16 Work LocationHome based Expected durationSeptember 2025 to February 2026. 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). At the UNCCD COP13, countries agreed (decision 7/COP.13) on a new global roadmap to address land degradation. The new UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework includes a set of 5 Strategic Objectives (SO) adopted to guide the actions of all UNCCD stakeholders and partners in the period 2018–2030. The Strategic Objective 5 (SO5), in particular, aims at mobilizing substantial and additional financial and non-financial resources to support the implementation of the Convention by building effective partnerships at a global and national level. As the operational arm of the Convention, the Global Mechanism supports countries in translating the Convention into action. We are mandated to assist countries in the mobilization of resources. We aim to be small but agile team catalyzing solutions that are relevant to country Parties and that deliver transformative and tangible benefits to their people and landscapes. In this context, the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership (RGDRP) was launched at COP16 as a flagship initiative of the Saudi Presidency, under UNCCD leadership. Designed to shift drought response from reactive crisis management to proactive resilience-building, the RGDRP serves as a global facilitator, connecting 74 low- and lower middle income countries to drought resilience resources. Its three operational pillars namely: a Readiness Facility, an Investment Facility, and a Knowledge Platform will support strategic planning, investment mobilization, and knowledge sharing. The Partnership is backed by significant financial commitments, including USD 150 million in grant support from Saudi Arabia, USD 1 billion each from the Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund, and USD 10 billion from the Arab Coordination Group. Building on outcomes from the RGDRP Inaugural Conference held in Cologne in June 2025, where countries adopted the governance structure and financing mechanisms, the GM is advancing the operationalization of the Partnership as a key global tool for strengthening drought resilience. In parallel, and in response to Decision 3/COP.16, the Global Mechanism is developing a Resource Mobilization Toolbox (RMT) to assist countries in addressing their financing gaps by enabling them to identify, formulate and implement financial solutions. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the overall supervision of the Managing Director of the Global Mechanism and reporting to the assigned Programme officers, the consultant will perform the following tasks: A. In the context of the RGDRP Inaugural: - Finalize the RGDRP Governance Framework, incorporating feedback from beneficiary countries and partners received during and after the Inaugural Conference, and ensure the document is technically sound and consistent for formal adoption. - To develop the Operational Manual of the RGDRP Secretariat, providing a comprehensive suite of internal guidance documents, tools, and procedures that enable the effective delivery of the Partnership’s mandate and support the implementation of its Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF): • Resource Allocation Framework allowing to define allocation principles, eligibility criteria, and funding cycles for the Readiness Facility and the Investment Facility. • Results Framework and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan through the development of a results framework and reporting system to regularly track activities, outputs, and outcomes against agreed targets.. • Risk Management Strategy identifying potential operational and fiduciary risks, and proposing mitigation and monitoring strategies. • Resource Mobilization Plan in order to define the Partnership’s approach to attracting pooled and parallel funding, including private sector engagement strategies. • Donor Contribution Guidelines standardizing contribution modalities, reporting obligations, and visibility protocols for pooled contributions to the RGDRP Multi-Partner Trust Fund, while providing guidance for coordinated visibility and reporting of parallel financing aligned with the Partnership’s results framework • Secretariat Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) setting clear internal workflows for fund management, proposal review, disbursement, reporting, and partner engagement. - Support the finalization of the RGDRP Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) Terms of Reference (ToRs) in line with UN MPTF standards, and facilitate stakeholder consultations to ensure their successful completion. B. Develop a Resource Mobilization Toolbox (RMT) in response to Decision 3/COP.16; • Drafting the RMT detailing scope, rationale, objectives, user needs and structure of the toolbox. • Preparing a detailed outline of the toolbox, including delivery formats and potential content to be featured in the RMT. • Developing draft content for the RMT based on selected themes and contexts drawn from GM-supported initiatives and the UNCCD financial needs assessment. • Reviewing ad including in the RMS relevant tools, case studies and best practices from existing GM initiatives, partners and external sources. • Supporting the organization of consultations and peer reviews with internal and external stakeholders to gather feedback on draft content. Qualifications/special skills- Advanced university degree in finance, development economics, environmental economics, agricultural economics, natural resource economics, or related disciplines is required. - A minimum of 7 years’ working experience related to relevant areas of expertise such as financing for development is required. - Expert knowledge on finance for sustainable development and related areas is required. - Strong writing and analytical skills are required. - Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and deliver assignments on time is required. - Knowledge of the UNCCD or related Convention processes is desirable. LanguagesKnowledge of English is required with excellent writing and presentation skills. Knowledge of additional UN languages 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.