Result of ServiceSuccessful provision of high-level policy and advocacy strategies for the promotion of the core objectives of IDRA in different fora; creating awareness and further promotion of IDRA in the various Annexes and regions in general and the IDRA member countries and partners, in particular. Donor engagement strategy developed. Work LocationHome based Expected durationJune 2025 to August 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. The International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) is a collaborative platform that supports countries, cities, and communities to combat drought proactively. The alliance will promote effective and efficient preparedness and adaptation measures that go beyond disaster response to reduce vulnerability to drought, in support of the drought-related international cooperation that already exists under the umbrella of the UNCCD. The alliance seeks to act as a global facilitator for drought management focused on systemic risk. To reduce systemic risks and avoid new ones, there must be a shift from dealing with drought impacts reactively to getting ahead of the curve and addressing underlying risk drivers. Socioeconomic and environmental vulnerability of exposed systems must be reduced and impacts of land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change are mitigated as part of a transition from reactive to prospective and proactive drought risk management. The UNCCD Secretariat is supporting the Alliance in the operationalization of its work and ensuring coherence and consistency with the fulfilment of all relevant COP decisions related to drought. After IDRA’s successful participation in UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, the Alliance has been working on the roadmap to be followed for the 2025-2026 period. IDRA will ensure that drought remains at the top of the political agenda. The Alliance will be supporting the UNCCD COP16 and upcoming UNCCD COP17 Presidencies in advancing a drought decision to be presented during COP17 in Mongolia and will contribute to the global framework of actions to enhance drought resilience at country levels. The purpose of the Senior Political Advisor is to provide support to the UNCCD secretariat on IDRA and drought related activities to follow the implementation of 2025-2026 roadmap. Duties and Responsibilities: The UNCCD secretariat is looking for a high-level representative of International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) with a vast knowledge of the UNCCD and other sustainable development processes to advise on high-level policy and advocacy strategies to promote the objectives of the Alliance and assist the UNCCD Secretariat in supporting the UNCCD COP16 Presidency in aligning efforts between the International Drought Resilience Alliance and the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership. . As such, the Senior policy advisor/Special Envoy will assist the chairs of the alliance and the UNCCD Secretariat to fulfill its core objectives and to create awareness and build coalitions, stimulate response and preparedness, work on drought diplomacy and boost innovation in the development of a political outreach strategy, providing strategic advice for the execution of an outreach strategy of IDRA. Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary, the incumbent supports the work programme and priority activities of IDRA. IDRA seeks to (i) To generate political momentum to make drought resilience a priority to be mainstreamed in national development and cooperation policies; (ii) To catalyze the consolidation of regional initiatives (programs) that facilitate action, innovation, technology, and traditional knowledge transfer, and resource mobilization for drought resilience at different levels; (iii) To promote full engagement of stakeholders, including the private sector, for increasing drought resilience and (iv) To facilitate knowledge sharing and networking with other alliances and platforms to increase synergistic impacts of those working to enhance drought resilience. To achieve the above stated goals, the secretariat will support IDRA co-chairs - the governments of Senegal and Spain - to communicate relevant and persuasive policy messages to decision makers, promote the brand and overall reputation of the convention, help bridge the science-policy interface and to build partnerships that expand the UNCCD’s reach as it relates to IDRA with key stakeholders such as civil society, the media, and the private sector. The incumbent will performs the following activities: 1. Assist the Secretariat in raising awareness with Government and Business Leaders, Influencers, the Media, Non-Governmental Organizations, and the Public about the International Drought Resilience Alliance and its works towards enhancing drought resilience globally; 2. Support the Secretariat in increasing the membership of the International Drought Resilience Alliance, including expanding membership to drought-prone countries and to financial institution; 3. Support the Secretariat of the International Drought Resilience Alliance in drafting the Donors Strategy Engagement and contribute to the design of the 2026-2030 Strategy of the Alliance; 4. Assist the Secretariat in its work to ensure that the CCD and its related work on the issues of drought resilience, land restoration, and food security, are highlighted at global meetings including the G7, G20, Climate COP, and CBD COP, and will also be highlighted in future international meetings of these bodies and other UN and global bodies. 5. Contribute to organize and prepare the international events where the International Drought Resilience Alliance is represented and work to ensure attendance, participation, and commitments of Leaders in Governments, Science and Academia, Entertainment, and Business; 6. Contribute to the develop and the promotion of IDRA related activities, such as the International Drought Resilience Observatory, IDRA related publications and knowledge sharing activities (CLPs, newsletters, etc.), 7. Perform such other tasks as requested by the Secretariat of the UNCCD. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sustainable development, 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. Extensive project and/or policy experience in sustainable development and/or environmental protection in the context of multilateralism is required. Excellent understanding and solid knowledge of policy and technical matters regarding the UNCCD process and other sustainable development processes, as well as related UN and intergovernmental processes is required. Excellent understanding of policy and technical aspects of sustainable development agenda in the context of multilateralism is required. Extensive experience working with multiple stakeholders, particularly Governments, in a multilateral setting is required. Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining professional networks is desirable. 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.