Consultant on Rangelands and Pastoralists

Result of Service

Support with UNCCD’s work on Rangelands and Pastoralists; active engagement with UNCCD’s work with the Indigenous People’s Caucus and the Silk Road Campaign.

Work Location

Home-based.

Expected duration

3 months(part-time)

Duties and Responsibilities

Background note: 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) In line with the UN International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention in August 2026 in Mongolia will elevate the global importance of rangelands and pastoralists, which provide critical ecosystem services and support billions of people, yet remain undervalued in policy. Pastoralists are recognized as key land stewards whose sustainable practices contribute to land restoration, climate resilience, and food security in dryland regions. Overall, COP17 aims to promote inclusive governance and invest in sustainable rangeland management as part of global efforts to combat desertification and achieve sustainable development. Duties & Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer of the G20 Global Land Initiative, and in close collaboration with the Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary, the consultant will perform the following duties: Support UNCCD work on Rangelands and Pastoralists: - Provide inputs and support to UNCCD’s ongoing work on Rangelands and pastoralists, in the lead up to COP17; - Provide support for the Silk Road campaign; - Assist UNCCD’s work with Indigenous Communities; - Support stakeholder coordination with partners, experts, and relevant institutions; - Contribute to knowledge management and synthesis of relevant technical and policy materials. Support country-engagement with key G-20 countries, namely the People’s Republic of China: - Engagement with stakeholders from the People’s Republic of China, including the private sector, think tanks, and relevant institutions - Support to Executive Secretary’s Mission to China; - Coordination and substantive support to ongoing G20-related work on rangelands and pastoralism; - Research, strategic planning and partnership development related to land restoration and sustainable land management priorities in rangelands; - Contribute to the successful organisation of events for COP17; - Support the development and design of presentations and other knowledge products; - Undertake other related tasks as required in support of programme objectives.Show full description ▼