Org. Setting and Reporting

The objective of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is to combat desertification and land degradation, and to mitigate the effects of drought (DLDD) in affected countries around the world, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels. Established in 1994, the UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The Global Mechanism (GM) is an institution of the UNCCD, mandated to assist countries in the mobilization of financial resources from the public and private sector for activities that prevent, control or reverse desertification, land degradation and drought. As the operational arm of the convention, the Global Mechanism supports countries to translate the Convention into action. With the view to increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of existing financial mechanisms, the GM is requested to promote “actions leading to the mobilization and channeling of substantial financial resources, including for the transfer of technology, on a grant, and/or on concessional or other terms, to affected developing country Parties” (Article 21, para. 4, UNCCD). Such actions include a broad range of country-level strategic planning and implementation efforts. The position is based in the Global Mechanism in UNCCD Office, Bonn, Germany. The Sahel Flagship unit coordinates and implements transformative initiatives across the circum-Sahelian region managing a large portfolio. The Unit will provide strategic leadership to achieve the bold vision of the Great Green Wall Initiative, manage UNCCD's contribution to large-scale land restoration efforts while supporting local communities to build resilience and drive economic transformation across the Sahel and Great Green Wall countries.

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Managing Director of the Global Mechanism the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Provides strategic leadership and direction for the Sahel Flagship unit, supervising staff and ensuring effective coordination of all unit activities across multiple complex projects.
Manages high-level donor relationships with key partners and donors; ensures 100% donor satisfaction through transparent reporting and timely milestone delivery.
Coordinates strategic partnerships with the African Union, Pan-African Agency for the Great Green Wall (PAGGW), CILSS, OSS, FAO, and other regional and international organizations to advance Great Green Wall implementation and expansion.
Directs the implementation and evaluation of flagship; ensures project milestones are achieved and impacts are measurable.
Coordinates the timely and effective implementation of the LOGME II: Widen Proven Furrows projects, funded by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (IMEES); moderates the project’s steering committee and co-chairs its advisory committee.
Leads resource mobilization efforts by implementing the GGW Accelerator Resource Mobilization Strategy, organizing high-level investor conferences, and developing bankable project portfolios to secure additional funding for scale-up activities.
Facilitates the establishment and coordination of National Coalitions across all 11 Great Green Wall countries through high-level exchanges with ministers and decision-makers, ensuring effective country-level implementation.
Provides board-level representation at major conferences including COPs, ministerial meetings, and international forums; serves as primary spokesperson for UNCCD Sahel initiatives and advocates for increased investment in land restoration.
Coordinates transboundary initiatives including the establishment of water task forces and cross-border restoration activities that address shared challenges across the Sahel belt.
Oversees budget management and financial oversight for the entire unit portfolio, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and effective allocation of resources across multiple projects and countries.
Directs the preparation of strategic documents including policy papers, technical reports, funding proposals, and high-level presentations for donors, partners, and international forums.
Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing implications for men and women in all planned actions and ensuring equal participation across all restoration initiatives.
Performs any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of the Sahel Flagship unit, the Global Mechanism, or the UNCCD.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrated ability to provide innovative strategic leadership and technical expertise in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Proven track record of delivering results under pressure and managing competing priorities across multiple projects and countries. Knowledge and understanding of sustainable land management, climate adaptation, and international development cooperation. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks while generating compelling organizational direction. Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively at the highest levels, including with government ministers, senior donors, and international organization executives. Demonstrates exceptional presentation skills and ability to represent the organization at major international forums. Tailors communication style to diverse audiences including technical experts, policy makers, and media representatives. Shows openness in sharing information and maintaining transparent communication with all stakeholders. Planning & Organizing: Develops and implements complex strategic plans for large project portfolios spanning multiple countries and time horizons. Demonstrates ability to coordinate activities across diverse teams, partners, and time zones while maintaining focus on long-term strategic objectives. Effectively manages risks and allows for contingencies in complex international development contexts. Uses time and resources efficiently while maintaining high standards of delivery. Judgment/Decision-making: Makes sound strategic decisions in complex, high-stakes environments involving multiple donors, governments, and international partners. Demonstrates ability to quickly assess situations, gather relevant information, and make decisions that consider positive and negative impacts on multiple stakeholders. Shows proven track record of making difficult decisions when necessary while maintaining stakeholder confidence and project momentum.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business administration, management, public administration, international relations, economics, environmental science, sustainable development, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in programme or project planning and management, with at least three (3) years in a supervisory or leadership capacity, in areas such as sustainable development, land restoration, climate adaptation, international development cooperation, or related field is required. Experience in implementing large-scale, complex projects and promoting partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders is required. Experience in high-level donor relationship management and resource mobilization is required. Experience in a field operation of an international organization, particularly in Africa/Sahel, is desirable. Experience in the United Nations system or a comparable international organization is desirable. Previous experience in land degradation, desertification, or climate adaptation initiatives is desirable.

Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II
French	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This is project position with limited duration. This is temporary appointment for an initial period of 364 days; possible extension will depend on the project extension, funds available and satisfactory performance. The UNCCD is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNCCD recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. UNCCD is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UNCCD in the last six months are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE 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.

Project Officer (Sahel)