Result of Service

The consultant will provide support for the LDN Team, GM UNCCD. In such, a high degree of discretion and a strong commitment to the values and objectives of the United Nations are essential. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and deliver high-quality results within short deadlines is imperative. The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical, operational and logistical support to the Global Mechanism of the UNCCD in the lead-up to COP17. The Junior Consultants will support the coordination of technical products and logistics for UNCD COP17 Events, Dashboard and Knowledge Management Support, Travel and Mission Support and Support to Workshops and Capacity Building Activities. The expected result is a set deliverables that strengthen the GM’s knowledge base, partnerships, and resource mobilization capacity, and that demonstrate the GM’s effective travel coordination, workshop support, and administrative management in support of LDN Team operations.

Work Location

Bonn Office

Expected duration

6 months to be started as soon as possible.

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) The Global Mechanism (GM) of the UNCCD is 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 GM supports countries to translate the Convention into action. The GM is currently spearheading several initiatives to implement its resource mobilization mandate by supporting countries in the development of a pipeline of projects and programmes for financing by donors and private sector partners. We are also promoting multi-sector, multi-stakeholder approaches to facilitate the financing and implementation of projects contributing to synergies across the objectives of the three Rio Conventions. We are seeking a dynamic junior consultants to support the Global Mechanism LDN team to prepare and participate in UNCCD COP 17 activities and events as well as support data collection, monitoring and reporting of the Global Mechanism Flagship Initiatives, LDN TSP 2.0 and Partnership for Project Preparation pipeline. Duties & Responsibilities: Under the overall guidance of the Programme Coordinator of the LDN team in the Global Mechanism and working closely with the wider LDN team and critical external partners, the Junior Consultants will support the LDN team and the GM in delivering on its strategic mandate in the lead-up, during and post – UNCCD COP17. The Juniors Consultant are expected to operate independently. The Junior Consultants will contribute to the GM and LDN Teams core work areas, including: technical and logistics support, engagement and partnership development; A. Support to COP17 Events - Support the planning, preparation and organization of assigned GM/UNCCD led or co organized COP17 events, including side events and meetings. - Support event coordination, engagement with speakers, including confirmations, collection of presentations, biographies, and speaking notes. - Support drafting of briefing notes, talking points, speeches and correspondence letters as required. - Support the coordination of interpretation, audio visual, IT, and recording arrangements as required. - Provide on-site technical and logistical coordination support during COP17 to ensure smooth implementation of events. - Prepare selected event reports highlighting key discussion points, recommendations and follow up action items - Prepare background materials and participate in bilateral meetings and prepare list of follow-up action items B. Dashboard and Knowledge Management Support - Support the updating and maintenance of the project dashboard, including data entry, formatting, and quality checks. - Collaborate with team members to ensure timely input of data and progress updates. - Assist in preparing summary outputs and visualizations derived from the dashboard as required. - Flag inconsistencies or gaps in dashboard data and propose corrective actions to the team. C. Travel and Mission Support - Support end to end coordination of travel arrangements for funded participants related to COP17, associated meetings and workshops. - Liaise with the UNCCD travel service provider and participants to ensure accurate and timely travel arrangements. - Support visa facilitation processes, including preparation of invitation letters, coordination with relevant participants, and monitoring of visa status. - Prepare and maintain consolidated travel schedules, arrival and departure manifests, and participant lists. - Monitor changes, cancellations, and exceptional travel situations and propose appropriate solutions. D. Support to Workshops and Capacity Building Activities - Support the organization of webinars, workshops, consultations, conferences, meetings, events and capacity building activities. - Coordinate invitations, registration, confirmations, and participant communications. - Support travel and accommodation arrangements for funded participants and partners. - Support preparation and dissemination of technical materials and dissemination to participants before and after events. - Provide technical and logistical support during workshops, including participant management and troubleshooting. - Support preparation of attendance lists and workshop and meeting reports. - Participate in internal planning meetings as required and follow up on assigned technical and logistical actions. - Prepare brief status updates and logistical notes. - Perform any other related tasks as requested by the supervisor in support of LDN/ GM/UNCCD operations.

Qualifications/special skills

Secondary school education complemented by secretarial or equivalent school courses is required. - Experience in project management or organization of meetings and conferences is required. - A minimum of 1 year of work experience in logistics, travel, or related areas is required. - A full command of Microsoft Office is required. Experience supporting the work of a senior manager, is required. - Previous general administrative experience in a United Nations organization would constitute a strong asset. - Familiarity with the UNCCD mandate and key stakeholders is desirable. Experience with multilateral environmental agreement (MEA) processes, including UNCCD governance and COP processes, is an asset.

Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of French or another official UN language is an asset.

Additional Information

Only 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.

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.

Junior Consultants LDN Team