Result of Service

To produce high-quality visual assets during COP17, including daily video highlights, interviews and other requested products, to drive global awareness of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists and UNCCD.

Work Location

In person.

Expected duration

15 August to 14 September 2026.

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 Communications, External Relations and Partnerships (CERP) Unit supports the mandate of UNCCD by providing an overall strategic direction on communications, external relations and partnerships, underpinned by innovation and the use of effective tools. It leads and coordinates UNCCD’s engagement with key stakeholders and builds partnerships to mobilize corporate resources and raise the visibility of land issues on the political and public agendas. Furthermore, it acts as the UNCCD brand guardian, leading global strategic communication at corporate and programmatic levels, nurturing creativity and ambition to reach new audiences with world-class, science-based communication and advocacy. The UNCCD wishes to hire a videographer to help gather high-quality rushes and b-roll material for use in mainstream and social media campaigns for the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) which will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 17 to 28 August 2026. The videographer will attend the COP and associated events as part of the UNCCD delegation to shoot, edit, package and produce excellent materials that tell the story of land restoration and drought resilience, cover the activities of the Executive Secretary, as well as showcase the work of UNCCD Parties, partners and the secretariat. The videographer will also support the culmination of the Silk Road Caravan journey and the celebration of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia. For COP17, we are looking to engage a professional videographer to deliver the following: Duties & Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Chief of CERP, and working in close collaboration with the CERP Unit, the consultant will cover videography for UNCCD COP17. Specific tasks and key deliverables include: - Collaboration with production partners: work closely with CERP and CERP's external production partner to ensure all footage meets the agreed narrative structure, technical specifications and stylistic guidelines - Social media content: deliver daily high-quality “highlight” clips from COP17 suitable for immediate use on UNCCD social media channels (Reels/TikTok/YouTube) - Cinematography and visual assets: serve as videographer for the final segment of the Silk Road Caravan journey in Mongolia and its arrival at COP17, capturing cinematic 4K+ footage of landscapes, interviews and caravan movement - Documentary filming: film high-quality interviews with government officials, pastoralists and scientists, and capture footage and impactful still images of rangelands, pastoralists, campaign events and travel, according to the agreed schedule - Drone operation: execute aerial filming of rangelands and other ecosystems in compliance with local regulations and UN safety requirements - Audio capture: record clean, synced audio for all interviews and key b-roll using on-camera or handheld lavalier/shotgun microphones, sufficient for immediate use in daily highlight clips and the final wrap-up video - Technical management: manage all camera and audio equipment, data offloading and backups (3-2-1 rule) in field conditions

Qualifications/special skills

- A first-level university degree in film production, media studies, journalism, or related area is required. Technical certification in cinematography or drone operation may be accepted in lieu of a degree with two additional years of experience. - A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in documentary filmmaking, photojournalism, or broadcast media is required. - Experience filming in remote, outdoor environments is required. - Valid drone pilot certification may be required. - Willingness to travel to remote project sites/locations is required. - Must observe the highest ethical standards of journalism and photography, ensure the dignity of subjects, including children, is protected and subjects agree to the use of their images for publication on such media is required -

The consultant agrees to provide their own equipment, including a professional photo and video camera (such as or similar to Blackmagic, RED, or a comparable cinema camera), gimbal stabilizer (such as a Ronin or Steadicam), slider, interchangeable optics, portable lighting (light panels and diffusion screens), and external microphones (lavalier, shotgun, or condenser), sufficient to record video and stills in 4K+ resolution with professional-quality sound.

Languages

Native proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of Russian as well as local languages is an advantage.

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.

Videographer – COP17