Background: 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 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 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. A number of important flagship initiatives have emerged globally that showcase the potential impact of large-scale efforts to conserve, sustainably manage and restore land. Global rangelands cover 79,509,421 km2, over 54 percent of the world’s terrestrial surface, the largest land use type in the world. 78 percent of global rangelands are considered as Drylands, mainly in tropical and temperate latitudes and ranging from hyper-arid to sub-humid types according to their aridity index. Rangelands are quite diverse, hosting a great range of biomes. They support the livelihoods of 2 billion humans. They are also the main source of feed for a wide range of livestock production systems based on grazing, browsing and pasture management. Rangeland degradation is a global threat that also demands a global framework to face it. However, rangelands are diverse and multifunctional showing a great difficulty to a standard approach. Different groups can use rangeland for a variety of purposes, targeting diverse resources and managing them under distinctive production systems. All those systems can eventually coexist and overlap in time and space, generating different patterns. Rangelands have been historically used under less restrictions than other lands, which has contributed to changing conditions and rapid transformation of land uses. Furthermore, the natural variability of rangeland ecosystems with irregular regimes of precipitation and other ecological conditions has also contributed to permanently changing situations, also subject to global change and pressure scenarios. In this context, the GM of the UNCCD in collaboration with various partners is developing a global programme in preparation for the 2026 International year of rangelands and pastoralists. Duties and responsibilities: Under the overall supervision of the Managing Director of the Global Mechanism and direct supervision of the LDN and Land Restoration Programme Coordinator and assigned officer, the consultant will be supporting in the continued development of the Rangelands global flagship programme. Duties will be carried out in close collaboration with the various strategic partners and country Parties. The consultant will be responsible for the following critical duties: – Writing and finalising a situational analysis (key physical features, socio-economic data etc) and identification of the key issues (including gender) and investment pillars that the initiative will be designed to address based on the Global Land Outlook Thematic Report on rangelands and pastoralists and other resources – Mapping of the donor landscape and investments in rangelands – Mapping of relevant partners (financial, technical) and key stakeholders (focal points for financing) – Mapping of relevant projects, programmes and initiatives that are complete/under implementation/under development (baseline year to be agreed), and that contribute to the investment pillars and cross-cutting issues with the aim of developing a base map and to inform the development of new projects and programmes that will fill implementation gaps. – Establishing criteria and screening projects and programmes to be considered as falling under the Rangelands global flagship programme. – Supporting consultations and finalising the theory of change and harmonized results framework (including core targets and critical indicators under each of the investment pillars and cross-cutting issues). – Supporting the organization of a series of events to consult with Parties and stakeholders on key decision and documents or for policy advocacy, awareness-raising and resource mobilisation. – Leading project preparation and supporting resource mobilization to develop a portfolio of investment-ready project and/or programme concept notes and proposals. The projects and programmes will be developed in close collaboration with partners and country representatives.