This consultancy will develop a scoping paper for the work of the IWG-FSF, including a comparative system analysis review of the UNCCD and its sister convention, a section summarizing discussions and approaches to the future utilization of targets and incentives, as well as an assessment on the infrastructure and effectiveness of resources mobilization for the Convention. The scoping paper will be tabled during the first meeting of the IWG-FSF with a view to finalizing it after the meeting, taking into consideration feedback and contributions received by the group.

Home based.

Between September and December 2025.

Background: Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking the environment and development to sustainable land management. One of the main objectives of the Convention is to support countries and communities with the rehabilitation, conservation and sustainable management of land and water resources, leading to improved living conditions for affected populations. Adopted at COP 13, the 2018–2030 Strategic Framework of the UNCCD has been the Convention’s most comprehensive and forward-looking plan for global action against desertification, land degradation, and drought. It embraces a vision with a world that avoids, minimizes, and reverses land degradation while striving to achieve land degradation neutrality, aligned with the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly target 15.3. The framework includes five strategic objectives: improve the condition of ecosystems, enhance the livelihoods of affected populations, strengthen resilience to drought, generate global environmental benefits, and mobilize resources through partnerships. It also provides an implementation framework outlining roles for Parties, institutions, and stakeholders, encouraging integration of its objectives into national policies and planning. Apart from functioning as a policy guide for action at a global and national level, the framework also serves as a monitoring tool, enabling the UNCCD to track progress, strengthen accountability, and enhance cooperation, ultimately reinforcing its mandate to restore degraded land and build resilience worldwide, using a monitoring framework adopted by Parties which is integrated into the periodic reporting by Parties on implementation efforts in their national reports. Findings from those reports are tabled at sessions of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC) that then enters into an iteration of generating targeted policy guidance and recommendations for implementation which is coherent with the mission statement and the strategic objectives of the 2018-2030 UNCCD Strategic Framework. Now, in 2025 and over half-way through the 2018-203 UNCCD Strategic Framework, Parties decided in decision 4/COP.16, to establish an Intergovernmental Working Group on the Future Strategic Framework of the Convention (IWG-FSF), within the scope and mandate of the Convention, to: (a) Identify key elements for a post-2030 UNCCD strategic framework, building on lessons learned, as contained, inter alia, in the report of the Intergovernmental Working Group to Oversee the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework Midterm Evaluation Process, and its follow-up; (b) Conduct a thorough analysis of current indicators for national reporting on the strategic objectives of the 2018–2030 UNCCD Strategic Framework with a view to making them more responsive for a post-2030 strategic framework of the Convention, while ensuring that future methodologies are feasible, simple to understand and within the capacities of Parties. In this regard, the purpose of this consultancy is to develop a scoping paper as documentation relevant to the work of the IWG FSF. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the overall responsibility of the Science, Technology and Innovation Unit Chief, and the direct supervision of an assigned Programme Officer, the consultant will be tasked to develop a scoping paper to inform the work of the IWG FSF. More specifically, the consultant will: 1. Familiarize him/herself with decisions adopted by the Conference of the Parties (COP), the findings from the IWG Mid term evaluation completed by the sixteenth session of the COP (COP 16) and documentation made available by the secretariat on previous discussions by Parties on potential future targets for the Convention; 2. Prepare a timeline of activities to be completed by this consultancy for endorsement by the secretariat, taking into account the staggered approach for the finalization of the scoping paper; 3. Conduct a benchmark analysis of the three Rio Conventions and the systems created by them, particularly on areas related to targets, reporting and monitoring, and other related matters critical for the success implementation of the treaties. This analysis should include a review of the UNCCD Convention, including its approach to implementing a strategic framework, institutional mechanisms, reporting processes, and its linkages to the global sustainable development goals. This review needs to equally present a comparative analysis with the two sister Rio Conventions (UNFCCC and CBD), including, among others: • the nature and scope of the Rio Conventions as international systems (identifying main similarities and differences) • Utilization of targets within the three Rio Conventions • the specificity and measurability of strategic objectives of the 2018-2030 UNCCD Strategic Framework and the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets identified at national level; • institutional arrangements; • monitoring and reporting systems; • financial mechanisms 4. Assess funding opportunities and financial challenges for the implementation of the current UNCCD strategic framework and integrate this as a separate section in the scoping paper; 5. During the first meeting of the IWG FSF in September in Bonn, present the framework to be used for the elaboration of the scoping paper. This presentation will contribute to the initial reflections of the group and will facilitate their feedback for the development of the final version of the paper. 6. Guided by the feedback from the IWG FSF members, elaborate a draft final version to be summited for the second meeting of the IWG.

– Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Administrative or Environmental Law, natural/environmental science, geography, statistics, economics and development studies or related discipline is required. A Phd in one of the above-mentioned fields is desirable and considered an asset. – A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in conducting policy and technical research, literature reviews, and synthesis of findings within international conventions, treaties, and multilateral processes is required. – Proven track record of developing well written, high-quality technical reports and desk reviews, especially in preparing scoping papers, inception reports, and review and assessment methodologies for intergovernmental or UN organizations is required. – Ability to design and implement comprehensive desk reviews, analyse documentation from diverse sources, and present findings in a clear and structured format is required. – Ability to communicate findings clearly and effectively to diverse stakeholders is required. – Familiarity with UNCCD and the Rio Conventions processes is an asset. – Familiarity with other similar UN Agencies or Institutions is an asset. – Strategic thinking, systems thinking and familiarity with the Theory of Change approach would be an asset.

Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of one or more additional UN official language would be an asset.

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. For remote consultancies, the selected candidate will be required to have a laptop or desktop PC (with Windows 10 or newer) or Mac (with the latest MacOS update), as well as a reliable, high-speed internet connection. An Office 365 license will be provided by the UNCCD to enable the candidate to access official emails, SharePoint, OneDrive and other office applications, such as Word and Excel. Further computer requirements: An antivirus application which receives regular updates; Browsers must be a newer version with regular updates enabled; Regular Windows 10 updates should be enabled with Windows laptop or PC. In addition, a mobile phone will be required to enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA) through SMS or the Authenticator App.

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.