Org. Setting and Reporting

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 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 (GM) supports countries to translate the Convention into action including the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). The Peace Forest Initiative (PFI), launched during the 14th Session of the Conference of Parties of the UNCCD in 2019, aims to promote joint actions and cross-border cooperation on ecosystem (land, forest, water) restoration under the LDN approach while building confidence and peace in fragile and conflict affected areas. The UNCCD secretariat will play a central role in promoting and operationalizing the PFI through partnership building, noting its potential contribution to increasing cooperation on LDN, including land restoration and reforestation in trans-border areas in participating countries. LDN (SDG 15.3) can be effectively linked to the SDG 16 (peace and security) through PFI. The GM will provide PFI participating countries with assistance in formulating transformative projects and programmes to realize the vision of PFI to promote building confidence and peace

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Managing Director of the GM and the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the operationalization of the PFI, including the design of impactful large-scale PFI programmes and projects in priority geographic areas. Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: • Works with the Parties and partners to facilitate the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned PFI programmes/projects; monitors and analyzes specific aspects of programme/project development and implementation with a view to the linkages between land, security and peace; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and recommends corrective actions; liaises with relevant stakeholders; identifies and tracks follow-up actions. • Carries out research on selected aspects of programmes, operations and other activities, including the collection, analysis and presentation of statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources. • Organizes and prepares Terms of Reference for: feasibility studies; environmental and social impacts assessments; conflict analysis, risk assessments and other project preparation activities, and provides inputs and analytical guidance during their elaboration. • Assists in performing consulting assignments, in collaboration with the partners, by planning and facilitating workshops and trainings, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan that stakeholders will use to manage the change. • Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications and other documentations. • Provides administrative and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, by proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of background documents and presentations, handling logistics. • Undertakes outreach activities; participates in the development of training workshops and seminars; participates in and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Participates in missions, including provision of substantive and administrative support, and data collection. • Coordinates activities related to budget/funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget); • Performs any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of the Global Mechanism/UNCCD.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to external and internal funding of the work programmes of international non-for-profit organizations or entities of the United Nations system. Basic understanding of tracking of implementation of work programmes and of oversight functions. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to assist with data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently

Education

An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental science, management, socioeconomics or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible work experience in project/programme management, administration or a related is required. A minimum of one-year experience at the international level working with multi-stakeholders is required. Proven experience in the area of peace and security and related activities (cross-border cooperation, confidence building) is desirable. Proven experience in supporting the organization of international land focused events with multi-stakeholder partnerships is desirable. Experience in monitoring, reporting, evaluation and data analysis is desirable.

Languages

For this position, fluency in English language is required. Knowledge of another UN official language would be an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This is a project funded position. Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to the extension.

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. 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.