Consultant: Science, Technology and Innovation

Organizational Context

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Secretariat's Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) unit requires support for its subsidiary bodies, the Committee on Science and Technology (CST) and the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC). This consultancy will provide integrated technical, procedural, and administrative assistance for COP17 and advance institutional workstreams.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to provide comprehensive technical, procedural, administrative, and drafting support to the UNCCD's Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) unit. The primary focus is on preparing for, servicing, and following up on the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17), including its subsidiary bodies CST17 and CRIC24. Concurrently, the role will advance key institutional workstreams essential for strengthening the UNCCD's science-policy interface and operational functions. This involves developing tools and guidance for nominations, ensuring quality assurance of science-based outputs, and supporting the development of a post-2030 strategic framework, all within a time-sensitive, intergovernmental context.

Responsibilities

Provide integrated administrative and logistical support for COP17, including drafting content, planning and coordinating pre-event activities, managing during-event operations (scheduling, documentation, stakeholder support), and assisting with post-event activities and archiving. Develop requirements and terms of reference for a secure online nomination portal for UNCCD representatives and experts. Create a corporate quality assurance standard operating procedure (SOP) for science-based outputs and communications, including an operational manual and a public-facing governance document. Offer technical and procedural support for establishing follow-up arrangements for developing a post-2030 strategic framework, including drafting terms of reference, workplans, and consultation strategies, and consolidating Party inputs.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience supporting multilateral environmental agreements or similar intergovernmental processes is required, with demonstrated technical and operational support capabilities. Experience in supporting MEA negotiations, conference processes, drafting/editing official documents, and administrative/logistical support for large intergovernmental meetings is highly desirable.

Skills

Conference support, process design, drafting, consultation, quality assurance, institutional follow-up, administrative and logistical support, technical writing, document quality control, project planning, stakeholder engagement, data management, and understanding of intergovernmental environmental processes.

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