Consultant for Global Land Outlook and related knowledge products

Result of ServiceHigh quality, professionally written and illustrated content for a variety of knowledge products, ensuring that all deliverables are comprehensively researched, properly referenced, and which take into account consultations with experts and key stakeholders. The junior consultant will contribute to GLO thematic and regional reports as well as related knowledge products with: • Content and data analysis that support report narratives; • Case studies and good practices that strengthen the evidence base; • Practical applications that inform policy recommendations; • Infographics, figures, tables, maps, photos, and other graphic elements; • The review of data and references in both the peer-reviewed and grey literature. Work LocationHome based Expected duration100 days within 10 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: 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. The vision of the UNCCD and its 197 Parties is to realize “a future that avoids, minimizes, and reverses desertification/land degradation and mitigates the effects of drought in affected areas at all levels – and to achieve a land degradation-neutral world consistent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” The objective 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. The Global Land Outlook (GLO) is the UNCCD’s flagship publication – from the full edition every 4-6 years to more frequent regional and thematic reports (https://www.unccd.int/resources/global-land-outlook/overview). The second edition (GLO2) was published in 2022 to help activate the vision of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration with a sweeping evidence-based synthesis of land challenges and solutions. Recognizing land as the operative link between biodiversity loss and climate change, it should be considered as the primary focus of any meaningful intervention to tackle these intertwined crises. These strategic communications products offer an evidence-based narrative on the drivers and impacts of desertification, land degradation and drought as well as the opportunities to mitigate them through sustainable land and water management, with an emphasis on improving local livelihoods. They showcase inspirational examples of regenerative pathways from around the world that demonstrate how countries and communities can design and implement their bespoke land restoration agenda. In addition, the UNCCD produces numerous policy and technical briefs that spotlight key land use, management, and governance issues addressed in GLO publications. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Global Policy Advocacy and Regional Cooperation (GPARC) unit and direct supervision of the assigned officer, the consultant will support the development of various GLO publications and related knowledge products, including by: • Conducting desktop research and data analyses; synthesizing recent scientific and evidence-based literature; presenting an engaging narrative in diverse formats; • Employing data visualization tools and GIS applications to produce maps, figures, tables, and infographics in reader friendly formats; • Contributing to policy and technical briefs on specific topics contained in GLO publications that require separate treatment, greater elaboration, and targeted dissemination • Compiling case studies to showcase experiences from different countries • Supporting the design of consultations and surveys Qualifications/special skills• Advanced university degree in land use planning, integrated land and water management, or related subjects is required. • A minimum of 5years of working experience on issues related to sustainable land management and restoration is required; • A good understanding of the related policy and technical aspects, including related GIS and statistics applications, land governance and monitoring protocols, and institutional and finance considerations is required; • Experience in drafting and preparing field reports and assessments, concept notes, technical briefs, and guidance documents is required; • Experience working in a team setting is required; Ability to meet agreed deadlines and attention to detail is required; • Knowledge of the UNCCD and related UN and intergovernmental processes involved in global environmental issues is an advantage. Languages• Superior ability to communicate in English language, both written and oral is required; knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage Additional InformationOnly 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 UNCCD does not provide health insurance to consultant and individual contractors. Incumbents selected for the consultancy are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services as they consider appropriate. Proof of valid health insurance will be required before signing of the contract. All products resulting from this contractual arrangement are the exclusive property of the UNCCD. For home based positions: 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. No FeeTHE 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.