Consultant: COP 17 Coordination and Negotiation Support – RLO Africa

Result of Service

To ensure that African Parties are strategically prepared, technically supported and effectively coordinated throughout the COP 17 negotiation process, resulting in informed participation and strengthened positioning of African priorities within the Convention process.

Work Location

Rabat, Morocco

Expected duration

April to September 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities

Background note: 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 Regional Liaison Office for Africa (RLO Africa), under the Global Policy Advocacy and Regional Cooperation (GPARC) unit, supports African Parties in the implementation of the Convention and facilitates regional coordination in the intergovernmental process. The seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the UNCCD will take place in Mongolia. In preparation for COP 17, and to ensure coherent, informed and strategic engagement of African Parties in the negotiation process, RLO Africa requires targeted coordination, analytical and operational support before, during and after the session. Duties & Responsibilities: Under direct supervision of the Head of RLO Africa, and in close coordination with relevant units of the UNCCD Secretariat, the Consultant will support the political, strategic and technical/ logistical preparation of African Parties for COP 17. Pre-COP Strategic and operational Support: - Support organization of the Regional Preparatory Meeting of Annex 1 to COP17 - Mobilize NFPs, STCs and main partners participation to COP17 - Orient the new NFPs on COP17 rules and procedures, and expectations - Facilitate communication with National Focal Points (NFPs), Science and Technology Correspondents (STCs), Heads of Delegation and partners. Support During COP 17: - Facilitate daily meetings of Regional Meetings of Annex 1 during COP17 - Offering technical and administrative guidance to the Africa Group of Negotiators. - Facilitate synergies between the NFPs and STCs ideas with other regional Partners - Respond to Ad Hoc requests from NFPs Post-COP Follow-up: - Organize briefing sessions on COP17 outcomes and key actions required from the Region - Support the Africa Group of Negotiators in promoting COP17 Outcomes to Regional policies - Support dissemination of key decisions and follow-up actions in Africa region.

Qualifications/special skills

- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental policy, international relations, international law, development studies or related field is required. - Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in international environmental policy, multilateral negotiations, sustainable development or related areas is required. - Experience supporting COP or intergovernmental negotiation processes is highly desirable. - Demonstrated experience collaborating with Regional Liaison Officers (RLOs) and in-depth knowledge of the preparatory, technical and political processes of the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) is desirable.

Languages

- Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.

Additional Information

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.

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.