Model United Nations Engagement Associate

Result of Service

Increased engagement between UNCCD and Model United Nations Ecosystem and good participation of MUN delegates at UNCCD CoP17.

Work Location

Home-based.

Expected duration

147 days between April and 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 G20 (or Group of Twenty) is the annual international forum for the governments of 19 industrialized countries, the European Union and the African Union. The G20 Leaders' Declaration, issued in November 2020, launched a "Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation and Enhancing Conservation of Terrestrial Habitats" (G20 Global Land Initiative or G20 GLI). Building on existing initiatives and on a voluntary basis, the G20 countries share the ambition to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the amount of degraded land by 2040. The G20 GLI Initiative Coordination Office, with oversight from UNCCD, was established to focus on capacity building, engaging the private sector and civil society and showcasing success. In August 2026, the UNCCD will organise its 17th Conference of Parties in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The G20 GLI Initiative Coordination Office will be actively engaged at the CoP organising series of activities in the run up to the CoP as well as during. Within this context the ICO plan to embark on global analyses of the Model United Nations (MUN) system to link the MUN delegates to the CoP of UNCCD. Service of a consultant is needed to support the ICO with this activity. Duties & Responsibilities: Under direct supervision of Paula Padrino Vilela, the consultant will contribute to; 1. Compile a global list of Model United Nations Organisers from around the world and reach out to them to encourage them to work with the UN Convention to Combat Desertification 2. Establish a global database of MUN Delegates with a view to linking them closely with the United Nations, specifically to the UNCCD. 3. Work with University of Mongolia to organize a Model United Nations focusing on the theme of Desertification, Drought, Sand and Dust Storms and Land Restoration. 4. Support other MUNs around the world to undertake MUNs focusing on Desertification, Drought, Sand and Dust Storms and Land Restoration. 5. Discuss with the Universities and CoP Organisers in Mongolia to facilitate accommodation of MUN delegates during UNCCD CoP in August 2026. 6. Develop, in consultation with CoP Task Forces and Youth Caucus a curated programme for MUN delegates registering for the CoP 17 of the UNCCD 7. Facilitate travel of and lead the curated programe of the MUN delegates and organisers at CoP17 8. Prepare a detailed report of CoP17 engagement of the Model United Nations and Make Recommendations for follow up beyond. 9. Provide support to the Programme Management Officer and Director of the G20 GLI on other tasks, as required

Qualifications/special skills

- A masters degree in communication and/or development studies or other related area is required. - A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in youth engagement, international outreach, partnership development, or stakeholder coordination is required - Demonstrated experience engaging with Model United Nations as a delegate, organiser, advisor, or in a leadership capacity is required. - Proven experience in partnership outreach and coordination with academic institutions or youth networks is required. - Experience organising international conferences, diplomatic simulations, or large-scale youth events is highly desirable. - Experience working with or within United Nations entities or other international organisations is an asset.

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. For remote consultancies, the selected candidate will be required to have a laptop or desktop PC (with Windows 11 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 11 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 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.