Gender Expert

Result of Service

- High-quality, evidence-based content and technical inputs that strengthen the GM’s gender portfolio. - Advance the contribution of the GM to the UNCCD Gender Action Plan. - Support future resource mobilization efforts and awareness raising on gender.

Work Location

Home-based.

Expected duration

09 months between May 2026 and January 2027.

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 Global Mechanism (GM) is the operational arm of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), mandated to assist countries in mobilizing finance for activities that prevent, control, or reverse desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD). This work is central to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15, Target 15.3 on Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). The GM recognizes that gender equality and women's empowerment are not just matters of social justice, but critical accelerators for effective land restoration and climate resilience. The effective implementation of the UNCCD's Gender Action Plan (GAP) is a top priority, requiring targeted technical support to move beyond mainstreaming towards gender-transformative approaches in all programming. The GM seeks an experienced Gender Consultant to provide specialized technical guidance and analytical support. The consultant will be responsible for contributing and reviewing initiatives with gender components, developing strategic knowledge products, and formulating pipeline project concepts to strengthen the GM's evidence base and enhance its resource mobilization for gender-responsive land management globally. Duties & Responsibilities: Under the overall supervision of the Managing Director of the Global Mechanism and relevant Programme Coordinators, the consultant will perform the following duties: - Review the deliverables and partnerships established with the GM of the UNCCD promoting gender equality, mainstreaming, or transformative approaches in the second phase of the LDN Target Setting (TSP 2.0) and in project design and implementation. - Review Gender assessments and gap analysis supported by the GM of the UNCCD and provide inputs to strengthen the final deliverables. - Lead the preparation of gender assessments and gap analysis for selected GM of the UNCCD implemented projects. - Develop appropriate data collection tool/s (e.g., surveys, interview guides, templates) to gather comprehensive information from partners on key deliverables, results, lessons learnt, and impacts related to gender-responsive DLDD/LDN action. - Prepare synthesis reports and awareness-raising materials on the key deliverables, results, lessons learnt, and impact of gender initiatives, particularly those under the Canada Grant and the Gender-transformative Resilience to Drought in Transition States in Southern Africa (GRDSA). - Prepare project concept notes to support the delivery of the UNCCD Gender Action Plan (GAP) and resource mobilization efforts. - Prepare briefing notes and a side event concept for COP17. - Participate and provide technical backstopping on gender in relevant internal and external events, workshops, and fora. - Produce reports on events attended, synthesizing key outcomes and recommendations relevant to the GM's gender portfolio.

Qualifications/special skills

- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Gender Studies, International Development, Social Sciences, or a related field with a strong focus on gender is required. A first-level university degree in a relevant discipline combined with substantial training and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. - At least 7 years of progressive experience working on gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, and gender-responsive programming, preferably in the context of international development, environmental sustainability is required. - Demonstrated experience in conducting gender assessments, gap analyses, or similar socio-economic research is required. - Proven experience in developing analytical reports, synthesis documents, and knowledge products for international organizations is required.

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.