GM Editor - Consultant to write and design content for reports and project documents for print and online use

Result of Service

The consultancy will result in a series of high-quality and professionally edited documents that are published by the GM.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

06 months between April to October 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 Global Mechanism (GM) of the UNCCD is mandated to assist countries in the mobilization of financial resources from the public and private sector for activities that prevent, control or reverse desertification, land degradation and drought. As the operational arm of the convention, the GM supports countries to translate the Convention into action. The GM is currently spearheading several initiatives to implement its resource mobilization mandate by supporting countries in the development of a pipeline of projects and programmes for financing by donors and private sector partners. We are also promoting multi-sector, multi-stakeholder approaches to facilitate the financing and implementation of projects contributing to synergies across the objectives of the three Rio Conventions. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced writer, with a strong interest in environmental issues, to write, edit and design reports for the Global Mechanism. Additional supplementary products such as speeches, articles or policy briefs may be requested. The consultant will work in close collaboration with the staff across the GM. Duties & Responsibilities: Under direct supervision Managing Director of the Global Mechanism, the consultant will perform the following tasks: - Writing inspiring accounts on the flagship programmes of the GM- including for the Great Green Wall and other multi country programmes and initiatives, for publication on the UNCCD website and in GM print and digital publications. The consultant may also be asked to help edit internal documents that will be distributed widely. - Documenting innovative finance models and corporate programmes (such as gender/tenure, SDS, drought resilience, peace building, private sector engagement, debt-for-nature swaps, technology transfer, insurance, blended finance and carbon/biodiversity credits) for use in GM reports, donor communications, and publications. - Collating stories and information about the progress of GM projects & programmes to showcase a coherent rationale and narrative for investment. - Preparing speeches and articles as needed, on GM initiatives, for senior GM and Secretariat staff who may be asked to speak about GM initiatives at events and functions. The products should meet the needs of an informed but non-technical audience, ensuring that insights and findings and their underlying complexities are communicated in accessible and easy to understand language. Content should be concise. The consultant is expected to collaborate with GM and relevant Secretariat staff on designing, final editing and proofreading of publications. The consultant is expected to collaborate with GM staff on designing, final editing and proofreading of the publication.

Qualifications/special skills

- Advanced university degree in journalism, media or communication, climate change, development, environmental science, agriculture, forestry, climate change, public policy, or related fields is required. - A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in report preparation, technical writing or editing or other editorial areas, project management, policy, communications, or media is required, additional experience, in particular international experience, is an advantage. Substantial previous experience in writing products for policymakers and non-technical audience is required. - Substantial previous experience in writing online/offline publications is required. - Excellent interpersonal, communication and co-creation skills required. - Superb writing and editing skills, including a strong understanding of storytelling as well as a strong background in editorial work 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.