UNCCD CoP17 Pavilion Coordinator

Result of Service

The G20 Global Land Initiative Land Pavilion at UNCCD COP17 is designed, constructed, and operated successfully, delivering a high-quality, well-attended venue that effectively showcases land restoration efforts and facilitates meaningful engagement among participants.

Work Location

Home-based.

Expected duration

80 days between May 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 Coordination Office, with oversight from UNCCD, was established to focus on capacity building, engaging the private sector and civil society, and showcasing success. The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UNCCD will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026. As part of its engagement, the G20 Global Land Initiative will host a dedicated Land Pavilion to showcase restoration solutions, facilitate dialogue, and foster partnerships. To ensure the successful design, construction, and operation of the Pavilion, a dedicated Coordinator is required to manage all logistical, operational, and stakeholder coordination aspects. Duties & Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Director, G20 Global Land Initiative, the consultant will: 1. Coordinate Pavilion Design and Construction – Act as the primary liaison between the Pavilion designer, the construction team, and the UNCCD/G20 GLI management. Travel to Ulaanbaatar in advance of COP17 to oversee the construction phase and ensure timelines, quality, and safety standards are met. 2. Manage Exhibitor and Side Event Coordination – Serve as the central point of contact for all entities exhibiting within the Pavilion or organizing side events. Facilitate their logistical needs, coordinate schedules, and ensure alignment with Pavilion objectives. 3. Optimize Moderator and Event Timelines – Work closely with moderators and event organizers to create a streamlined schedule that maximizes moderator availability and ensures smooth transitions between sessions. 4. Develop and Disseminate Activity Schedule – Prepare a detailed schedule of Pavilion activities in advance, aligning with the thematic days defined by the Pavilion concept. Distribute the schedule to all participating parties in a timely manner. 5. Maximize Visitor Engagement – Develop and implement strategies to attract and engage visitors to the Pavilion, including coordination with the communications team for promotion and on-site visibility. 6. Coordinate Communication Materials – Liaise between the designer of communication materials and event organizers to ensure that branding, signage, and promotional materials are produced and placed effectively. 7. Oversee Catering and Hospitality – Coordinate all catering and hospitality services associated with Pavilion events, including receptions, side events, and VIP visits. 8. Manage Staff and Volunteer Rosters – Develop a roster plan and assign shifts to volunteers and staff working at the Pavilion. Ensure adequate coverage and provide on-site guidance during COP17. 9. Provide On-site Operational Leadership – During the COP17 period, act as the on-site operational lead, troubleshooting issues, liaising with venue management, and ensuring the smooth execution of all Pavilion activities. 10. Report and Document – Submit monthly progress reports, and after the conclusion of COP17, provide a final report with lessons learned and recommendations for future Pavilions.

Qualifications/special skills

- A master degree in engineering, architecture, design, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is an asset. - A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in project management, preferably in the context of design, event management, facility management, exhibitions, pavilions, or construction coordination. - Demonstrated experience in coordinating between multiple stakeholders, including designers, contractors, exhibitors, and event organizers is required. - Proven ability to manage complex schedules, develop operational plans, and lead on-site teams desirable. - Experience working with international organizations, United Nations entities, or COP-style conferences is highly 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. 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.