Non-State Actors and Communications Consultant

Result of Service

The objective of this consultancy is to support targeted the work with the youth, indigenous peoples, non-state actors and communications activities related to the flagship initiatives of the UNCCD secretariat. This includes support to the development and implementation of communications strategies, production of information materials, reports and preparation and organization of key events.

Work Location

Home-based.

Expected duration

5 months 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 UNCCD secretariat seeks an experienced and highly motivated non-state actors and communications consultant to support strategic activities related to the UNCCD Communications Strategy, strategy for non-state actors (youth, indigenous peoples, local communities and civil society organisations) including flagships campaigns, development of multimedia and multilingual communications materials, and preparation and organization of key events, notably the Desertification and Drought Day, International Youth Day (IYD) and the 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNCCD in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in August. Duties & Responsibilities: 1. Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Communications, External Relations and Partnerships (CERP) unit and direct supervision of the External Relations Officer, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: - Facilitate the engagement with the UNCCD Youth Forum - Organize consultations for the implementation of decision 5/COP16, the outcomes of the forums related to non-state actors. - Support with the engagement of the UNCCD Land Heroes - Drafting and dissemination of key messages relating to the non-state actors engagement within the convention - Support to the development of reports, policy briefs, factsheets, information materials, etc. 2. Support communications activities related to flagships campaigns of the secretariat related to youth, indigenous peoples, local communities, civil society organisations, gender, drought and land restoration as required. Specific areas of focus should include, but not limited to the following: - Development of communications plans on the occasion of international days, relevant consultations and meetings, etc. - Elaboration and implementation of social media plans, in close collaboration with the UNCCD communications team - Development of multimedia and multilingual communications assets, including social media cards, infographics, short videos, etc. - Support to the preparation and the organization of the Desertification and Drought Day, IYD and COP17.

Qualifications/special skills

- Master’s degree in public relations or communications is required. - A minimum of 5 years of work experience in the field of public relations or media is required. - Demonstrated experience in developing international advocacy strategies and campaigns is required. - Experience in engaging with non-state actors 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.