COP17 Protocol assistance

Result of Service

Required general protocol services for High-level Segment, High-level social events and special events organized during COP17 are successfully provided.

Work Location

Hybrid(office and home-based)

Expected duration

01 June to 31 August 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) makes arrangements for sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and its subsidiary bodies established under the Convention and provides them with services as required. One of the secretariat’s key functions is the compilation and publication of reports for the information and guidance of delegates at the COP. Following the offer of the Government of Mongolia, the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) and meetings of its subsidiary bodies (CST17 and CRIC24) will take place from 17 to 28 August 2026 in Riyadh. The Governing Bodies and Legal Affairs Unit is in charge with planning and general coordination of core meetings of the UNCCD process. Among its responsibilities, one of the tasks refers to provision of protocol assistance to High-level segment and special events organized during COP17. Accordingly, the Unit is seeking to recruit one short-term consultant to assist with provision of required protocol services for the forthcoming COP17. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Chief of Unit, the assignments of the contractor will include the following: - Participates in planning, organizing and conducting ceremonies, meetings, conferences and events including the preparation of the list of participants, seating arrangements, and coordination of necessary documentation. - Provides support in organizing visits for the high-level delegations participating at the Heads of State Summit and Ministerial dialogues - Co-ordinates special needs for VVIPs who participate in the above-mentioned events at COP17 and escorts dignitaries when required; - Informs the relevant host country offices with regard to protocol norms and procedures and ensures required liaison with diplomatic missions. - Provides protocol services for high-level social events organized during COP17 and participates in organizing special events (e.g. concerts, exhibits, photo-ops, etc.) when required - Drafts routine correspondence for signature and maintains the VIP protocol list in liaison with the host country. - Liaises with local authorities, UNDSS and security structures at airport when required and ensures adequate follow-up for safe transportation of delegations from/to the airport - Liaises with the host country designated office and the corresponding security structures to ensure the necessary logistical and administrative support is provided for all above-mentioned events. - Performs other general protocol duties as assigned by the Chief of Unit;

Qualifications/special skills

- Completion of secondary education/high school diploma is required - A minimum of three years of experience in protocol, conference support or related area within the United Nations System is required. - Experience in organizing high-level events is desirable. - Experience in dealing with government offices is desirable

Languages

- Fluency in oral and written English is required.

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.