United Nations – United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Junior Professional Officer Program (JPO) Chiffre Nr. 2026-2-38 - JPO Junior Policy Officer

United Nations – United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD)
Junior Professional Officer Program (JPO) Chiffre Nr. 2026-2-38
TERMS OF REFERENCE
I. General Information
Title: JPO Junior Policy Officer
Sector of Assignment: Drought Resilience, Sustainable Land Management & Food Security
Organization/Office: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) / The
Global Policy Advocacy and Regional Cooperation (GPARC) Unit
Country and Duty Station: Bonn, Germany
Duration of assignment: 2 years with possibility of extension for another year. The
extension of appointment is subject to yearly review concerning priorities, availability of
funds, and satisfactory performance
Please note that for participants of the JPO-Programme two years work experience are
mandatory! Relevant work experience can be counted. In order to assess the eligibility of
the candidates, we review the relevant experience acquired after obtaining the first university
degree (usually bachelor’s degree).
II. Supervision
Direct Supervision by:
Programme Officer (Drought)
Content and methodology of supervision:
Establishment of a Work Plan: During the first month of the assignment, the Junior
Professional Officer (JPO) will work jointly with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed
upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the JPO and
his/her supervisor.
Evaluation: The United Nations Performance Evaluation System (e-performance) will serve
as a primary platform to evaluate the JPO’s performance. He/she will have daily contact with
the supervisors. Desired results and anticipated problems will be discussed beforehand with
the incumbent. Depending on the incumbent’s progress, regular feedback on the progress of
activities will be given by the supervisor. He/she will have a work program and will be
assessed according to the implementation of the program.
III. Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations
Under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer (Drought), and in close collaboration
with colleagues in the Global Policy, Advocacy & Regional Coordination Unit as well other
units, the Junior Policy Officer will:
1. Policy and Technical Support
• Contribute to political initiatives, policy research and drafting on drought resilience,
land degradation, and land-based approaches to food security.
• Provide inputs into UNCCD documents to strengthen the focus on food security and
agricultural systems under stress.
• Engage with the UNCCD Community of Learning and Practice to exchange
knowledge, identify emerging trends, and support evidence-based policy
recommendations on drought resilience and land management.
• Support capacity-building initiatives for national and regional stakeholders, facilitating
exchange of good practices through workshops, webinars, and the UNCCD
knowledge sharing platforms.
2. Explore synergies between land, climate and (agro)biodiversity
• Contribute to analysis and reporting at the interface of the UNCCD, UNFCCC, and
UNCBD on topics such as sustainable land management, land-based adaptation,
ecosystem restoration, and agroecology.
• Monitor and analyze outcomes of the UNCCD COP sessions on drought and related
topics to inform policy advocacy and programme development.
• Reach out and liaise with other relevant initiatives, i.e. the Riyadh Global Drought
Resilience Partnership.
3. Gender Mainstreaming
• Support gender analyses related to drought vulnerability, land use, and food systems.
• Assist in identifying and documenting good practices in women’s empowerment in
drought risk reduction and sustainable agriculture.
• Document and disseminate lessons learned on women’s empowerment in drought
risk reduction through the UNCCD knowledge-sharing platforms.
4. Project and Partnership Support / Interface with Global Mechanism
• Support coordination and monitoring of drought and food security-related projects,
including follow-up with implementing partners.
• Liaise with external partners (e.g., FAO, IFAD, WFP, UNFCCC, CBD) as needed.
IV. Qualifications and Experience
Education:
Master’s degree in international development, sustainable land management, natural
resources management, land governance, Development Economics or a related field.
Additional qualifications in communications or political and social sciences would be an
advantage.
Work experience:
A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in one or more of the following
areas: food security, sustainable agriculture, drought resilience, sustainable land and water
management, or environmental policy. Familiarity with multilateral processes, including the
UN and Rio Conventions, is an advantage.
Languages:
For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is
an advantage.
Other Skills:
Excellent interpersonal skills, specifically in a multicultural working environment, written and
oral communication, multitasking and analytical skills. Experience researching, drafting, and
editing complex documents for publication is desirable. Good understanding of the policy and
technical dimensions of drought, food security, and land degradation. Knowledge of gender-
responsive and transformative approaches in development or environmental contexts. Ability
to work effectively in a multicultural environment and across teams. Strong organizational
and time management skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaborative platforms (e.g.,
SharePoint, Teams).
UN competencies:
PROFESSIONALISM: Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional
competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting
commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather
than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
Remains calm in stressful situations.
COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly
interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and
exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format
to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people
informed.
PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed
strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and
allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as
necessary; Uses time efficiently.
Workforce Diversity
The United Nations believes that an inclusive culture attracts the best talent and encourages
all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, disability, sexual orientation, cultural or
religious backgrounds, to apply.
V. Learning Elements
On completion of the assignment, the JPO will have/be able to:
• Gain practical experience in international environmental diplomacy and policy
processes.
• Develop technical and policy expertise on land degradation, drought resilience, and
food systems.
• Build familiarity with intergovernmental coordination, including collaboration across
the UNCCD, UNFCCC, and CBD.
• Expand professional networks with UN agencies, civil society, academia, and
governments.
• Be able to develop and assess project proposals and understand project cycle
management and draft budgets according to UN standards.
• Understand intergovernmental negotiations in a multilateral environmental
agreement.
• Work effectively across teams in a diverse and multi-cultural environment
VI. Background Information
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), one
of the three “Rio conventions” is the sole legally binding international agreement linking
environment and development to sustainable land management. The UNCCD provides the
foundation for its 197 Parties to work together to combat desertification, land degradation and
mitigate the effects of drought; maintain and restore land and soil productivity, and improve the
living conditions for people.
Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the
sole legally binding international agreement linking the environment and development to
sustainable land management. The vision of the UNCCD and its 197 Parties is to realize “a
future that avoids, minimizes, and reverses desertification/land degradation and mitigates the
effects of drought in affected areas at all levels – and to achieve a land degradation-neutral
world consistent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” The objective of the
Convention is to support countries and communities with the rehabilitation, conservation and
sustainable management of land and water resources, leading to improved living conditions.
The escalating frequency and severity of droughts, exacerbated by climate change, emphasize
the urgent need for enhanced drought resilience. Droughts also pose significant threats to
ecosystems and livelihoods, causing more deaths than any other weather-related disaster and
resulting in substantial economic losses.
The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD) held in Riyadh from December 2 to 13, 2024 underscored the
mounting global challenges of drought, leading to substantial financial commitments and the
recognition for the need of strengthening capacities and developing innovative tools and
technologies to tackle this pressing global challenge. UNCCD Parties also adopted specific
decisions on building drought resilience of affected Parties, requesting the Global Mechanism
(GM) and the secretariat of the UNCCD to support Parties in creating an enabling environment
at the national level to (i) facilitate the implementation of national drought plans or other policies
and frameworks related to drought; (ii) forge specific partnerships to mobilize technical and
financial support for projects and programmes on drought; and (iii) collaborate with relevant
programmes and to support Parties in leveraging finance through relevant mechanisms
(Decision 3/COP.16).
Drought and land degradation are increasingly undermining agricultural productivity, rural
livelihoods, and ecosystems health. These stressors have profound implications for food
security, particularly in drought-prone and resource-scarce regions. The UNCCD works at the
intersection of the Rio Conventions (UNCCD, UNFCCC, and UNCBD) to address these
challenges through integrated, land-based solutions.
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