Outreach and Partnerships Officer (COP16)

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 128,450 USD and 165,609 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting 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.

The functions of the secretariat are, among others, to make arrangements for sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and its subsidiary bodies. In addition, the secretariat also provides assistance to Parties in implementing the Convention. UNCCD COP16 is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2-13 December 2024. COP16 will bring together leaders from governments, the private sector, civil society and other key stakeholders from around the world to accelerate progress in sustainable land management and drought resilience.

The mission of the Communications, External Relations and Partnerships (CERP) unit is to elevate the UNCCD issues on the global agenda and build coalitions for action to address desertification, land degradation and drought. To achieve this goal, the unit communicates relevant and persuasive policy messages, promotes the brand and overall reputation of the institution, bridges the science-policy interface, and builds partnerships that expand the UNCCD’s reach with key stakeholders such as civil society, the media and the private sector.

This position is located in the UNCCD Headquarters in Bonn, Germany. The incumbent reports to the Chief, CERP Unit.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, and under the guidance and direct supervision of the Chief of Unit, Outreach and Partnerships Officer (COP16) will be responsible for the following duties:

In the context of the broader UNCCD Partnerships Strategy, contributes to the effective engagement with UNCCD non-Party stakeholders, including UN entities, civil society organizations (CSOs), faith-based groups, youth, local and regional authorities, parliamentarians and the private sector. Provides substantive inputs for the development of strategic partnerships with key constituencies to solicit support for and maximize impact of programmatic and advocacy objectives.

Facilitates the participation of non-Party stakeholders in UNCCD COP16, including managing the accreditation process, preparing official documentation on accreditation of observers to be submitted to the COP for consideration and action, and advising on administrative and technical aspects of engagement with non-Party stakeholders in support of the implementation of the UNCCD Strategic Framework 2018-2030 and biennial work programme.

Develops frameworks and workplans for COP16 engagement for targeted stakeholders including parliamentarians, youth, private sector and regional and local authorities in collaboration with relevant units of the UNCCD secretariat and the Global Mechanism and COP16 Host Country. Takes the lead on all programmatic and organizational aspects of non-Party stakeholder events at COP16, including the Business, Civil Society and Youth Forums.

Contributes to the development and implementation of effective outreach strategies and plans to enhance the visibility of UNCCD COP16, including engagement with high-profile personalities, youth, private sector and civil society leaders and influencers.

Represents UNCCD at external meetings and events (upon request from the Chief of Unit), on relevant initiatives/issues, fulfils speaking engagements and makes presentations to groups on UNCCD activities and advocate issues of concern, and organizes public and stakeholder events to raise UNCCD visibility and promote collective action to address desertification, land degradation and drought.

Contributes to the planning and carries out the work plan under his/her responsibility, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery; ensures that the outputs produced by the Unit meet high-quality standards and support relevant UNCCD mandates.

Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Unit, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, staff recruitment and management. Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Unit and across organizational boundaries.

Performs any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of the UNCCD and as required by the Executive Secretary.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the subject. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to establish and foster successful partnerships and collaborations. Ability to identify strategic opportunities for achieving the agenda of the Department. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and 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.

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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, management, economics, social sciences, law or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible relevant experience in external relations, project or programme management is required, of which at least two (2) at the international level.

Experience in building strategic alliances and partnerships with stakeholders (e.g., youth, parliamentary, private sector) on environment and sustainable development issues is required.

Experience working in intergovernmental and/or inter-agency processes is required.

Experience in event management is desirable.

Languages For this position, fluency in oral and written English and working knowledge of another UN official language is required.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice This position is temporary nature for initial duration of 364 days. Extension of appointment is subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UNCCD in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.