Consultant: Climate Change, Land Degradation, Desertification and Biodiversity

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women’s Intergovernmental Support Division (IGSD) works to ensure that global norms, policies and standards on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls is strengthened and implemented.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Policy Advisor and the Intergovernmental Specialist, Intergovernmental Support Division, the consultant is expected to provide support in carrying out work on the following thematic areas: climate change, land degradation, desertification and biodiversity, with the over-all aim of advancing gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls and their human rights in these areas of work. 

Provide Analytical and Research Support:

• Assist in substantive preparations for UN Women’s participation in intergovernmental processes and meetings (e.g., UNFCCC, UNCCD, UNCBD). This includes drafting briefing notes, speeches and presentations;
• Conduct research, provide inputs and draft elements to inform UN Women’s key messages and submissions on the thematic areas of work, with a focus on gender dimensions and interlinkages with achieving SDG Goal 5;
• Assist in the preparation of articles for publication, materials for the press and documents for events and expert meetings on the thematic areas of work;
• Draft other papers and background documents as needed.

Provide Intergovernmental Support:

• Assist in UN Women’s engagements in UNFCCC, UNCCD, UNCBD, and migration-related processes and prepare reports on meetings attended or monitored;
• Assist in UN Women’s outreach to Member States under the direction of the supervisors.

Provide Coordination and Logistical Support:

• Assist in organizing related meetings, consultations, workshops;
• Assist in liaising with UN Women’s partners and forge partnerships to advance work on thematic areas of focus;
• Prepare updated content for uploading into the UN Women website and the climate change and sustainable development webpage/intranet of UN Women;
• Assist, as needed, in the preparation of programme proposals and narrative and donor reports.

Perform any other functions as requested.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Quality research and analysis;
• Timely and quality drafts and inputs;
• Timely and quality liaison and coordination work;
• Timely and quality support on other related tasks.

Education:

Master’s degree in environment-related studies, social science, international relations or other relevant fields.

Professional Experience:

At least three years of combined work experience in these areas: climate change, land degradation, biodiversity, sustainable development, women’s rights, women’s leadership and participation; Worked on climate change, land degradation, desertification and drought, other environment issues and the 2030 Agenda demonstrated in written output or related work; Experience in following UN intergovernmental processes, including the three Rio Conventions -- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, an advantage.

Other skills and experience:

Ability to initiate and carry out research, draft, proof-read and edit, documents and other official materials with the demonstration of the use of IT skills;

Familiarity with the UN System, including monitoring intergovernmental processes;

Experience in liaising and establishing partnerships;

Knowledge of issues on and experience in promoting women’s rights, women’s participation and leadership an advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required;
• Knowledge of French or Spanish is an asset.