Senior Multilateral Diplomacy Expert

Result of Service

The consultant is expected to contribute to the successful political preparation and conduct of COP17 and related UNGA engagements through effective diplomatic outreach, strengthened coordination with Member States and UN entities, and successful facilitation of political negotiations and consensus-building processes within the COP and its high-level segment.

Work Location

Home-based.

Expected duration

2 months between 01 August and 30 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 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is preparing for the seventeenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP17), as well as related high-level engagements during the forthcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). These processes require sustained diplomatic engagement with Member States, regional groups, Permanent Missions, and relevant United Nations entities to ensure effective coordination, political outreach, and successful negotiation outcomes. Under the direct supervision of the Director of the UNCCD New York Liaison Office (NYLO), the secretariat envisages engaging a seasoned senior-level multilateral diplomacy expert to support high-level political engagement and coordination efforts in preparation for and during COP17 and the forthcoming UNGA session. The consultant will provide strategic diplomatic support, facilitate outreach with regional groups and national delegations, coordinate political inputs and in-session negotiations, and strengthen engagement with Permanent Missions and senior officials across the United Nations system and other relevant stakeholders. Duties & Responsibilities: Under the direct supervision of the Director of UNCCD NYLO, the consultant will undertake the following duties: - Liaise with the Permanent Mission of Mongolia, the host country, with regional groups, Member States, and national delegations in preparation for and during COP17 and the forthcoming general debate of the UNGA session; - Coordinate and facilitate political consultations and negotiations related to COP17 outcomes and other relevant intergovernmental processes; - Support the preparation, coordination, and management of in-session political outputs and related diplomatic engagements; - Undertake high-level contacts and outreach with Permanent Missions in New York to mobilize political support and enhance coordination on UNCCD priorities; - Liaise with heads of UN entities and other relevant stakeholders to galvanize support for UNCCD initiatives and COP17 outcomes; - Provide strategic advice on multilateral diplomacy, political messaging, and stakeholder engagement; - Support the drafting and review of political documents, talking points, statements, briefing notes, and diplomatic correspondence; - Facilitate coordination between the UNCCD secretariat, Member States, and relevant partners to ensure coherent engagement and timely follow-up; - Provide analytical inputs and updates on political developments relevant to the UNCCD agenda and COP17 negotiations; - Participate in meetings, consultations, and coordination mechanisms as requested by the supervising office.

Qualifications/special skills

- At least twenty-five (25) years of progressively responsible professional experience in multilateral diplomacy, political affairs, international negotiations, or related fields; - Proven experience in coordinating high-level multilateral processes and political negotiations within the United Nations system or similar international settings; - Demonstrated diplomatic, advocacy, and negotiation skills at senior levels; - Extensive knowledge of UN intergovernmental processes and the UNCCD agenda; - Experience working with Permanent Missions, regional groups, and senior UN officials; - Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and multicultural teams; - Experience engaging with civil society organizations, foundations, and advocacy groups is desirable.

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.