Chief, Global Policy Advocacy and Regional Cooperation in Bonn bei United Nations

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).
The mission of the Global Policy, Advocacy and Regional Cooperation (GPARC) Unit is to position the UNCCD as a credible and trusted partner in addressing DLDD. To achieve this goal, the Unit develops and then communicates relevant and persuasive policy messages to decision makers at all levels. It places a special emphasis on supporting the work of Parties at regional level to elevate DLDD agenda as a political priority and to facilitate support to the national efforts in the implementation of the objectives of the convention.

Under the general supervision of the Under Secretary General, Executive Secretary and direct oversight from the Deputy Executive Secretary, the Chief Global Policy, Advocacy and Regional Cooperation (GPARC) Unit will have the following responsibilities and tasks:

1. Provides advice and guidance on strategy and policy advocacy to the Executive Secretary, Secretariat, Global Mechanism, and key partners. Acts as the main contact on ways and means to enhance the delivery of policy, derived from Country of Parties (COP) decisions, and included in the programme of work or otherwise, related to DLDD.
2. Develops and maintains relations with national focal points and senior officials of state Parties to the Convention and ensures an appropriate response to requests for advice and support on policy matters.
3. Analyses critical policy issues in the context of the DLDD [mainly climate change, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and forestry, drought and water scarcity, disaster risk management, sand and dust storms, migration, gender, and rights-based approaches]. Leads research on the identification of new and emerging issues and presents plausible recommendations for action.
4. Provides substantive input in the preparation of UNCCD reports, studies, background papers, policy guidelines, correspondence, presentations, background papers, policy guidelines, parliamentary documents, etc.
5. Works with other Units, to mainstream the prioritized policy issues in the different internal workstreams, and collaborates with different Units, and particularly with Communication, External Relations and Partnerships (CERP)in the identification, promotion and development of strategic partnerships.
6. Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Unit; ensures that substantive work programmes and activities are carried out in a timely fashion and to the highest quality standards, coordinating diverse initiatives and projects in the Unit, and, in liaison with other UNCCD units, specialized organizations of the UN System, donors and agencies as appropriate.
7. Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Unit, including preparation of budgets, monitoring and reporting on results, evaluation of staff performance (ePAS), interviewing of candidates for vacancies taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values, managing, training, and fostering teamwork and communication among staff in the Unit and across organizational boundaries.
8. Performs any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of the unit, sub-unit, programme or the secretariat.

Professionalism: Proven knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to sustainable development. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities, and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment. Proven ability to analyze complex data and produce reports leading to sound policy recommendations for achieving sustainable development; Solid understanding of the political environment and the programmes and activities of the UN system in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals; Ability to think strategically, to identify key emerging sustainable development issues and related policy implications. 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