United Nations

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 (DLDD) (www.unccd.int) The G20 (or Group of Twenty) is the annual international forum for the governments from 19 industrialized countries and the European Union (EU). Collectively, the G20 economies account for around 90 percent of the gross world product (GWP), 75 percent of world trade, two-thirds of the world population, and approximately half of the world’s land area. In 2020, Saudi Araba held the rotating Presidency of the G20. The G20 Leaders’ Declaration, issued on Sunday, 22 November 2020, launched a "Global Initiative on Reducing Land Degradation and Enhancing Conservation of Terrestrial Habitats”. Building on existing initiatives and on a voluntary basis, the G20 countries share the ambition to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the amount of degraded land by 2040. The G20 Global Land Initiative (GLI) with oversight from UNCCD, will focus on capacity building, engaging the private sector and civil society and showcasing success. Working with youth, women and the indigenous community will all be key to the success of the project. The Director, under the oversight of the Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, manages the Initiative Coordination Office (ICO). Program Officer (Training Coordination) will be a key member of the G20 team tasked with achieving global capacity building through universities, online and other bespoke training progammes. This position is based in UNCCD HQs, Bonn, Germany and incumbent reports to responsible Programme Officer and the Director of the G20 GLI

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the main responsibility of the incumbent is to lead, advise and support the capacity building plans and activities of the G20 GLI: • Take charge of the G20 GLI vision to empower one million university graduates and million professionals through training in restoration. • Develop an implementation plan for operationalizing the vision for massive online and offline training. • Support all G20 GLI team members to develop the needed capacity building programmes for their domains. • Represent the G20 GLI at various international events and relating for a focused on capacity building. University Curriculum and courses - Identify key counterpart institutions for undertaking curriculum and course development and training of the trainer (ToT) programmes on land and ecosystem restoration for Agriculture, Forestry, Urban Land Use, Mining and Business Schools. - Collaborate with the Associate Programme Management Officer to develop the partnerships agreements essential for executing the courses development and ToTs. - Collaborate with the communications team to promote the curriculums, courses, and other training programmes globally through all possible media and venues. - Support the partners through the implementation of the curriculum development and ToT programmes. - Establish a system for continuous monitoring and improvement of the programmes. Short Term Trainings - Identify the key short-term training to be developed in various landforms together with the thematic experts. - Support the training needs of the information management and communication team. - Identify external partners and consultants who can develop and deliver such programmes and work with Associate Programme Management Officer to hire consultants and engage partners. - Work with the communications team to promote the training programmes globally through all possible media and venues. - Support the partners and consultants through the implementation of the short-term training programme. - Establish a system for continuous monitoring and improvement of the programmes. Online Trainings - Develop a curriculum for the online version of the offline training programmes being delivered by the G20 Global GLI. - Identify suitable online platforms to host the training programmes and negotiate for optimal, cost-effective long-term arrangements - Identify experts and partners who can develop and deliver online courses and working with Associate Programme Management Officer to engage in partnerships. - Work with the communications team to promote the online training programmes/curriculum and courses globally through all possible media and venues. - Support the partners and consultants through the implementation of the online training programme. - Establish a system for continuous monitoring and improvement of the programmes. Other Duties Performs any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of the G20 GLI and its office.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of different aspects of training and capacity building engagement. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of policy developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement stakeholder engagement strategies. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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. 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. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in science, education, training and development, business administration, journalism, public administration or related field is required. A first-level degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in training coordination is required. Experience in project management, contracting with partners (supervision) designing and conducting training programs is required. Experience with crafting and leading advocacy activities aimed at policy influence and adoption at the international level is desirable. Experience working in an international context or multilateral institution is desirable. Experience in planning and organizing events and/or conferences is desirable.

Languages

For this this position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language would be an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year. This is an extrabudgetary funded position. The appointment or assignment and renewal therefore are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.