Flagship Resource Mobilization & Innovative Finance

Result of ServiceProgress in the implementation of the GGW Flagship and ESEGGWI Projects. Work LocationHome based Expected duration12 months (between 01 June 2025 and 31 May 2026 ) Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground The objective of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is to combat desertification and land degradation, and to mitigate the effects of drought (DLDD) in affected countries around the world, particularly in Africa, through effective action at all levels. Established in 1994, the UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The Global Mechanism (GM) is an institution of the UNCCD, mandated to assist countries in the mobilization of financial resources from the public and private sector for activities that prevent, control or reverse desertification, land degradation and drought. The Global Mechanism is currently steering several activities related to the Green Great Wall Initiative, notably two projects respectively entitled “Strengthening Coordination and Implementation of the Great Green Wall Initiative – Phase 2: Enhancing Sustainability and Expansion of the Great Green Wall Initiative’’ (ESEGGWI), funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and “The Great Green Wall for Ecosystem Restoration and Peace (GGW Flagship)” funded by the UN Decade for ecosystem restoration multi-partner trust fund (MPTF), and implemented by the Food And Agriculture Organization with support from UNCCD. The Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative was launched in 2007 under the leadership of the African Union and Pan-African Agency of the GGW. It aims to restore Africa’s degraded landscapes and transform millions of lives in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions, the Sahel. In recent years, the GGW vision has evolved into an integrated ecosystem management approach, striving for a mosaic of different land use and production systems. Hence the GGW should be understood as a strategic comprehensive national and regional development plan focusing not only on environmental protection but also combining economic and social dimensions and ensuring synergies among the various existing policies and programs that contribute to its strategy and goals. UNCCD is seeking to hire a GGW Flagship Resource Mobilization & Innovative Finance Consultant to lead efforts in securing funding and successfully mobilize resources for the GGW initiative through the GGW Flagship and ESEGGWI Projects in their efforts to contribute towards combatting desertification, land degradation, and drought while strengthening regional cooperation and ensuring security and prosperity in the region. The consultant will provide technical support to the team, which will consist of both UNCCD and GGWI staff, as well as relevant stakeholders in the region. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the overall supervision of the Global Mechanism Director, and the direct supervision of the Great Green Wall Accelerator’s Programme Management Officer, the consultant will mobilize resources through innovative finance approaches by: 1. Implementing the GGW initiative’s 2025-2030 Resource mobilization Strategy through a detailed plan of action elaborated in an inception report. 2. Drafting, developing and submitting project proposals, idea notes and concept notes aligned with UNCCD COP16 pledges and donor requirements. 3. Organizing and managing 2 (two) high-level donor engagement events, ensuring smooth logistical execution. 4. Facilitating matchmaking platforms for GGW Flagship ecopreneurs and investors at conferences and events. 5. Further exploring partnerships in the private sector regarding sustainable and fair carbon sequestration and carbon credit opportunities for the GGW. 6. Systematically updating existing key donor mapping, strategies, and resource mobilization opportunities in the GGW region. 7. Building engagement strategies with market access providers, impact investors, and key donors. 8. Supporting the creation of viable business models to attract funding for restoration projects with GGW Entrepreneurs. 9. Performing other duties as assigned. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced degree (Master's or PhD) in a relevant field such as international management, political science, management, environmental science, or sustainable development; environmental finance, fundraising or a related field is required. At least 7 years of professional experience is required. Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization and donor engagement for large-scale projects is required. Strong understanding of public and private funding mechanisms for environmental restoration is required. Excellent networking, proposal writing, and negotiation skills is required. Familiarity with the GGW Initiative or large-scale Ecosystem restoration initiatives, ecosystem restoration principles, and international reporting standards is required . Experience working with relevant stakeholders in the region, including governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector is required. Strong analytical and writing skills are required. LanguagesFor this consultancy, fluency in both verbal and written English and French languages are required. Knowledge of a third United Nations Language such as Arabic, is advantageous. Additional InformationOnly 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 10 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 10 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 FeeTHE 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.