Guidelines
We offer a dynamic multicultural work environment with opportunities for professional development, together with a competitive remuneration package.
Around 80 people from over 40 countries are employed by the UNCCD. Our team brings together culturally diverse professionals from a broad range of backgrounds and expertise. Our differences make us stronger and enrich our work.
Contract types
Fixed-term contracts are usually granted for an initial period of one year and may be extended further, subject to business needs and individual performance.
Temporary contracts are granted for a period of up to 364 days and may be extended to a cumulative length of 729 days.
Staff position categories
Professional staff and directors (P and D) are recruited internationally for roles that require a high level of professional knowledge, functional skills and managerial abilities.
General services staff (GS) members are recruited locally to provide essential administrative and technical support.
Consultants and individual contractors
If you would like to dedicate yourself to a specific UNCCD project rather than a long-term career, you can apply directly to vacancies for consultants or individual contractors.
A consultant is a specialist in a specific field, engaged by the Convention in an advisory or consultative role. They perform results-oriented functions which normally involve analyzing problems, directing seminars or training courses, preparing documents for conferences and meetings, or writing reports on matters related to their area of expertise. Consultants typically have many years of relevant experience and are highly qualified in their area.
An individual contractor provides the Convention with expertise, skills or knowledge to perform a specific task within a certain time period. The assignment may involve full-time or part-time functions similar to those of staff members.
Duration of assignment
Consultants provide services up to a maximum of 24 months within any 36-month period.
Individual contractors provide services up to a maximum of six months, or in special circumstances nine months, in any period of twelve consecutive months.
Remuneration
A remuneration fee can be set daily, monthly or based on deliverables which are agreed on before signing the contract with the UNCCD. The fee is based on the level of responsibility and complexity of the assignment, as well as the knowledge, skills, qualifications and experience required for the position. Paid leave and insurance are not part of a consultant’s or contractor’s benefits package. If the assignment requires travel, it will be organized and reimbursed separately by the UNCCD.
Important notice
Only individuals who can act as independent, individual economic operators are qualified to apply. Individuals who can provide their services only as part of an institution or enterprise are not eligible under this procedure.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract are not considered “staff members” and are not entitled to certain benefits, such as paid leave or medical insurance. Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. The consultant or individual contractor is responsible for determining their tax liabilities and the payment of any taxes or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
How to apply
UNCCD is advertising its vacancies on the UN Career site: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx. For the application to be considered, applicants need to follow the application process as detailed in each vacancy and apply for positions through the link for a particular position on the UN Career site.
Please apply for job openings as indicated in the vacancy announcement and do not address or copy your application to an individual at the UNCCD secretariat, Global Mechanism or G20.
Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months of the deadline should consider their application unsuccessful. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.