Technical Coordinator for UNCCD National Reporting

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The organization also works to ensure that the global food supply is safe and nutritious, and that food systems are resilient to climate change and other shocks.

Job Overview:
The coordinator" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Technical Coordinator for UNCCD National Reporting will play a crucial role in the effective implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) by overseeing the national reporting process. This position involves coordinating with various stakeholders, including technical experts, government counterparts, and international organizations, to ensure that the reporting outputs are accurate, comprehensive, and aligned with the strategic objectives of the UNCCD. The coordinator will be responsible for integrating national data into the reporting framework, ensuring methodological coherence across different strategic objectives, and validating all indicators and narratives before submission. The role requires a strong understanding of environmental issues, data management, and the ability to communicate complex technical content clearly to diverse audiences. The incumbent will also contribute to enhancing national ownership of the reporting process and fostering informed decision-making at both national and local levels.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Coordinator will lead the planning, coordination, and supervision of all technical experts involved in the UNCCD reporting process. Key responsibilities include:

• Identifying and collecting national data required for various strategic objectives, including land degradation indicators and institutional frameworks.
• Supporting the co-development of decision-support tools and ensuring their effective use post-report completion.
• Ensuring methodological coherence across all strategic objectives, including socioeconomic factors, drought resilience, biodiversity, and resource management.
• Serving as the primary technical interface with FAO, UNCCD Secretariat, and national counterparts.
• Validating all indicators, narratives, and institutional frameworks before submission.
• Consolidating inputs from experts into a coherent national report.
• Leading responses to technical comments from FAO, UNCCD, and peer reviewers.
• Overseeing timelines, deliverables, and risk management related to reporting.
• Addressing cross-cutting issues such as gender and intercultural approaches. 1
• Participating in relevant workshops and meetings to provide expert input and gather information.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in environmental sciences, natural resource management, economics, geography, anthropology, or related fields. Additionally, a minimum of five years of documented professional experience related to the area of work in this position is required. Candidates should demonstrate solid experience with socio-environmental analysis, indicator-based frameworks, and results-based management, particularly in international reporting processes. A strong understanding of institutional arrangements and governance mechanisms related to environmental and climate agendas is essential. Excellent analytical, writing, and technical editing skills are necessary, along with the ability to communicate complex technical content clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Proven experience in coordinating or leading projects within international organizations or development agencies is also required.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as environmental sciences, natural resource management, economics, geography, or anthropology. Candidates must have their educational qualifications recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED), ensuring that their degrees are from accredited institutions. This requirement underscores the importance of having a solid academic foundation to effectively perform the duties associated with the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of documented professional experience in areas related to environmental sciences, natural resource management, or similar fields. This experience should include involvement in international reporting processes and familiarity with socio-environmental policies and safeguard frameworks of international institutions. Previous experience interacting with government counterparts, UN agencies, and international partners is highly desirable, as it demonstrates the ability to navigate complex institutional landscapes and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

Languages:
A working knowledge (level C) of English and Portuguese is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in Spanish is considered an important additional asset, as it may facilitate communication with a broader range of stakeholders and enhance collaboration within the region.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates should note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from accredited institutions recognized in the WHED. The appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. This position may involve a contract duration that extends until February 2027, reflecting the timeline for the UNCCD national reporting outputs.