National Reporting Specialist

Organizational Setting

South Africa ratified the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 1997. The UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement linking the environment and development to sustainable land management. The vision of the UNCCD is to realize “a future that avoids, minimizes, and reverses desertification/land degradation and mitigates the effects of drought in affected areas at all levels – and to achieve a land degradation-neutral world consistent with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” The objective of the Convention is to support communities with the rehabilitation, conservation and sustainable management of land and water resources, leading to improved living conditions.

The implementation of the UNCCD is facilitated by the UNCCD 2018-2030 strategic framework which comprises of five strategic objectives and an underlying indicator framework, and an implementation framework. In South Africa, the implementation of the Convention is guided by the 2018 – 2030 Second National Action Programme; the Land Degradation Neutrality targets; the SADC Great Green Wall National Initiative – National Action Plan; and Drought Initiative. Action The implementation of the UNCCD is monitored through the UNCCD national reporting process during which Parties report on national level implementation to the COP. In accordance with the procedure established in decision 22/COP.11, reporting is facilitated through the provision to country Parties of national estimates of the indicators derived from global data sources as default data. Parties report on the following strategic objectives:

• Strategic objective 1: To improve the condition of affected ecosystems, combat desertification/land degradation, promote sustainable land management and contribute to land degradation neutrality.
• Strategic objective 2: To improve the living conditions of affected populations.
• Strategic objective 3: To mitigate, adapt to, and manage the effects of drought to enhance resilience of vulnerable populations and ecosystems.
• Strategic objective 4: To generate global environmental benefits through effective implementation of the UNCCD.
• Strategic objective 5: To mobilize substantial and additional financial and non-financial resources to support the implementation of the Convention by building effective partnerships at global and national level.

Reporting Lines

Under the oversight of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Tasks and responsibilities

A National Reporting Specialist is sought to prepare and develop the 2026 South Africa’s national report on the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, the national consultant will:

• Consider the addendum to the good practice guidance. SDG indicator 15.3.1 Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area. Version 2.0 (GPG Addendum_ Advanced Unedited Version.pdf) and e-learning videos tutorial released by the UNCCD on reporting;
• Go through the Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS) reporting manual and glossary (PRAIS4 Reporting Manual — PRAIS4 Reporting Manual);
• Familiarize themselves with PRAIS reporting portal, especially with its updated reporting forms, quantitative and qualitative tables, and its communication, geospatial and other functionalities.
• Identify sources of information through meetings and consultation with entities and sector Departments including the research institutions and come up with an approach on how such data will be solicited and analysed
• Undertaken consultations with national departments, public entities, public and private scientific institutions, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders on required data for reporting purposes.
• Develop the reporting road map with clear activities, outputs and timelines for the completion of the UNCCD Country report
• Liaise with the regional consultant to get guidance on the overall reporting process and advisory services on the capacity building programme for 2026 national reporting to ensure that the deliverables contribute to and align with the overall capacity building plan.
• Deliver presentations to different forums and Intergovernmental Working Group structures of government.
• Ensure integration of gender related aspects to the overall reporting process and produce the gender analysis report and its framework.
• Coordinate all project activities relating to reporting (procurement, stakeholder consultations, meetings, one-on-one sessions, training, financial reports, and the overall coordination of the report)
• Development of summary report for policymakers on the key findings and recommendations of the 2026 UNCCD National report
  Perform any other tasks as mutually agreed.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent, Doctor of Philosophy will be an added advantage) in natural/environmental science, agricultural studies, geography, GIS/Remote Sensing, Natural Resources Management and related discipline is required.
• A minimum 10 years of professional experience in natural/environmental science, agricultural studies, geography, GIS/Remote Sensing, Natural Resources Management
• Working knowledge (level C) in English
• National of South Africa

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Very good knowledge of the communication and documentation standards
• Very good knowledge of corporate computerized financial systems and administrative procedures and policies
• Very good knowledge of the organizational structure
• Stronger background and understanding in analysing biophysical and Socio-Economic data
• Experience with SDG indicator 15.3.1 – proportion of land that is degraded over total land area is an asset.
• Understanding of the UNCCD’s gender responsive strategy and its related approach including the ability to report on gender disaggregated data.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION