Consultancy: Senior expert on sand and dust storms to produce assessments for select countries and regions

Produce and validate up to 20 SDS country profiles.

Home-based.

November 2026 to November 2027.

Background note: 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) Sand and dust storms (SDS) are becoming one of the most overlooked yet far-reaching global challenges of our time. In 2025, over 330 million people were affected across 150 countries, often with significant negative impacts on local livelihoods, human health, and regional economies. Parties to the UNCCD have specifically requested support for their efforts to combat SDS, in particular to identify and manage new and emerging SDS sources. Accurate and up-to-date maps are essential for planning, designing, and implementing effective SDS source management interventions. Once SDS sources have been identified, the next step is to determine the appropriate response measures. The SDS Toolbox contains descriptions of the most common approaches and methods used to identify and map SDS source areas, as well as a searchable inventory of tools, technologies, and good practices that can be used to manage existing sources, as well as prevent the creation of new sources. (https://www.unccd.int/land-and-life/sand-and-dust-storms/toolbox) Duties & Responsibilities: Under direct supervision of the Science-Policy and Digital Transformation (SPDT) unit and the responsible officer, the consultant will produce and validate up to 20 SDS country profiles (in the form of individual reports and digital packages) that will necessarily involve: - The application of SDS source detection methods and tools, using available datasets and other forms of information as appropriate to national circumstances, to (i) process and analyze historical trends and (ii) identify and map areas experiencing wind erosion or that are vulnerable to becoming a source of aeolian processes; and - The production, assembly, and editing of a structured series of maps and other data visualization outputs with robust technical references, as well as an insightful narrative for decision-makers with recommended options for source management.

- A doctorate degree in the environmental or physical sciences, or other related domain is required. - A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in fields of remote sensing, modelling and monitoring techniques, geoinformatics, or project development related to sand and dust storms is required.

Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.

Only 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 11 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 11 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.

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.