Request for an Associate Expert in
the Knowledge Management, Science and Technology unit (KMST Unit) of
the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
(UNCCD)
JOB DESCRIPTION
INT-200-09-P097 (July 2009)
General Information
Title:
Associate Expert in Knowledge Management
Duration:
1 year (with possible extension for another year)
Date Required:
As soon as possible
Duty Station (location, sector):
Bonn, Germany - Knowledge Management, Science and
Technology unit (KMST Unit) of the Secretariat of the UNCCD
secretariat.
Supervision
Title of supervisor: Head, Knowledge Management, Science and Technology Unit,
UNCCD
Content and methodology of the supervision:
Learning the operations of the UNCCD Committee on Science and
Technology (CST) and the UNCCD Secretariat with respect to the
effective implementation of the Convention and the new 10 years
strategy through provision of sound scientific and technological
and technical advice. The methodology of supervision will include
regular briefing sessions on assignments and expected outcomes
and feedback with regard to the work programme of the CST as
well as the work programmes of the KMST unit and the UNCCD
secretariat in the framework of the 10 years strategy of the
UNCCD.
Duties, responsibilities and output expectations:
The following specific assignments/tasks contain measurable learning elements that can
be used to assess the progress of the Associate Expert. The Associate Expert will be
expected to:
1
1. Assist the KMST unit in collecting and updating relevant sources of information and data
related to DLDD disciplines
2. Centralize scientific information and data to be shared within both the KMST unit and the
UNCCD secretariat
3. Support the KMST Unit in reviewing scientific documentation and literature, in particular
in soil sciences and in preparing various documents, briefing, notes, presentation and articles
for internal and external use
4. Ensure that the UNCCD websites and clearing house are feed with validated and updated
scientific information and data endorsed by KMST unit
5. Ensure on going liaising with UNCCD secretariat ARCE unit’s expert on management of
information to ensure that CST and the scientific community are taken into account in the
UNCCD development of website tools (clearing house, forum, etc) and that related updated
information are provided
6. Support the unit in the development and implementation of a strategy for knowledge
sharing with the scientific community as well as with the decision makers
7. Upon request, supporting other activities within the Unit.
Qualifications and experience
Qualification
 Advanced university degree (MSc. or equivalent) in areas of natural resources
management and environmental sciences relevant to the United Nations
Convention to Combat Desertification is highly desirable.
 A good exposure and understanding of issues related to the knowledge
management of information and data, using modern tools would be desirable.
 Language skills: written and spoken proficiency in English; other UN language
such as French or Spanish an asset
 Excellent information technology skills, including word-processing, database
applications, presentation software and Internet.
UN competencies (Refer to OHRM guidelines):
Communication: Good oral presentation and demonstrative written skills in
English as well as good analytic and drafting skills; ability to establish priorities
and to plan and develop clear goals;
Creativity and Teamwork: Ability to work independently and in teams with
people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds, demonstrating
cultural and gender sensitivity as well as interest in adapting to varied physical
and professional environments.
Accountability:
Take responsibility and honour commitments; support
colleagues; take responsibility for delegated assignments.
2
Work experience:
 Two years of relevant work in environmental knowledge management desirable.
Learning Elements:
It is foreseen that, after the assignment, the associate expert has acquired the following
abilities:

Collect and systematise data and information as well as disseminate them in
the most appropriate way;
 Design terms of reference for consultancy studies as well as monitor the
progresses of the same;
 Write comparative and assessment reports and project documents;
 Draw lessons learnt and prepare recommendations accordingly;
Background information
Information about UNCCD:
The UNCCD was negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations. In June 1992, at
the Rio Earth Summit the United Nations General Assembly was asked to establish an
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INCD) to prepare a convention to combat
desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification,
particularly in Africa. The Committee held five preparatory sessions before adopting the
Convention on 17 June 1994 in Paris. The Convention entered into force on 26
December 1996, 90 days after 50 countries had ratified it. As of October 2008, 193
countries had ratified or acceded to the Convention.
The UNCCD Secretariat was established by the United Nations General Assembly to
assist the Inter-governmental negotiation process (INCD in the negotiation of the
Convention and preparing for the sessions of the Conference of the Parties (COP). As do
the secretariats of other conventions, the Secretariat provides services to the COP and its
subsidiary bodies by arranging its meetings, preparing documents, coordinating with
other relevant bodies, compiling and transmitting information, and facilitating
consultations and other actions. It also, on request, provides assistance to affected
developing countries, in the compilation and communication of information required
under the Convention. Affected developing countries can also rely on the Secretariat for
information or advice on organizing their national consultation processes or the
elaboration and implementation of National Action Programmes. The permanent
Secretariat of the UNCCD has been located in Langer Eugen, Hermann-Ehlers, 10 in
Bonn, Germany.
The Committee on Science and Technology was established by the Convention under its
Article 24, as a subsidiary body of the Conference of the Parties to provide it with
information and advice on scientific and technological matters relating to combating
desertification and mitigating the effects of drought. The CST is composed government
representatives competent in the relevant fields of expertise.
3
Programme and project the associate expert will be working in:
The science and technology programme in which the Associate Expert is expected to join
provides substantive support to the CST and its adhoc expert teams and its bureau. It also
manages scientific and technical communication and networking among relevant
institutions and scientists. It supports the development of approaches and methodologies
for synergistic implementation, and liaises with the international scientific community.
The programme ensures that scientific and technological collaboration closely related to
the implementation of the UNCCD is enhanced and related information is delivered to the
Convention process.
Planned developments of the project:
After twelve years, the COP8 held in Madrid in 2007 adopted a 10-year Strategic Plan
(“The Strategy”) for the Convention and requested the Secretariat to make the appropriate
arrangements for supporting its implementation. The Strategy is aimed to “To provide a
global framework to support the development and implementation of national and
regional policies, programmes and measures to prevent, control and reverse
desertification/land degradation and mitigate the effects of drought through scientific and
technological excellence, raising public awareness, standard setting, advocacy and
resource mobilization, thereby contributing to poverty reduction” and is based on four
operational objectives and its outcomes. For more information on the Strategy consult the
Decision 3/COP8 through the following document:
http://www.unccd.int/php/document.php?ref=ICCD/COP(8)/16/Add.1
The Strategy approved by the COP 8 attributes a transcendental role to the matters related
to science and technology. Though it’s Operational Objective 3 - Science, technology and
knowledge countries are called for supporting the Convention “to become a global
authority on scientific and technical knowledge pertaining to desertification/land
degradation and mitigation of the effects of drought”. Regarding this operational
objective 3, some outcomes are expected to be accomplished as well as a new structure
for the Secretariat in order to respond adequately to them.
Outcome 3.1: National monitoring and vulnerability assessment on biophysical and
socioeconomic trends in affected countries are supported.
Outcome 3.2: A baseline based on the most robust data available on biophysical and
socioeconomic trends is developed and relevant scientific approaches are gradually
harmonized.
Outcome 3.3: Knowledge on biophysical and socio-economic factors and on their
interactions in affected areas is improved to enable better decision-making.
Outcome 3.4: Knowledge of the interactions between climate change adaptation, drought
mitigation and restoration of degraded land in affected areas is improved to develop tools
to assist decision-making.
Outcome 3.5: Effective knowledge-sharing systems, including traditional knowledge, are
in place at the global, regional, subregional and national levels to support policymakers
4
and end users, including through the identification and sharing of best practices and
success stories.
Outcome 3.6: Science and technology networks and institutions relevant to
desertification/land degradation and drought are engaged to support UNCCD
implementation.
The Knowledge Management, Science and Technology KMST Unit) is the Unit created
within the Secretariat to dealing with the operational objective 3 and its outcomes through
a two-year operational work programme and a four-year strategic work programme.
Information about the living conditions at the post is appreciated
Basic information about Bonn (in English/Spanish and Deutsch) can be found at the
following
official
website
(Stadt
Bonn
–
Germany)
http://www.bonn.de/index.html?lang=en
5