UN organizations are required to implement the UN System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation (‘UNSWS’). The UN-Water Expert Group on Water and Climate Change is responsible for leading the UNSWS Collaborative Implementation Plan 2025-2028 (CIP) priority on mainstreaming water and sanitation across the UN Rio Conventions (Priority Collaborative Action 3 – PCA3).
Under PCA3, the Expert Group’s mandate is to support the systematic integration of water and sanitation considerations within the UNFCCC, UNCCD, and CBD processes. This includes strengthening the visibility and treatment of water issues in global policy negotiations, implementation mechanisms, and decision-making across all three Conventions, thereby contributing to better climate, biodiversity, land, and water outcomes at global, regional, national, and local levels.
Building on the ongoing work related to mainstreaming of Water within UNFCCC processes, the current ToR therefore places particular emphasis on strengthening engagement with UNCCD. Success in this mission requires that UN organizations have access to expert knowledge on water policy and management at the global level, as well as a strong understanding of the institutional and negotiation processes of the UNCCD.
To provide expert advice on opportunities, processes and initiatives that will enable UN Water to contribute to achieving the mainstreaming of water into the Rio Conventions in 2026 with a focus on UNCCD.
Under the overall supervision of the UN-Water Chief Technical Adviser and working closely with the UN-Water Expert Group Water and Climate Change (through the co-coordinator staff of UNESCO, UNECE and WMO) the consultant will perform the following duties with the overall key result of achieving mainstreaming of water into the Rio Conventions with a focus on UNCCD:
For achieving the mainstreaming of water into the UNCCD:
Provide advice on suitable approaches, based on UNCCD mandates and processes, by March 2026 (five months before COP17 (17–28 August 2026)).
Prepare a draft Water for Combating Desertification Strategic Framework by May 2026 (three months before COP17).
Provide specific advice drawing on deliverables under 1a and 1b as inputs to COP17 by July 2026 (one month before COP17).
Assist and represent (when authorized) Expert Group members at meetings and events where these initiatives and content can be promoted.
Help organize events when needed, including side events at COPs or intersessional meetings.
Support preparation of briefs, presentations, and related materials.
Support efforts to integrate and provide inputs on mainstreaming water considerations within the other two Rio Conventions (CBD and UNFCCC).
Facilitate communication and coordination between Expert Group co-coordinators (including participation in bi-weekly coordination meetings), within the Expert Group, with other consultants, and with external stakeholders on matters related to PCA 3 implementation.
Proactively update the co-coordinators on relevant developments, with a focus on the UNCCD.
Respond to requests from the co-coordinators for advice relevant to PCA 3 implementation.
Maintain a record of communications, key decisions, and follow-up actions related to the above tasks to ensure clarity and continuity.
