National Reporting Specialist

The National Reporting Specialist will prepare and develop South Africa's 2026 national report on the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The role involves data collection, stakeholder consultations, report development, and ensuring alignment with UNCCD strategic objectives and gender responsive strategies.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and develop the 2026 South Africa’s national report on the implementation of the UNCCD.
• Consider the addendum to the good practice guidance and e-learning videos tutorial released by the UNCCD on reporting.
• Review the Performance Review and Assessment of Implementation System (PRAIS) reporting manual and glossary.
• Familiarize with PRAIS reporting portal and its functionalities.
• Identify sources of information through meetings and consultations with entities and sector Departments including research institutions.
• Undertake consultations with national departments, public entities, scientific institutions, civil society organizations and other stakeholders on required data for reporting.
• Develop the reporting road map with clear activities, outputs and timelines for the UNCCD Country report.
• Liaise with the regional consultant for guidance on reporting process and capacity building programme.
• Deliver presentations to different forums and Intergovernmental Working Group structures of government.
• Ensure integration of gender related aspects to the reporting process and produce the gender analysis report and framework.
• Coordinate all project activities relating to reporting including procurement, stakeholder consultations, meetings, training, financial reports, and overall coordination of the report.
• Develop summary report for policymakers on key findings and recommendations of the 2026 UNCCD National report.
• Perform any other mutually agreed tasks.

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.
• 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.

Skills

• Natural Resource Management
• Environmental Sciences
• Agricultural Studies
• Geography
• GIS
• Remote Sensing
• Biophysical Data Analysis
• Socio-economic Data Analysis
• SDG Reporting
• Gender Responsive Reporting
• Data Collection
• Multi-Stakeholder Consultation
• Report Development
• Communication standards
• Documentation standards
• Corporate Financial Systems
• Administrative Procedures
• UNCCD Reporting
• English Language Proficiency

Languages

English