COP17 Senior Events Moderator The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is seeking a Senior Events Moderator for the COP17 conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 16-28, 2026. The role involves facilitating delegate engagement and ensuring effective event moderation. Responsibilities include conducting research, organizing meetings, collaborating with session leads, crafting opening remarks, and preparing a report post-conference. The position is home-based and requires a commitment of two months between July and September 2026.
Candidate Requirements:- Masters degree in Journalism, international relations, or environmental studies
- Minimum 10 years experience in a newsroom or media environment
- Proven experience moderating high-level inter-governmental events
- Extensive writing, editing, or interviewing experience for broadcasts
- Fluency in spoken and written English
- Knowledge of environmental issues is desirable
Result of Service: Delegates achieve exceptionally efficient, effective and productive engagement for selected COP17 events.
Work Location: Home-based. Expected duration 2 months between July and September 2026.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The international consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Communications Officer, in close consultation with the designated Unit representatives. Prior to COP 17, conduct comprehensive research on topic, speakers and expected outcomes based on documents provided for proposed events/sessions; Organize virtual and in-person meetings with individual teams to align objectives, expectations and choreograph session flows. During COP, conduct onsite meetings with event organizers to run through essential details; Collaborate with session leads and where possible, panellists, ahead of scheduled events to ensure alignment and preparation; Crafted and script moderator opening remarks setting context, objectives, agenda and additional panel questions based on documents provided as a guide; Conduct interviews with selected high-level delegates and celebrities in attendance; On request, provide counsel for the effective moderation of at least one event to each of the UNCCD Units. Post COP, prepare a brief report of the activities undertaken and lessons learned. Qualifications/special skills - Masters degree (MA/MSc/MBA, PHD or other) in Journalism, international relations or biological or environmental studies is required; Minimum of 10 years of working experience in a newsroom or fast-paced press and media environment required; Proven experience in moderating high-level inter-governmental events is required; Extensive experience in writing, editing or interviewing for television or radio broadcasts is required; Experience as a news anchor is an advantage; Knowledge of or reporting on environmental issues is desirable.
Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of an additional official UN language is an advantage.
Additional Information:
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. No Fee: 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.
