Climate Research and Methodology Design Expert

Result of Service

The ultimate service of the consultancy is to strengthen the agency’s programmatic approach for multilayered risk and vulnerability assessments in RISE UP countries.

Work Location

Home Based

Expected duration

6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background to UN-Habitat The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all. For over forty-five years UN-Habitat has been working in human settlements throughout the world, focusing on building a brighter future for cities and towns of all sizes. One of the four focus area under the new Strategic Plan 2020-2023 is Strengthened Climate Action and Improved Urban Environment. UN-Habitat’s Global Solutions Division is overseeing the Agency’s operational work as well as the institutional and programmatic relationship with climate and biodiversity initiatives, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. The Global Solutions Division (GSD) is responsible for providing programmatic direction to UN-Habitat and accountable for the programmatic delivery of its Strategic Plan. The division leads tools and methodology production and the integration of substantive competencies towards effective delivery. Within GSD, the Programme Development Branch (PDB) is responsible for the overall coordination of programme development. It brings together normative and operational expertise supporting high-quality integrated programmes that maximize results across the outcomes and the domains of change in UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan, of which one is Strengthened climate action and improved urban environment. The Domain of Change focuses on three outcomes: 1. Reduced greenhouse emissions and improved air quality 2. Improved resource efficiency and protection of ecological assets 3. Effective adaptation of communities and infrastructure to climate change Delivery of the three outcomes under the Domain of Change to strengthen climate action and improve the urban environment is supported by UN-Habitat’s flagship programme on Resilient Settlements for the Urban Poor – RISE UP. This flagship programme is aimed at increasing the resilience and socio-economic prosperity of urban poor communities in the Global South by 2030. It will achieve this by reducing climate change risk-related disruption to livelihoods and improving basic service provision for a significant proportion of the estimated 600 million climate-vulnerable urban poor. Background to Consultancy Recognizing heightened climate, biodiversity and unplanned urbanization risks and vulnerabilities in LDCs and developing countries, and a lack of access to climate finance, this project will enhance capacities of national and local governments in least-developed countries and small island developing states, especially Colombia, Bolivia, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Jordan, Lao PDR, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and South Africa, on financing for urban sustainable, net-zero, climate resilient and nature positive development. Through south-south, regional and interregional cooperation between the four countries, the valuable exchange of knowledge, lessons, resources and technical know-how will collectively build and strengthen the capacities of national and local governments in technical topics relating to the project. The project will further seek to mobilize finance for accelerating climate adaptation and resilience efforts where the cascading and compounding urban risks and vulnerabilities are the highest. The project will assess multi-layered urban risks and vulnerabilities to climate change, biodiversity degradation, and urbanization, propose responsive action, and prioritize the development of bankable urban climate action proposals in LDCs and developing countries. These will be presented to bi- and multilateral climate donors, investors and funds to accelerate access to climate finance for LDCs and developing countries. The project will further highlight the urban multi-layered vulnerabilities of climate change, biodiversity degradation, and urbanization and the recent new commitments to local governments and urban practitioners through the Innovate4Cities partnership, facilitated by UN-Habitat’s Montreal Office for Climate Change and Biodiversity Solutions, in partnership with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and to policy makers at the UNFCCC and CBD COPs, the World Urban Forum (in particular WUF12), and other relevant events. Further, the project will build on existing synergies with the SURGe Initiative, including connecting to the global network, build on learning from SURGe as well as use SURGe as an opportunity to scale the project up globally. Objectives The consultant will capacitate national and local government officials and urban stakeholders in RISE UP countries on understanding local multilayered risks and vulnerabilities with the intention to digitalize and disseminate them in alignment with UN-Habitat’s Capacity Building Strategy at later stage. The consultant will further strengthen the capacities for GCF accreditation and resource mobilization. Duties and Responsibilities The consultancy is located in the Climate Change and Urban Environment Team of the Programme Development Branch. Under the overall guidance of the Subprogramme Coordinator of the Climate Change and Urban Environment Team, and direct supervision by the Programme Management Officer for Climate Change, the consultancy will involve the following typical main duties leading to the ultimate requested outputs: 1. Develop and roll-out the training programme to pilot the multilayered risk and vulnerability assessment methodology through training in RISE UP project countries. 2. Develop the GCF accreditation stage 1 including response matrix

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Background A masters degree in urban planning, environmental science, environmental policies, climate change, or related field is required. A first degree with 2 additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Professional Experience At least four (4) years of relevant work experience in climate resilience, climate adaptation and nature-based solutions is required. Proven experience in climate and development methodologies, analytical research as well as experience in planning and facilitating training is required. Strong communications skills are required Experience on projects in the developing world is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in other UN languages is an advantage.

Additional Information

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to urban planning and design or sustainable development particularly to the Urban Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Sustainable Urban development, Urban Climate Change Action and Clean Air Action Planning Communication: Excellent written and oral presentation skills in English. Excellent capacity to produce and manipulate graphic documents and drawings. Good presentation skills. Ability to communicate complex interventions in a clear language and convincing narratives. Sketching capabilities to effectively communicate in workshop settings and teams. Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve agreed goals.

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.