CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Issued on:

• BACKGROUND

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

The position supports the implementation of the Environment and Climate Change Impact area of the Strategic Plan (2026-2029). It is located in the Climate Change and Urban Environment Section in the Global Solutions Division. The position falls under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator for Climate Change and Urban Environment.

In close collaboration with the Regional Programme Division, the CCUE Section provides programme development, technical backstopping, and investment-readiness support to regional and country offices. This work aims to strengthen national and local capacities to address climate change, with a particular emphasis on urban climate resilience and the needs of urban poor and vulnerable communities.

UN-Habitat’s adaptation and resilience portfolio is a key vehicle for operationalizing the Strategic Plan 2026–2029, with housing, land, and urban basic services at its centre. The portfolio seeks to reduce climate risk–related disruptions to livelihoods, improve access to basic services, enhance the climate resilience of informal settlements and the urban poor, and strengthen institutional capacity by integrating climate action into urban systems, planning, and investment processes. Core approaches include multilayered vulnerability assessments (MVAs), urban resilience action planning (URAPs), community-based adaptation, nature-based solutions, and the development of bankable climate resilience projects aligned with national and local priorities, including NDCs and NAPs.

UN-Habitat is seeking an Urban Climate Resilience Expert Consultant to provide technical expertise, analytical review, and strategic backstopping for the delivery and scaling of this portfolio. The consultancy will support country-level implementation, partner engagement and project preparation (including vertical fund opportunities), and the development of global knowledge products and partnerships under the Climate Change and Urban Environment team.

Objective of the Consultancy

The objective of the consultancy is to strengthen the quality, coherence, visibility, and impact of UN-Habitat’s urban climate resilience portfolio by providing technical backstopping and strategic advisory support.

The consultant will contribute to:

• Quality assurance and finalization of MVAs and URAPs, integrating and operationalizing a crisis lens across existing and upcoming reports;
• Country-level project preparation and financing pathways, including engagement with vertical climate funds;
• Development of the Urban Vulnerability Atlas (UVA) and associated knowledge products;
• Portfolio visibility and dissemination through support to strategic communications, global and regional events, and targeted outreach of key findings and tools;
• Capacity-building and partnership development aligned with the Strategic Plan 2026-2029.

• RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Coordinator for Climate Change and Urban Environment and in close collaboration with colleagues from the Climate Change and Urban Environment Section, the RPD climate chance focal point and regional and country offices, the incumbent will be required to perform the following functions:

• Provide final technical review and quality assurance of Multilayered Vulnerability Assessments (MVAs) and Urban Resilience Action Plans (URAPs), ensuring methodological consistency, analytical rigor, and alignment with UN-Habitat guidance.
• Integrate and operationalize a crisis lens across existing and upcoming MVAs and related analytical products, ensuring consideration of compounding risks such as displacement, conflict-affected contexts, economic shocks, climate extremes, and institutional constraints, and supporting their translation into planning and prioritization.
• Support Country Offices in the preparation of bankable urban climate resilience projects, including definition of climate rationale, theory of change, safeguards, gender and inclusion considerations, and alignment with national and local priorities.
• Provide technical and strategic support for financing pathways, including continued engagement with vertical climate fund accreditation pathways, contributing to concept development, alignment with fund criteria, and readiness for submission.
• Support the development and implementation of the Urban Vulnerability Atlas (UVA) work programme, including guidance on data integration, analytical coherence, and use of UVA outputs to inform planning and investment.
• Support the design and delivery of capacity-building activities related to MVAs, URAPs, and project preparation, including technical inputs to workshops and training sessions in selected countries.
• Provide technical backstopping to Country Offices during key stages of analysis, planning, and project development, ensuring consistency with portfolio standards and donor expectations.
• Support portfolio visibility and knowledge uptake by contributing technical inputs to global and regional events, workshops, and partner engagements, including preparation of key messages, presentations, and briefing materials.
• Support the targeted dissemination of key findings, tools, and lessons learned from MVAs, URAPs, UVA, and project preparation processes, in coordination with CCUE communications and partnership teams.

• EXPECTED RESULTS/ Ultimate Results
• 4-6 Multilayered Vulnerability Assessments (MVAs) and associated Urban Resilience Action Plans (URAPs) reviewed, strengthened, and finalized, ensuring methodological consistency, quality assurance, and systematic integration of a crisis lens addressing compounding climate, socio-economic, and environmental risks and shocks.
• At least 4 Country Offices supported in the preparation of bankable urban climate resilience project proposals, including development of a clear climate rationale, safeguards and GEDSI integration, and defined financing pathways. Support to include engagement with vertical climate funds (e.g. GCF, Adaptation Fund) and identification of complementary financing sources.
• Urban Vulnerability Atlas (UVA) work programme advanced, including:
  • Technical review and integration of at least 4 city datasets (linked to the incumbent’s focal point countries) into the Atlas;
  • Preparation of hotspot narratives and analytical summaries translating UVA results into planning and investment-relevant insights;
  • Contributions to improving indicator coherence and usability of the Atlas to support decision-making by cities, partners, and donors.
• 2-3 priority knowledge products developed or significantly advanced, translating lessons from MVAs, URAPs, and project preparation into actionable guidance for scaling urban climate resilience (e.g. policy briefs, technical guidance notes, or practitioner toolkits).
• Capacity-building and technical backstopping delivered to selected Country Offices, including at least 3 technical workshops or training sessions focused on climate risk analysis, resilience planning, and bankable project development, with follow-up technical support as required.
• Portfolio results, tools, and lessons learned disseminated through targeted global and regional platforms, including contributions to at least 4 events (e.g. conferences, webinars, partner forums) and preparation of communication and dissemination products to increase visibility and uptake of UN-Habitat’s urban climate resilience approaches.

Support to accreditation and fund engagement processes delivered, including contribution to 1 GCF or AF accreditation/re‑accreditation workstream, and targeted management and technical support for other climate and environment financing mechanisms (national funds such as IKI, regional funds such as AfDB trust funds, and global mechanisms such as GCF/AF) in close collaboration with the Regional Programme Division (RPD).Monthly payments against the above-mentioned results and an at least satisfactory assessments of the associated deliverables is required for payments.

• COMPETENCIES

PROFESSIONALISM:

Knowledge of all aspects of the design, development, management, implementation and maintenance of complex web projects using web content management systems and technologies; Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of digital communications strategy, tools, approaches and practices for the creation and maintenance of high-quality communication campaigns; Strong analytical skills and ability to rapidly analyze, strategize and integrate diverse information from various multimedia and digital sources. Shows pride in work and in achievements; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING:

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

COMMUNICATION:

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

TEAMWORK: Ability to work with teams, demonstrate leadership, conflict management and consensus facilitation skills; ability to work in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment, and to respect diversity; sensitivity to the main streaming of vulnerability; willingness and ability to work in difficult environments.

• QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
  • Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and developing projects in a participatory manner is required.
  • Proven experience in project preparation and resource mobilization for climate adaptation and resilience projects is required, including familiarity with vertical funds such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Adaptation Fund (AF).
  • Strong understanding of institutional functioning of the funds, including accreditation and re-accreditation processes.
  • Experience working with international multi-partner initiatives and projects, with demonstrated ability to deliver outcomes in collaboration with diverse partners and governments on climate, urban, and biodiversity policy, is required.
  • Strong analytical and technical writing skills with the capacity to translate climate risk data, policy priorities, and urban resilience needs into clear strategies, investment cases, and guidance materials, are required.
  • Familiarity with urban resilience and climate policy frameworks (e.g. City Resilience Frameworks, Sendai Framework) is required.
  • Familiarity with global and national climate policy processes, particularly Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), the Paris Agreement, and urban climate action planning, is desirable.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban/territorial planning, environmental management, climate change/adaptation, civil/environmental engineering, geography/geo-informatics, development economics, or related field is required.

Work experience

• A minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience in project management and stakeholder engagement, ideally gained at the international level is required, including working on urban climate change mitigation and/or adaptation.
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and developing projects in a participatory manner is required.
• Proven experience in project preparation and resource mobilization is required.
• Experience working with international multi-partner initiatives and projects, demonstrating experience delivering outcomes with diverse set of partners and governments on climate projects and climate/urban/biodiversity policy is desirable.
• Familiarity with urban resilience and climate policy frameworks is desirable.

Language

French and English are the working languages ​​of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an added advantage.

Payment

The consultant will be paid on a monthly basis IICA A Consultant rate (USD 6,000).

Applications should include:

• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• P11, indicating the following information:
  • Educational Background (incl. dates)
  • Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)
  • Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)

All applications should be submitted to: Bernhard Barth (bernhard.barth@un.org) and cc mailto: Pauline Muthoni (Pauline.Muthoni@un.org).

Deadline for applications: Posting period 02 February to 08 February 2026

UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org

Please check if 4 exists as cut off. And if 5 or 7 implies IICA-2.

As this is an IICA consultancy, please check with Angelica and Pauline how to frame this. I have included a sentence on output delivery earlier on.