CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Issued on:

1. 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 pro-jects aligned with national and local priorities, including NDCs and NAPs. The 2030 Agenda Sub-Fund-funded and AECID-funded projects strengthens UN-Habitat’s work on climate resilience, data-driven urban analysis, and multilevel action planning. In alignment with the Strategic Plan 2026-2029, the consultant will provide technical and GIS-focused support to ensure high-quality delivery of climate adaptation planning outputs. Core activities include:

• Reviewing and quality‑assuring GIS and MVA datasets submitted by project countries, including spatial layers, vulnerability maps, and metadata, and ensuring alignment with UN‑Habitat methodologies.
• Reviewing MVA maps, MVA reports, and URAP reports and preparing consolidated technical comments and geospatial inputs related to vulnerability analysis and adaptation options.
• Contributing to the integration of MVA data into the online MVA platform, including collaboration with UNOSAT, review of beta versions, and provision of geospatial inputs.
• Supporting knowledge development, including contributions to the crisis lens component of the MVA Handbook and drafting policy briefs.
• Contributing to capacity‑building activities, especially on GIS and adaptation planning, including preparation of training materials and session inputs.
• Supporting the preparation of the Global Workshop on Urban Climate Resilience, including technical content.
• Participating in technical missions, including preparation of training materials and post‑mission summaries.
• Supporting proposal development through integration of GIS inputs, MVA/URAP findings, risk mapping, and adaptation components.
• Contributing to monitoring and evaluation activities, including organizing focus group discussions, reviewing progress data, and preparing technical summaries of implementation findings.

Objective of the Consultancy

The objective of this consultancy is to provide GIS, geospatial, and climate adaptation planning technical support for the development, quality assurance, and integration of MVA and URAP outputs across project countries. The consultant will ensure high‑quality GIS support through meetings and capacity building trainings as well as missions, and contribute to the integration of data into the online MVA platform developed in collaboration with UNOSAT.

The consultant will also support climate adaptation knowledge development, including a crisis lens for the upcoming MVA Handbook, contribute to policy briefs, contribute to missions, and support the preparation and delivery of the Global Workshop on Urban Climate Resilience.

This work will directly contribute to UN-Habitat's broader efforts to strengthen multilevel and multisectoral collaboration and support countries in applying resilience planning tools in line with UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026-2029 and its focus on housing, land and urban basic services.

1. RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Coordinator Climate Change and Urban Environment and in close collaboration with colleagues from the Climate Change and Urban Environment Section and country offices, the consultant will carry out the following tasks:

Technical support to MVAs, GIS, and online tool

• Review and quality assure GIS datasets submitted by project countries, including spatial layers, vulnerability maps, and metadata documentation.‑assure GIS datasets submitted by project countries, including spatial layers, vulnerability maps, and metadata documentation.
• Review MVA maps and provide consolidated technical comments aligned with UN‑Habitat methodologies.
• Contribute to the integration of MVA data into the online MVA platform, in close collaboration with UNOSAT, including reviewing beta versions and providing geospatial inputs.

Technical review of MVAs and URAPs

• Review MVA reports submitted by project countries and prepare structured technical comments.
• Review URAPs submitted by project countries and prepare technical inputs related to the geospatial vulnerability analysis and adaptation options.

Knowledge development & policy support

• Support the development of the crisis lens component of the MVA Handbook, including preparing geospatial risk narratives and adaptation relevant content.‑relevant content.
• Contribute to drafting policy briefs on adaptation planning, climate risk data, and resilience pathways.

Capacity building, Global Workshop, and missions

• Contribute to capacity building sessions, particularly on GIS and adaptation planning.‑building sessions, particularly on GIS
• Support the preparation of the Global Workshop on Urban Climate Resilience, including session inputs and participant materials.
• Contribute to and participate in technical missions as required, including preparing training materials and post mission summaries.‑mission summaries.

Proposal development

• Contribute to the development of new project proposals in project countries, including integration of MVA and URAP findings, GIS inputs, risk mapping, and adaptation related components.‑related components.

Monitoring & evaluation

• Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the AECID project implementation by organizing focus group discussions, reviewing progress data, and synthesizing results.

1. EXPECTED RESULTS/ Ultimate Results

• GIS and MVA technical review package delivered, including reviewed spatial datasets, vulnerability maps, metadata checks, and consolidated comments for relevant project countries.
• Reviewed MVA maps and MVA reports delivered, including structured technical review notes and recommendations aligned with UN‑Habitat methodologies.
• Reviewed URAP reports delivered, including comments on adaptation options and prioritization.
• MVA online platform inputs delivered, including reviewed datasets, geospatial inputs, and feedback on beta versions for integration with UNOSAT.
• Draft crisis lens section for the MVA Handbook completed, including geospatial risk narratives and adaptation content.
• At least one policy brief drafted, with GIS and adaptation‑related contributions.
• Capacity‑building materials prepared and delivered, including GIS or adaptation-related presentations, exercises, or training inputs.
• Workshop preparation completed for the Global Workshop on Urban Climate Resilience, including technical session inputs.
• Mission documentation delivered, including training materials and post‑mission summaries for each mission supported.
• M&E contribution delivered, including results summaries, reviewed progress data, and documentation of focus group discussions.
• Technical inputs for project proposals delivered, including GIS components, MVA/URAP integration, and risk mapping contributions.

The consultancy will be delivered over a period of six months, through the submission of monthly progress reports. Each report will demonstrate the delivery of approximately one-sixth (1/6) of the total level of effort under the ToR and progress against the specified outputs. Acceptance of each monthly progress report by UN-Habitat will serve as the basis for assessment and corresponding payment.

1. 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.

1. QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

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. A first degree with 2 additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work experience

• A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in climate adaptation, urban resilience, sustainable development, or related fields is required.
• Experience working with geospatial datasets, spatial analysis and GIS software is required.
• Experience contributing to climate vulnerability assessments, adaptation planning, or geospatial risk analysis is desirable.
• Experience contributing to capacity-building activities or technical workshops is an added advantage.
• Experience in developing projects in a participatory manner, as well as contributions to project preparation and resource mobilization is an added advantage.
• Experience working with the United Nations is an added advantage.

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 at a IICA I Consultancy rate.