Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Expert

Result of Service

The ultimate results of this consultancy are:

• A finalized national policy brief providing strategic recommendations for integrating EbA into national legal and policy Instruments, targeting MoEnv and ASEZA, validated by relevant national stakeholders.
• A finalized legal instrument for mainstreaming EbA into GAM's planning and regulatory processes, validated by GAM and relevant stakeholders, including practical implementation guidance.

Both products will contribute directly to Output 1.1, output 1.2, and Output 1.3 of the project logframe, and will collectively satisfy Core Indicator 1 (Target: 2 policy instruments) of the Global EbA Fund reporting requirements.

Work Location

Home based

Expected duration

12 months/ part time

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote social and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all, supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as facilitate the implementation of the World New Urban Agenda. UN-Habitat has been operational in Jordan since 2005, cooperating with regional and international organizations, local authorities, civil society organizations, and private sector, to localize SDGs and promote the implementation of UN-Habitat global programmes in the country.

In Jordan, UN-Habitat has been working with national and local stakeholders and communities to support sustainable urban development and resilience-building, focusing on its core thematic areas; Climate Change and City Resilience, Urban Data and Planning, SDG Localization, and Community- Led Public Space Development. Through several of these initiatives, Jordan has been selected as a pilot country for innovative approaches and had national and local officials participating in global and regional knowledge exchange.

Background to “Mainstreaming Ecosystem-based Adaptation into Urban Development Planning Frameworks in Amman City” Project

Amman city, also referred to as the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), has grown from a city to a metropolis, with an urban area of 630 km² at an annual increase rate of 2%. In 2021, Amman reached a population of 4 million inhabitants. GAM owns 20% of land within its borders, including planned and unplanned areas. Green open spaces cover only around 2% of planned areas. In general, the quality of Amman city's natural system is severely degraded and presents many opportunities for enhancement that can capitalise on the available assets of public spaces and street corridors with innovative and sustainable approaches to address increasing urban climate change challenges.

Natural hazards are a significant challenge for Amman, with its districts being among the most vulnerable to flash floods due to rapid growth exerting pressure on infrastructure. Jordan is highly vulnerable to earthquakes, droughts, landslides, and heatwaves, and these climate change impacts are more severely felt by marginalised communities. To further understand the climate change vulnerabilities, UN-Habitat has conducted a climate change risk assessment with GAM.

National and city-level climate change plans have a strong focus on mitigation more than adaptation. Furthermore, many plans do not reflect the concept of EbA in the urban context, and climate change responses rely on grey infrastructure.

Within this context, there is a need to mainstream EbA into the urban decision-making process and planning framework, as well as to highlight its social, economic, and environmental benefits. Amman is missing out on one of its key opportunities: maximising the benefits of natural and land resources, which can form the pillars for climate change adaptation, economic development, and prosperity. To do so, major cities like Amman must consider urban planning in the context of an ecosystem for sustainable climate change adaptation and socioeconomic benefits.

Recent reforms to Amman's planning and zoning by-law (2025) provide an opportunity to strengthen climate-responsive planning instruments and embed EbA principles into regulatory frameworks. Current initiatives on stormwater management, green infrastructure, and climate risk assessments provide technical entry points for operationalizing EbA at neighbourhood and city scales.

Within this context, UN-Habitat Jordan is implementing the project "Mainstreaming Ecosystem-based Adaptation into Urban Development Planning Frameworks in Amman City," funded by the Global EbA Fund (managed by IUCN). The project aims to create an enabling environment for mainstreaming Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in urban development plans, policies, and processes in Amman city and at the national level. The project has two outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Ecosystem-based Adaptation is mainstreamed into urban planning and policy frameworks in Amman to increase the resilience and adaptive capacities of municipal governments and communities.
• Outcome 2: Regional and local capacities and knowledge on Ecosystem-based Adaptation are enhanced.

Under Outcome 1, the project aims to achieve three outputs:

• Output 1.1: Adaptation gaps and capacities at the national and local level are identified.
• Output 1.2: A national policy brief for integrating EbA into national legal and policy frameworks.
• Output 1.3: A legal framework/instrument for mainstreaming Ecosystem-based Adaptation into the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) is developed.

This consultancy is specifically designed to deliver the outputs, constituting the core legal and policy work of the project under Outcome 1.

Project Scope and Geographic Focus

The consultancy operates at two interconnected scales:

1. National scale: the legal and policy frameworks of the Ministry of Environment (MoEnv) and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), and Jordan's national climate change, biodiversity and disaster risk reduction commitments.
2. Municipal scale: the legal, planning and regulatory frameworks of the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), including the 2025 planning and zoning by-law, development control procedures, stormwater management, and green and public space planning.

Project Implementation Arrangement

The project is implemented by UN-Habitat Jordan as the grantee, with IUCN as the Global EbA Fund manager. Implementation is conducted in coordination with key national and local authorities, including the Ministry of Environment, ASEZA, the Greater Amman Municipality, the Ministry of Local Administration and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Reporting Line: The consultant will report to the Head of Programme, in coordination with the project manager(s), UN-Habitat Jordan.

Objective of the Consultancy

The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop practical, evidence-based legal and policy instruments to mainstream Ecosystem-based Adaptation within Jordan’s national policy and regulatory frameworks and to strengthen its integration into GAM's planning and regulatory processes in Jordan. The consultancy will result in two complimentary deliverables:

• Deliverable 1: A national EbA policy brief for integrating EbA principles and approaches into national legal, and policy frameworks, targeting relevant national institutions and authorities, with consideration of opportunities for application at the local level (e.g. special economic zones and local authorities).
• Deliverable 2: Local legal and regulatory instrument(s) for mainstreaming EbA into the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) planning and regulatory frameworks.

Both deliverables will be evidence-based, context-specific, participatory in approach, and action-oriented. They will be developed in close coordination with UN-Habitat, and relevant national and local stakeholders and institutions (such as GAM, MoEnv). The consultancy should build on existing legislation, policies, strategies, plans, regulations, institutional mandates, and relevant national and international good practices, while ensuring that proposed frameworks and instruments are appropriate to the Jordanian institutional and legal context.

All deliverables shall be subject to the review and approved by both UN-Habitat and the donor (IUCN/Global EbA Fund). Final deliverables will be considered accepted upon incorporation of consolidated comments and formal approval by UN-Habitat and the donor, and payment shall be released in upon this approval.

Specific Objectives, Scope of the Assignment, Approach and Methodology

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the consultancy are to:

• Review national and GAM legal, policy and planning frameworks to identify gaps and entry points for EbA.
• Produce a validated national EbA policy brief targeting MoEnv and ASEZA.
• Produce a validated GAM legal/regulatory instrument with practical implementation guidance.
• Ensure all products integrate gender, social inclusion, and environmental and social safeguard considerations in line with the Global EbA Fund Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS).

Scope of the Assignment

The assignment covers national legislation and policies relevant to MoEnv and ASEZA, and GAM legal, planning and regulatory instruments in force at the time of the review. It covers the full consultancy period, from inception through validation and finalization. The formal adoption of the proposed instruments is outside the scope of this consultancy; however, the consultant will recommend the steps required for adoption.

Approach and Methodology

The consultancy will follow an evidence-based, participatory and context-specific approach, building on the project's Theory of Change. Methods will include a structured desk review of legal and policy documents; key informant interviews and focused consultations with MoEnv, ASEZA, GAM departments, and legal and technical experts; a comparative review of regional and international good practices; scenario testing of the draft GAM instrument; and validation workshops. Findings shall be triangulated across sources, and gender and vulnerable-group considerations shall be integrated throughout. The detailed methodology will be proposed in the Inception Report.

Stakeholders' Engagement

The consultancy must be participatory. Key stakeholders will be kept informed throughout the inception, consultation, drafting and validation stages to promote ownership and uptake of the products. A stakeholder mapping and consultation plan must be prepared at the inception phase. UN-Habitat will facilitate coordination letters for the consultant's engagement with government counterparts.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of UN-Habitat Jordan project managers and in close coordination with relevant national and local stakeholders. The consultant shall undertake the following tasks:

1. Inception and Methodology Development
   
   • Develop a detailed methodology and workplan for the required tasks and deliverables, including the approach, stakeholder mapping, consultation plan, data and document collection plan, and proposed structure of deliverables.
   • Present and validate the methodology with UN-Habitat and relevant partners.
   • Prepare and submit an Inception Report, incorporating agreed comments and revisions.
2. National EbA Policy Brief
   a. National Legal and Policy Framework Review:
   
   • Develop a legal and policy review matrix to guide the analysis.
   • Collect and review applicable national laws, regulations, by-laws, instructions, strategies, policies, plans, and official guidelines relevant to EbA.
   • Compile and review legal and policy documents relevant to the mandates of MoEnv and ASEZA.
   • Review Jordan's relevant national climate change, biodiversity, environmental, disaster risk reduction, natural resources, and sustainable development commitments, strategies, and action plans.
   • Examine how adaptation, ecosystem resilience, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, ecosystem services, green infrastructure, and nature-based approaches are currently addressed in the legal framework.
   • Identify provisions that can support or provide a legal basis for EbA integration.
   • Assess whether existing provisions recognize or provide for ecosystem services, climate vulnerability, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection, nature-based solutions, participatory planning, adaptive management, safeguards, and monitoring.
   • Identify gaps in definitions, principles, planning requirements, environmental assessment procedures, implementation provisions, institutional responsibilities, monitoring arrangements, and enforcement mechanisms.
   • Identify inconsistencies, gaps, or overlaps that may affect future EbA integration.
   • Distinguish between opportunities at the national level and those specifically relevant to MoEnv and ASEZA.
   • Prepare review findings as the evidence base for Legal entry points identification.b. Legal Entry Points Identification:
   • Review the findings developed of the national EbA policy brief.
   • Group identified gaps and opportunities according to relevant legal themes, policy areas, sectors, institutions, and instruments.
   • Examine opportunities to integrate EbA into MoEnv and ASEZA legislation, regulations, planning instruments, environmental procedures, and development mechanisms.
   • Identify legal mechanisms through which ecosystem resilience and climate adaptation considerations may be incorporated into future planning, investment, assessments, and regulatory decisions.
   • Assess the feasibility, institutional implications, priority, and indicative timeframe associated with identified legal and policy entry points.
   • Conduct focused consultations with representatives of MoEnv, ASEZA, UN-Habitat, and selected legal and technical experts.
   • Validate the relevance , feasibility, and practicality of the proposed legal entry points.
   • Document comments, limitations, and additional opportunities identified through consultations.
   • Present each proposed entry point together with the relevant legal instrument, identified gap, proposed action, intended result, responsible institution, level of priority, and indicative timeframe..
   • Clearly distinguish between recommendations applicable to MoEnv and those applicable to ASEZA.c. National Policy Brief:
   • Develop a clear structure focused on the policy problem, evidence, legal opportunities, and strategic recommendations.
   • Prepare concise and actionable recommendations for integrating EbA into future national legal, policy, planning, and regulatory reforms.
   • Address potential inclusion of EbA definitions, objectives, principles, planning requirements, assessment criteria, safeguards, implementation provisions, and monitoring requirements.
   • Propose strategic areas in which EbA could be integrated during future reviews of relevant environmental laws, regulations, policies, strategies, and assessment procedures.
   • Propose strategic areas for integrating EbA into ASEZA's environmental, planning, coastal, marine, land-use, permitting, and development-control frameworks.
   • Categorize recommendations as immediate, medium-term, or longer-term considerations for future legal and policy review processes.
   • Draft the policy brief in concise, decision-oriented language, including an executive message, policy context, key findings, priority legal and policy entry points, strategic recommendations, and proposed next steps.
   • Share the draft policy brief backage with UN-Habitat and relevant representatives of MoEnv and ASEZA for review and validation.
   • Conduct a focused validation session and/or written review process as agreed with UN-Habitat.
   • Address agreed stakeholder comments and finalize the policy brief.
   • Submit the final policy brief together with the supporting legal entry-points matrix.
3. GAM Legal Instrument
   a. GAM Legal, Planning, and Regulatory Instrument Assessment:
   
   • Establish review criteria for assessing the integration of EbA into GAM's municipal planning and regulatory processes.
   • Collect and review relevant GAM laws, by-laws, regulations, planning policies, zoning regulations, development control procedures, municipal strategies, master plans, technical guidelines, standards, and standard operating procedures.
   • Examine legal and planning instruments governing land-use planning, urban development, infrastructure planning, environmental management, green spaces, stormwater management, public spaces, and other relevant municipal functions.
   • Identify existing provisions that support ecosystem protection, climate resilience, green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and sustainable urban development and planning.
   • Evaluate how EbA principles could be incorporated into planning policies, zoning regulations, development control procedures, environmental review processes, municipal projects, public infrastructure planning, public space development, and stormwater management.
   • Identify legal, institutional, technical, and procedural gaps that limit or constrain the application of EbA within GAM.
   • Review selected international and regional municipal legal, regulatory, planning, and procedural frameworks that successfully integrate EbA and Nature-based Solutions (NbS), with emphasis on approaches that can realistically be adapted to the Jordanian and Amman context..
   • Consult relevant GAM departments, planning specialists, environmental experts, legal advisors, and other stakeholders to validate preliminary findings.
   • Identify the most appropriate legal, regulatory, planning, technical, and/or procedural mechanisms through which EbA can be mainstreamed within GAM, taking into account GAM's existing mandates, institutional arrangements, and approval processes.
   • Prepare an assessment report summarizing findings, identified gaps, enabling provisions, and opportunities for EbA integration.
   • Develop an analytical matrix to support the preparation of the draft legal and regulatory instrument(s).b. Draft GAM Legal Instrument:
   • Establish the overall structure and scope of the legal Instrument.
   • Define the objectives, guiding principles, and intended application within GAM.
   • Identify where new provisions, amendments, technical requirements and procedures, standards, and/or implementation guidance may be required.
   • Define procedures for incorporating EbA into planning approvals, municipal projects, environmental review processes, and development applications.
   • Recommend mechanisms for integrating ecosystem considerations, climate risks, and resilience considerations into planning and decision-making processes.
   • Define the respective roles and responsibilities of relevant GAM departments in implementing EbA.
   • Recommend coordination mechanisms across planning, engineering, environmental management, parks, infrastructure, and other relevant municipal functions.
   • Recommend indicators and monitoring arrangements to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of EbA measures.
   • Consolidate all proposed provisions into a coherent draft legal instrument, ensuring consistency with GAM's existing legal and institutional framework and applicable national legislation.
   • Test the proposed instrument(s) against selected representative GAM planning, development, infrastructure, public-space, or municipal project scenarios to demonstrate their practical application and identify any remaining implementation gaps.
   • Present the draft instrument(s) to UN-Habitat and GAM for technical and legal review before stakeholder validation.c. Finalize GAM Legal Instrument:
   • Organize technical consultations and/or validation workshops with GAM, UN-Habitat, and relevant stakeholders.
   • Present the draft legal, regulatory, planning, and/or procedural instrument(s) and obtain comments on its legal, technical, institutional, and practical applicability.
   • Compile all stakeholder comments and assess the legal, technical, institutional, and procedural implications of proposed revisions.
   • Update the draft instrument(s) to reflect agreed stakeholder feedback.
   • Prepare practical guidance to support the future implementation of the proposed instrument(s) within GAM.
   • Outline recommended steps for integrating EbA into municipal planning processes, development control procedures, project design and approval processes, and operational practices.
   • Identify priority actions, responsible entities, indicative sequencing, as well as institutional and procedural steps required for adoption and future implementation.
   • Identify any further legal, regulatory, technical, capacity-building, or institutional measures required to support implementation.
   • Submit the finalized legal/regulatory instrument(s) together with practical implementation guidance, a summary of stakeholder comments and key revisions made during the validation process.

All deliverables shall be subject to review and validation by UN-Habitat and relevant government counterparts. Final deliverables shall incorporate agreed comments and shall be submitted to the donor (IUCN/Global EbA Fund) for review and approval.

Qualifications/special skills

• An advanced university degree (Master’s) in Environmental Science, Biodiversity Conservation, Natural Resources Management, Ecology, Environmental Management, Climate Change, Environmental Policy, or any related field is required. A first-level university degree with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A specialization or demonstrated professional experience in biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, or environmental policy and planning is desired.
• A minimum of 1 year of relevant professional experience in biodiversity conservation, environmental management, natural resource management, environmental policy and planning, ecosystem restoration, or climate change adaptation is required.
• Experience in reviewing and analyzing national environmental policies, strategies, legislation, institutional frameworks, and/or regulatory instruments, particularly those related to biodiversity, protected areas, ecosystem management and natural resources, is required.
• Familiarity with the Jordanian environmental and institutional context, including national biodiversity priorities, environmental legislation, protected-area frameworks, and relevant national environmental and climate strategies, is required.
• Experience in contributing to environmental strategies, action plans, technical guidelines, policy recommendations, or management frameworks at national or sub-national level is desirable.
• Experience in coordinating with government institutions, local authorities, international organisations, NGOs, research institutions, or local communities in Jordan and/or the MENA region, including supporting stakeholder consultations, technical meetings, and workshops, is desirable.
• Knowledge of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) or Nature-based Solutions (NbS), biodiversity assessments, species conservation, Red List assessments, ecosystem monitoring, or conservation planning is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic (both oral and written), with excellent writing and communication skills in both languages, is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.