Cities and Climate Change Consultant – Biodiversity Action

Result of Service

The consultancy will deliver:

1. Finalization of the analysis on nature-based solutions in Nationally Determined Contributions
   • Draft report, reviewed and agreed upon by partner (UNU) and within UN-Habitat
   • Laid out draft report (overseeing the work of publication designers)
   • Final report
2. Prepare a resource mobilization strategy for the Section’s Biodiversity Workstream
   • Draft resource mobilization strategy for internal review
   • Resource mobilization strategy (to be embedded into section wide strategy).
3. Develop a strategy and workplan on how to embed nature-based solution and biodiversity action more comprehensively into the CCUE section’s work
   • Map potential partners (drawing in particular on engagements during CBD COP17)
   • Draft partner strategy
   • Draft short strategy and workplan on embedding NBS / Biodiversity into section workstreams

Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

3 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

1. BACKGROUND TO UN HABITAT

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) which places Access to Housing Land and Urban Basic Services at its centre. This position is located in the Climate Change and Urban Environment Section, Global Solutions Division. The Climate Change and Urban Environment Section’s workplan has four pillars:

1. Climate Change and Biodiversity Diplomacy and Multilevel ActionStrongly position the New Urban Agenda within urban climate change, urban environment and urban biodiversity diplomacy, multilevel governance and multilevel action, discourse and networks. Facilitate the participation of Housing and Urban Development Ministries as well as local and subnational governments in global / international climate change and biodiversity diplomacy. Strengthen urban content in NDCs and NBSABs and support implementation of urban action.
2. Thought Leadership and InnovationProvide climate change-, biodiversity- and urban environment-related thought leadership and associated platforms. This includes support to the development of the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, its dissemination and the Innovate4Cities conference as well as the development of emerging urban climate change topics.
3. Programme Development and Project IncubationIncubate and pilot innovative and cross-cutting projects; coordinate and implement urban climate change and biodiversity core projects; including the Resilient Settlements for the Urban Poor programme, support Branches/Sections, ROs and COs (in close collaboration with RPD) in programme development — with emphasis on (i) Housing, Land and Urban Basic Services and (ii) regional and country-level roll-out.
4. Agency Cross-Cutting — ESG, Partnerships, Data, Capacities, CommunicationStrengthen internal, UN-Habitat-wide cross-cutting functions including reporting and monitoring, facilitation of Environmental and Social Governance, internal capacities (including through Communities of Practice) and communication support.

In response to the growing urgency for climate-resilient urban development, UN-Habitat launched the Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGe) initiative in partnership with the COP27 Presiden-cy and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability.

The Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGe) Initiative, is a flagship initiative that helps countries translate national climate commitments into local action by strengthening urban services and housing. It supports integrated implementation of national climate plans (including NDCs), focusing on six key entry points: housing and buildings, urban energy, mobility, waste and consumption, water, and biodiversity.

It connects pillars 1 to 3 of the workplan (above).

2. BACKGROUND TO CONSULTANCY

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 climate and biodiversity focal points across the agency, the incumbent will be required to perform the following functions:

1. Coordinate the finalization of the analysis on nature-based solutions in Nationally Determined Contributions
2. Prepare a resource mobilization strategy for the Section’s Biodiversity Workstream
3. Develop a strategy and workplan on how to embed nature-based solution and biodiversity action more comprehensively into the CCUE section’s work

3. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The consultancy will advance the Climate Change and Urban Environment Section's Workplan with a particular emphasis on its functions related to urban environment, nature-based solutions and biodiversity through global and regional tools and. It will further advance the Section's capacity to respond to requests pertaining to the urban biodiversity and climate change nexus. Specific deliverables are listed below.

Qualifications/special skills

Minimum advanced university degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in Urban planning, Architecture, envi-ronmental management, public policy or relevant field is required. A first degree with 2 additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. 2 years of progressively responsible experience in architecture, landscape architecture, biodiversity conservation and urban planning and design, project management and stakeholder engagement, ide-ally gained at the international level is required, including working on urban climate change mitigation and/or adaptation.is required. Proven experience in climate change and/or biodiversity diplomacy, nature-focused urban planning and biodiversity solutions is required. Proven experience in communicating and visualizing urban biodiversity knowledge is required. Proven experience with NDC development and implementation is required. Proven experience with analyzing NBSAPs and familiarity with capacity development in an interna-tional environment is desirable.

Languages

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.

Additional Information

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of nature-focussed urban planning; Demonstrated climate change and biodiversity di-plomacy; Demonstrated understanding of the development of tools and approaches in the field of ur-ban NBS, biodiversity or climate change; Strong analytical skills and ability to rapidly analyze, strategize and integrate diverse information from various 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 con-scientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is moti-vated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations.
• 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 com-munication; 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 con-sensus facilitation skills; ability to work in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment, and to re-spect diversity; sensitivity to the main streaming of vulnerability; willingness and ability to work in difficult environments.

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.