Result of Service Outputs: 1. Activity 1: Country-Level Scoping and Data Review Deliverables: Country inception brief summarizing national context, data availability, institutional arrangements and priority assessment areas for the city in relation to land subsidence. (by 15 March 2026) 2. Activity 2: City-Level Diagnostic Support Deliverables: b.
Technical inputs to city-level diagnostic assessments for the pilot city, including data compilation, validation of geospatial outputs and policy review inputs. (by 31 March 2026) 3. Activity 3: Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement Deliverables: c. Support design and delivery of in-person capacity building workshop and consultations in pilot city; prepare post-workshop report, capturing feedback, gaps and recommendations. (by 20 April 2026) 4. Activity 4: Pilot Planning & Monitoring Support Deliverables: d.
Support the translation of the diagnostic assessment into planning decisions: Support city authorities and relevant technical agencies in interpreting and applying diagnostic assessment findings, including geospatial analysis and identification of priority risk zones, to local planning, coordination, and decision-making processes.
This will include informing land-use planning, infrastructure prioritization, water resource management, and risk-informed urban management, with particular attention to areas of high vulnerability and affected communities and entry points for integration into a Local Development Plan or equivalent planning instrument. (by 15 June 2026) e.
Review existing land subsidence monitoring mechanisms and propose enhancements: Review existing land subsidence, groundwater, and related urban monitoring systems at the city and national levels, assess gaps in data availability, quality, institutional responsibilities, and decision-use, and propose practical enhancements to strengthen data collection, analysis, and operational use.
This will include recommendations on institutional roles, data flows, reporting arrangements, and clear linkages to urban planning, water resource management, permitting, and public investment decision-making. (by 15 July 2026) f.
Support the piloting of one land subsidence monitoring system in the selected city: Support the development and implementation land subsidence monitoring protocol piloting of one land subsidence in the selected pilot city, drawing on the standardized assessment framework, and in coordination with relevant technical agencies.
This will include defining monitoring indicators, data sources and frequency, institutional roles, and reporting mechanisms, and supporting initial deployment, testing, and documentation of the system for planning and decision-making purposes. (by 16 November 2026) How are the outputs to be delivered? • All outputs are to be delivered to the project manager by email in MS word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint to produce technical documents.
• Consultations with stakeholders and workshops would be delivered in a form appropriate under the local circumstances taking into consideration any COVID-19 protocols. • Possible modalities include in-person interviews and focused group discussions, in-person or virtual workshops, virtual consultation with a selected multi-stakeholder group, or phone interviews, one-on-one interviews, and discussions with representatives of various departments, etc.
Work Location Home based Expected duration 2 Mar - 30 Nov 2026 Duties and Responsibilities Purpose: Many cities in Bangladesh are facing increasing risks from land subsidence, an often under-recognized but accelerating challenge that compounds vulnerability to flooding, climate-related hazards, and infrastructure damage.
Rapid urbanization, unregulated groundwater extraction, coastal and deltaic processes, heavy infrastructure loading, and the degradation of natural buffers such as wetlands and mangroves are key drivers of subsidence in urban and peri-urban areas. Weak integration between urban planning, water resource management, and disaster risk reduction further exacerbates these risks, resulting in long-term impacts on land stability, livelihoods, and urban resilience.
Recognizing the urgency of this challenge, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) including the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM), in collaboration with United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) launched the regional initiative “Confronting the Silent Crisis of Asia-Pacific’s Sinking Cities”.
Funded under the China-ESCAP Cooperation Programme (CECP), this multi-phase initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of governments and city stakeholders to monitor, understand, and mitigate land subsidence as part of their broader efforts toward sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban development.
The initiative focuses on the development and application of a standardized, data-driven diagnostic assessment and monitoring framework to support national and local governments in understanding, monitoring, and responding to land subsidence risks. In Bangladesh, implementation is undertaken in close coordination with the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, which has formally nominated a national focal point for the project.
To support in-country implementation, ESCAP seeks to engage a National Consultant to provide technical, analytical, and coordination support to city-level assessments, capacity-building activities, and pilot planning processes, working in close coordination with ESCAP, the International Consultant, UN-Habitat, APDIM, and national counterparts.
Objective: Under the direct supervision of the ESCAP Project Coordinator (EDD/SUDS), the National Consultant will support the Confronting the Silent Crisis of Asia-Pacific’s Sinking Cities initiative in Bangladesh.
The overarching objective of the consultancy is to support the effective collection of data, engagement of government and application of the standardized assessment and monitoring framework at the national and city levels, strengthen local institutional capacity, and ensure that land subsidence considerations are integrated into urban planning, water governance, and disaster risk reduction processes.
Specific objectives include: • Supporting the application of the diagnostic assessment and monitoring framework in selected pilot cities in Bangladesh. • Providing country- and city-specific technical inputs to data collection, policy review, and spatial analysis. • Supporting stakeholder engagement and capacity-building activities to enable national and local authorities to interpret findings and translate them into planning and policy actions.
• Contributing to documentation of lessons learned and inputs to regional knowledge products. Qualifications/special skills Advanced degree (Master’s Degree) in urban planning, geography, engineering, sustainable development, environmental sciences, social sciences, or a related discipline. • Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in sustainable urban development, water resource management, climate adaptation, environmental resilience, or related fields.
• Demonstrated expertise in applied research, technical assistance, and policy analysis related to urban and environmental systems. • Proven track record of working with national and/or subnational governments to support development projects in areas such as infrastructure planning, environmental assessment, disaster risk reduction, or strategic urban development.
• Experience in designing and applying diagnostic frameworks, monitoring tools, or geospatial methodologies in support of evidence-based urban planning and policy-making. • Demonstrated experience in integrating technical assessments into urban planning instruments (e.g., Local Development Plans, zoning regulations, infrastructure prioritization) and supporting institutional implementation at city level.
Comprehensive understanding of urban and regional development trends and institutional arrangements in Bangladesh and/or the Asia-Pacific region, particularly related to: • Land subsidence, coastal resilience, and climate change impacts on urban systems. • Sustainable water resource management, including groundwater regulation and integration of nature-based solutions. • Disaster resilience and mainstreaming sustainability into urban infrastructure, planning, and governance.
• Proficiency in geospatial analysis, GIS, and remote sensing for urban and environmental monitoring. • Strong capacity to translate scientific and technical data into actionable recommendations, planning guidance, and training materials. • Demonstrated ability to build capacity and facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement with government agencies, academia, and development partners. Languages Fluent in English, in both writing and speaking. 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.
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Result of Service Outputs: 1. Activity 1: Country-Level Scoping and Data Review Deliverables: Country inception brief summarizing national context, data availability, institutional arrangements and priority assessment areas for the city in relation to land subsidence. (by 15 March 2026) 2. Activity 2: City-Level Diagnostic Support Deliverables: b. Technical inputs to city-level diagnostic assessments for the pilot city, including data compilation, validation of geospatial outputs and policy review inputs. (by 31 March 2026) 3. Activity 3: Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement Deliverables: c. Support design and delivery of in-person capacity building workshop and consultations in pilot city; prepare post-workshop report, capturing feedback, gaps and recommendations. (by 20 April 2026) 4. Activity 4: Pilot Planning & Monitoring Support Deliverables: d. Support the translation of the diagnostic assessment into planning decisions: Support city authorities and relevant technical agencies in interpreting and applying diagnostic assessment findings, including geospatial analysis and identification of priority risk zones, to local planning, coordination, and decision-making processes. This will include informing land-use planning, infrastructure prioritization, water resource management, and risk-informed urban management, with particular attention to areas of high vulnerability and affected communities and entry points for integration into a Local Development Plan or equivalent planning instrument. (by 15 June 2026) e. Review existing land subsidence monitoring mechanisms and propose enhancements: Review existing land subsidence, groundwater, and related urban monitoring systems at the city and national levels, assess gaps in data availability, quality, institutional responsibilities, and decision-use, and propose practical enhancements to strengthen data collection, analysis, and operational use. This will include recommendations on institutional roles, data flows, reporting arrangements, and clear linkages to urban planning, water resource management, permitting, and public investment decision-making. (by 15 July 2026) f. Support the piloting of one land subsidence monitoring system in the selected city: Support the development and implementation land subsidence monitoring protocol piloting of one land subsidence in the selected pilot city, drawing on the standardized assessment framework, and in coordination with relevant technical agencies. This will include defining monitoring indicators, data sources and frequency, institutional roles, and reporting mechanisms, and supporting initial deployment, testing, and documentation of the system for planning and decision-making purposes. (by 16 November 2026) How are the outputs to be delivered? • All outputs are to be delivered to the project manager by email in MS word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint to produce technical documents. • Consultations with stakeholders and workshops would be delivered in a form appropriate under the local circumstances taking into consideration any COVID-19 protocols. • Possible modalities include in-person interviews and focused group discussions, in-person or virtual workshops, virtual consultation with a selected multi-stakeholder group, or phone interviews, one-on-one interviews, and discussions with representatives of various departments, etc. Work Location Home based Expected duration 2 Mar - 30 Nov 2026 Duties and Responsibilities Purpose: Many cities in Bangladesh are facing increasing risks from land subsidence, an often under-recognized but accelerating challenge that compounds vulnerability to flooding, climate-related hazards, and infrastructure damage. Rapid urbanization, unregulated groundwater extraction, coastal and deltaic processes, heavy infrastructure loading, and the degradation of natural buffers such as wetlands and mangroves are key drivers of subsidence in urban and peri-urban areas. Weak integration between urban planning, water resource management, and disaster risk reduction further exacerbates these risks, resulting in long-term impacts on land stability, livelihoods, and urban resilience. Recognizing the urgency of this challenge, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) including the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM), in collaboration with United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) launched the regional initiative “Confronting the Silent Crisis of Asia-Pacific’s Sinking Cities”. Funded under the China-ESCAP Cooperation Programme (CECP), this multi-phase initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of governments and city stakeholders to monitor, understand, and mitigate land subsidence as part of their broader efforts toward sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban development. The initiative focuses on the development and application of a standardized, data-driven diagnostic assessment and monitoring framework to support national and local governments in understanding, monitoring, and responding to land subsidence risks. In Bangladesh, implementation is undertaken in close coordination with the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, which has formally nominated a national focal point for the project. To support in-country implementation, ESCAP seeks to engage a National Consultant to provide technical, analytical, and coordination support to city-level assessments, capacity-building activities, and pilot planning processes, working in close coordination with ESCAP, the International Consultant, UN-Habitat, APDIM, and national counterparts. Objective: Under the direct supervision of the ESCAP Project Coordinator (EDD/SUDS), the National Consultant will support the Confronting the Silent Crisis of Asia-Pacific’s Sinking Cities initiative in Bangladesh. The overarching objective of the consultancy is to support the effective collection of data, engagement of government and application of the standardized assessment and monitoring framework at the national and city levels, strengthen local institutional capacity, and ensure that land subsidence considerations are integrated into urban planning, water governance, and disaster risk reduction processes. Specific objectives include: • Supporting the application of the diagnostic assessment and monitoring framework in selected pilot cities in Bangladesh. • Providing country- and city-specific technical inputs to data collection, policy review, and spatial analysis. • Supporting stakeholder engagement and capacity-building activities to enable national and local authorities to interpret findings and translate them into planning and policy actions. • Contributing to documentation of lessons learned and inputs to regional knowledge products. Qualifications/special skills Advanced degree (Master’s Degree) in urban planning, geography, engineering, sustainable development, environmental sciences, social sciences, or a related discipline. • Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in sustainable urban development, water resource management, climate adaptation, environmental resilience, or related fields. • Demonstrated expertise in applied research, technical assistance, and policy analysis related to urban and environmental systems. • Proven track record of working with national and/or subnational governments to support development projects in areas such as infrastructure planning, environmental assessment, disaster risk reduction, or strategic urban development. • Experience in designing and applying diagnostic frameworks, monitoring tools, or geospatial methodologies in support of evidence-based urban planning and policy-making. • Demonstrated experience in integrating technical assessments into urban planning instruments (e.g., Local Development Plans, zoning regulations, infrastructure prioritization) and supporting institutional implementation at city level. Comprehensive understanding of urban and regional development trends and institutional arrangements in Bangladesh and/or the Asia-Pacific region, particularly related to: • Land subsidence, coastal resilience, and climate change impacts on urban systems. • Sustainable water resource management, including groundwater regulation and integration of nature-based solutions. • Disaster resilience and mainstreaming sustainability into urban infrastructure, planning, and governance. • Proficiency in geospatial analysis, GIS, and remote sensing for urban and environmental monitoring. • Strong capacity to translate scientific and technical data into actionable recommendations, planning guidance, and training materials. • Demonstrated ability to build capacity and facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement with government agencies, academia, and development partners. Languages Fluent in English, in both writing and speaking. 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.