Result of Service The consultancy will deliver: NDC3.0 Housing Spinoff report by COP32, November 2027 and the consultancy will deliver the following interim deliverables: 1. a summary methodology for presentation in February 2027 for Expert Review, 2. a draft report by March 2027 for internal review and 3 a draft report by May 2027 for Ex-pert Review. A summary report on the housing dimensions of the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities and framework for disseminating the related findings.
A summary report on NDC3.0 implementation through capacity development, including the development of training materials at global, regional/sub-regional level as well as country specific NDC3.0 implementation approaches. A database, capturing and systematizing lessons learned from NDC implementation approach A summary report on resource mobilization (with a particular emphasis on the housing-climate nexus.
Regular summary reports on engagement on Housing and Climate Nexus and associated partnerships Work Location Nairobi Expected duration 12 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 center. 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: a) Climate Change and Biodiversity Diplomacy and Multilevel Action Strongly 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. b) Thought Leadership and Innovation Provide 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. c) Programme Development and Project Incubation Incubate 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. d) Agency Cross-Cutting — ESG, Partnerships, Data, Capacities, Communication Strengthen 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 Presidency 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 focal points across the agency, the incumbent will be required to perform the following functions: 1.
IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities and Innovate4Cities: • Lead on IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities housing elements translating global analysis into policy, programmatic and country-level applications. 2.
NDC3.0: Strengthening the Urban Content of the NDCs / Multilevel Climate Action • Lead the development and country-level application of NDC implementation capacity-building • Capture and systematize lessons learned to inform UN-Habitat's broader NDC implementation ap-proach • Lead the Urban Content in NDCs 3.0: Housing and Informal Settlements spinoff, 3.
Programme Development and Resilient Settlements for the Urban Poor – RISE UP • Develop the CCUE-S housing-climate portfolio through resource mobilization and strategic partnerships • Act as focal point for Housing and Slum Upgrading Section and housing; Asia-Pacific and Section Work Plan including working on programme development (housing entry point) 3.
OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY The consultancy will advance the Climate Change and Urban Environment Section's Workplan with a particular emphasis on the analysis of urban content of NDCs and their implementation through global and regional tools and direct collaboration with country offices and their partners. It will further advance the Section's capacity to respond to requests pertaining to the housing / informal settlements and climate change nexus.
Specific deliverables are listed below: Qualifications/special skills Minimum advanced university degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in Urban planning, Architecture, environmental 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.
A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in architecture and urban planning and design, project management and stakeholder engagement, ideally gained at the international level is required, including working on urban climate change mitigation and/or adaptation is required. Proven experience in green-buildings solutions and climate resilient housing and urban design is re-quired. Proven experience in communicating and visualizing urban climate change knowledge is required.
Proven experience with NDC development and implementation is required. Familiarity with capacity development in an international 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 COMPETENCIES PROFESSIONALISM: Strong understanding of the housing-climate change nexus, NDC development and NDC implementation strategies in particular at the intersection of climate change and urban development; strong data analysis and data communication / visualization skills. Experience in developing and delivering capacity development tools and trainings.
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 dead-lines 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.
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. 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 The consultancy will deliver: NDC3.0 Housing Spinoff report by COP32, November 2027 and the consultancy will deliver the following interim deliverables: 1. a summary methodology for presentation in February 2027 for Expert Review, 2. a draft report by March 2027 for internal review and 3 a draft report by May 2027 for Ex-pert Review. A summary report on the housing dimensions of the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities and framework for disseminating the related findings. A summary report on NDC3.0 implementation through capacity development, including the development of training materials at global, regional/sub-regional level as well as country specific NDC3.0 implementation approaches. A database, capturing and systematizing lessons learned from NDC implementation approach A summary report on resource mobilization (with a particular emphasis on the housing-climate nexus. Regular summary reports on engagement on Housing and Climate Nexus and associated partnerships Work Location Nairobi Expected duration 12 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 center. 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: a) Climate Change and Biodiversity Diplomacy and Multilevel Action Strongly 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. b) Thought Leadership and Innovation Provide 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. c) Programme Development and Project Incubation Incubate 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. d) Agency Cross-Cutting — ESG, Partnerships, Data, Capacities, Communication Strengthen 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 Presidency 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 focal points across the agency, the incumbent will be required to perform the following functions: 1. IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities and Innovate4Cities: • Lead on IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities housing elements translating global analysis into policy, programmatic and country-level applications. 2. NDC3.0: Strengthening the Urban Content of the NDCs / Multilevel Climate Action • Lead the development and country-level application of NDC implementation capacity-building • Capture and systematize lessons learned to inform UN-Habitat's broader NDC implementation ap-proach • Lead the Urban Content in NDCs 3.0: Housing and Informal Settlements spinoff, 3. Programme Development and Resilient Settlements for the Urban Poor – RISE UP • Develop the CCUE-S housing-climate portfolio through resource mobilization and strategic partnerships • Act as focal point for Housing and Slum Upgrading Section and housing; Asia-Pacific and Section Work Plan including working on programme development (housing entry point) 3. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY The consultancy will advance the Climate Change and Urban Environment Section's Workplan with a particular emphasis on the analysis of urban content of NDCs and their implementation through global and regional tools and direct collaboration with country offices and their partners. It will further advance the Section's capacity to respond to requests pertaining to the housing / informal settlements and climate change nexus. Specific deliverables are listed below: Qualifications/special skills Minimum advanced university degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in Urban planning, Architecture, environmental 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. A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in architecture and urban planning and design, project management and stakeholder engagement, ideally gained at the international level is required, including working on urban climate change mitigation and/or adaptation is required. Proven experience in green-buildings solutions and climate resilient housing and urban design is re-quired. Proven experience in communicating and visualizing urban climate change knowledge is required. Proven experience with NDC development and implementation is required. Familiarity with capacity development in an international 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 COMPETENCIES PROFESSIONALISM: Strong understanding of the housing-climate change nexus, NDC development and NDC implementation strategies in particular at the intersection of climate change and urban development; strong data analysis and data communication / visualization skills. Experience in developing and delivering capacity development tools and trainings. 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 dead-lines 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. 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. 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.