Result of Service • A comprehensive strategic rollout for Innovate4Cities 2028 and IPCC SR Cities engagement. • Draft tailored knowledge products, derivative of IPCC SR Cities. • Quarterly progress reports of the SURGe Secretariat annual workplan 2027. • Draft guidance materials, workshop resources, and partner engagement tools to for the urban NDC implementation. • A Year 2 narrative donor report on SURGe.
• Meeting reports, up-to-date action and results framework progress tracker for SURGe Secretariat, re-gional coordinators, and partner engagement meetings. • Draft ad-hoc materials, resources, and guidance related to the climate-crisis nexus and ROLAC engagement. 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 ser-vices 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: SURGe Secretariat – Global • Coordination of the day-to-day operations of the SURGe Secretariat, including workplan develop-ment, in-house agreements implementation, and internal check-in and reporting mechanisms.
• Develop knowledge products, events, and strategic engagements for SURGe visibility and advocacy. • Facilitate effective and productive engagement with the Bratislava Hub and the Slovak Republic. • Develop guidelines, workshop materials and partner engagement to help member states in the implementation of NDCs 3.0 with strong urban content, under SURGe.
• Develop Resource Mobilization for multilevel climate action and the operationalization of SURGe regional hubs, including the identification of strategic opportunities and the development of pitch materials. SURGe Secretariat – Focal point for regional and country engagement • Work on the day-to-day operations and engagement with SURGe regional coordinators, including check-in and reporting mechanisms, co-development of products and fostering of collaborations.
• Work with the SURGe regional coordinators in their regional and country rollout, including country prioritization, materials development and workshop delivery. • Work closely with SURGe regional coordinators and SURGe countries in localizing and tailoring guidelines and materials for NDC implementation, including national implementation strategies and local climate action plans. • Facilitate the identification of opportunities for collaboration and synergies between SURGe and RISE UP countries.
Science-Innovation-Policy-Action Nexus – Innovate4Cities and IPCC engagement • Develop and implement the rollout strategy for Innovate4Cities 2028. • Facilitate the translation and increased impact of the IPCC SR Cities, including the development of a workplan ahead of its launch. • Facilitate partner and donor engagement, organization of strategic events, and preparation of technical products.
Climate-Crisis Nexus – Focal Point • Ensure CCUE-S’ involvement in UN-Habitat’s crisis work, providing climate entry points and strategic guidance. • Map priorities and facilitate strategic conversations and collaborations with internal and external partners. • Develop ad-hoc knowledge products, advisory and pitches for example related to El Nino and the conflicts in Ukraine etc.
Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) - Co-focal point • Ensure Co-lead CCUE-S’ engagement with ROLAC, including liaising with ROLAC colleagues to co-create knowledge products, • Organize events, and identification of opportunities for joint resource mobilization and NDC 3.0 implementation. 3.
OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY This work will ensure UN-Habitat's work on multilevel and multisectoral collaboration to accelerate climate action - directly supporting the implementation of UN-Habitat's Strategic Plan 2026-2029, with housing, land and urban basic services at the center and climate action as a core impact area.
Qualifications/special skills Minimum advanced university degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Policy, Urban/Regional Planning, Environment Studies, International Development or a 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 urban management, project management and stakeholder engagement, ideally gained at the international level is required, including working on urban climate change mitigation and/or adaptation. Familiarity with research and academic processes and academic partnerships at the international level is required. Proven experience in communicating urban climate change knowledge is desirable.
Proven experience in project management, event organization and capacity development is an ad-vantage Proven experience addressing the climate-crisis-urbanization nexus is an advantage Languages French and English are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in writ-ten and oral English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an added advantage.
Additional Information COMPETENCIES PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of project management, including monitoring and reporting; experience along the science-policy-action nexus in the cities and climate change domain. Strong capacity development and training material development experience. 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 • A comprehensive strategic rollout for Innovate4Cities 2028 and IPCC SR Cities engagement. • Draft tailored knowledge products, derivative of IPCC SR Cities. • Quarterly progress reports of the SURGe Secretariat annual workplan 2027. • Draft guidance materials, workshop resources, and partner engagement tools to for the urban NDC implementation. • A Year 2 narrative donor report on SURGe. • Meeting reports, up-to-date action and results framework progress tracker for SURGe Secretariat, re-gional coordinators, and partner engagement meetings. • Draft ad-hoc materials, resources, and guidance related to the climate-crisis nexus and ROLAC engagement. 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 ser-vices 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: SURGe Secretariat – Global • Coordination of the day-to-day operations of the SURGe Secretariat, including workplan develop-ment, in-house agreements implementation, and internal check-in and reporting mechanisms. • Develop knowledge products, events, and strategic engagements for SURGe visibility and advocacy. • Facilitate effective and productive engagement with the Bratislava Hub and the Slovak Republic. • Develop guidelines, workshop materials and partner engagement to help member states in the implementation of NDCs 3.0 with strong urban content, under SURGe. • Develop Resource Mobilization for multilevel climate action and the operationalization of SURGe regional hubs, including the identification of strategic opportunities and the development of pitch materials. SURGe Secretariat – Focal point for regional and country engagement • Work on the day-to-day operations and engagement with SURGe regional coordinators, including check-in and reporting mechanisms, co-development of products and fostering of collaborations. • Work with the SURGe regional coordinators in their regional and country rollout, including country prioritization, materials development and workshop delivery. • Work closely with SURGe regional coordinators and SURGe countries in localizing and tailoring guidelines and materials for NDC implementation, including national implementation strategies and local climate action plans. • Facilitate the identification of opportunities for collaboration and synergies between SURGe and RISE UP countries. Science-Innovation-Policy-Action Nexus – Innovate4Cities and IPCC engagement • Develop and implement the rollout strategy for Innovate4Cities 2028. • Facilitate the translation and increased impact of the IPCC SR Cities, including the development of a workplan ahead of its launch. • Facilitate partner and donor engagement, organization of strategic events, and preparation of technical products. Climate-Crisis Nexus – Focal Point • Ensure CCUE-S’ involvement in UN-Habitat’s crisis work, providing climate entry points and strategic guidance. • Map priorities and facilitate strategic conversations and collaborations with internal and external partners. • Develop ad-hoc knowledge products, advisory and pitches for example related to El Nino and the conflicts in Ukraine etc. Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) - Co-focal point • Ensure Co-lead CCUE-S’ engagement with ROLAC, including liaising with ROLAC colleagues to co-create knowledge products, • Organize events, and identification of opportunities for joint resource mobilization and NDC 3.0 implementation. 3. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY This work will ensure UN-Habitat's work on multilevel and multisectoral collaboration to accelerate climate action - directly supporting the implementation of UN-Habitat's Strategic Plan 2026-2029, with housing, land and urban basic services at the center and climate action as a core impact area. Qualifications/special skills Minimum advanced university degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Policy, Urban/Regional Planning, Environment Studies, International Development or a 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 urban management, project management and stakeholder engagement, ideally gained at the international level is required, including working on urban climate change mitigation and/or adaptation. Familiarity with research and academic processes and academic partnerships at the international level is required. Proven experience in communicating urban climate change knowledge is desirable. Proven experience in project management, event organization and capacity development is an ad-vantage Proven experience addressing the climate-crisis-urbanization nexus is an advantage Languages French and English are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in writ-ten and oral English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an added advantage. Additional Information COMPETENCIES PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of project management, including monitoring and reporting; experience along the science-policy-action nexus in the cities and climate change domain. Strong capacity development and training material development experience. 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.