Cities and Climate Change Expert, International cooperation

Result of Service To successfully deliver a suite of technical and advisory services related outputs to internal and external clients and working towards delivery of global initiatives and events.

Work Location Home Based

Expected duration 12 Months

Duties and Responsibilities BACKGROUND TO UN-HABITAT

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all. For close to forty years, UN-Habitat has been working in human settlements throughout the world, focusing on building a brighter future for villages, towns, and cities of all sizes. One of the four focus area under the new Strategic Plan 2020-2023 is Strengthened Climate Action and Improved Urban Environments. UN-Habitat’s Global Solutions Division is overseeing the Agency’s operational work as well as the institutional and programmatic relationship with climate initiatives and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

BACKGROUND TO CONSULTANCY

UN-Habitat supports countries and cities address the climate challenge in many ways, through (i) advisory services and policy support, (ii) climate action planning, and (iii) technical assistance, and (iv) support mobilizing climate finance for investments into urban and human settlement focused climate action in three focus areas:

1. Reduced greenhouse emissions and improved air quality 2. Improved resource efficiency and protection of ecological assets 3. Effective adaptation of communities and infrastructure to climate change

The Climate Change Team is leading several workstreams under the subprogramme area, among them:

The Climate Change Team supports UN-Habitat’s engagement in several global level multi-stakeholder initiatives (such as the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, ICLEI, CCFLA) the team’s national and local engagement also supports portfolio development with multi-lateral climate and environmental funds, particularly the Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility

The climate change team also coordinates UN-Habitat’s engagement in the international climate agenda, namely the participation in UNFCCC COPs. At COP27, UN-Habitat coordinated the Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change in collaboration with the COP27 Presidency and supported the development of the COP27 Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGe) Initiative.

The climate team also oversees the mainstreaming of climate change into the agency’s normative and operational work of other sections.

Objectives The Climate Change Team is currently preparing UN-Habitat’s engagement on the road to COP28 in close coordination with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, including the preparation of a second Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change, shaping the development of the thematic day on Cities, Regions and Urbanization at COP28 as well as streamlining the importance of local action into the COP negotiations overall. COP28 will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 30 November to 12 December 2023. The main objective of the consultancy is to facilitate UN-Habitat’s engagement in the lead up to COP28.

Duties and responsibilities: The consultancy is located in the Programme Development Branch of UN-Habitat, under the direct supervision by the Sub-Programme Coordinator for Climate Change and Urban Environment. The consultancy will involve the following typical main duties leading to the ultimate requested outputs: 1. the preparation of the second Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change at COP28 a. Build on UN-Habitat extensive network to identify Ministers of Housing, Urban Development, Climate Change and Environment; secure high-level participation thanks to collaboration with UN-Habitat’s regional and country offices; b. Liaise with UN-Habitat’s Executive Board, senior management and regional office(s) to ensure alignment between Ministerial Meeting and cities and urbanization agenda as well as high-level participation in the Ministerial Meeting c. Development of the meeting agenda and priority discussion points for the Meeting (building on the achievements of the first Ministerial Meeting); d. Coordinate with member states to identify the potential of using the Ministerial Meeting for high-level announcement of new ambitious commitments; e. Coordinate local government participation for the Ministerial Meeting, in collaboration with LGMA Constituency; f. Coordinate non-state stakeholder engagement for the Ministerial Meeting, including with local governments, international organizations, NGO, academia, youth, etc.; g. Development of an outcome document that can feed into the COP28 outcomes. 2. Communication, outreach and advocacy: a. Work on the advocacy for the Meeting through UN-Habitat’s channels (including social media, website, etc) b. Engage with the cities and urban development community and other key partners to raise awareness of the Meeting; this could potentially include inviting selected member states and partners to a pre-COP roundtable to help prepare the Meeting and discuss priorities and outcomes 3. Conceptualization of the Cities and Urbanization Day at COP28 a. Working closely with the COP28 presidency in identifying priority sessions and the development of the programme for the day. b. preparation of concept notes and narrative for the day, drawing on the outcomes and perspectives of city-related activities at prior COPs c. Work as part a team for the coordination between Marrakech Partnership, High-Level Champions and other key partners for the conceptualization of the Cities and Urbanization Day 4. Streamlining the importance of cities and urbanization into COP28-related activities, including highlighting urban environments in other thematic days 5. Liaise on alignment between Bloomberg / C40 activities with those of other cities and urban development stakeholders. 6. Mobilizing local government stakeholders to participate in COP28, in collaboration with the LGMA Constituency

Qualifications/special skills Minimum advanced university degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in relevant field for urban climate change communication, i.e. Communications / Journalism or Urban/Regional Planning, Environment Studies, International Development is required. A first degree with 2 additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of five years of experience working in event organization and stakeholder engagement, ideally gained at the international level is required. At least two years’ experience working on communication on urban climate change mitigation and/or adaptation is required. Demonstrated experience in organising events and communication is desirable. Demonstrated experience in developing projects in a participatory manner is an added advantage.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in other UN languages is considered an advantage.

Additional Information Competency: •Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to urban planning and design or sustainable development particularly to the Urban Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Sustainable Urban development, Urban Climate Change Action and Clean Air Action Planning •Communication: Excellent written and oral presentation skills in English. Excellent capacity to produce and manipulate graphic documents and drawings. Good presentation skills. Ability to communicate complex interventions in a clear language and convincing narratives. Sketching capabilities to effectively communicate in workshop settings and teams. •Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve agreed goals. •Planning and Organizing: Ability to prioritize activities and assignments and to easily switch between different projects. Management: Ability to manage smaller project teams, divide workload and sustain efficiency

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.