Concept development consultant - UNEP Cities Unit – Neighbourhood Approach

Result of Service Development of a strategy for the new joint program ‘green and thriving neighbourhoods; this would include: - A note presenting the proposed fundraising strategy - A list of potential partners and donors that C40 and UNEP could approach - Concept note(s) that brings UNEP and C40’s concepts together for the new joint program, and that the two organizations can use to jointly reach out to previously identified potential donors;

To support and build around the neighbourhood approach, by developing a fundraising strategy and strategic concept note that will be used to reach out to potential donors and develop the UNEP and C40 joint ‘Green and Thriving Neighbourhoods’ programme.

Output expectations: ¿ A strategy for C40 and UNEP to position the new Neighbourhood Programme and reach out to interested funding partners, who would have been previously identified and contacted. ¿ At least 2 detailed concept notes defining the neighbourhood approach for future project development and adapted for submission to targeted donors.

Performance indicators

¿ Key partners have been consulted and involved in the development process. ¿ At least 3-5 key donors were contacted, and at least 2 concept notes were developed targeting them.

Work Location Remote

Expected duration Actual time 2 months of work over a 4 months period, starting on 1 June 2022 and ending on 30 September 2022

Duties and Responsibilities UNEP in partnership with C40 started the ‘’neighbourhood approach’’ to support integrated urban planning and management to accelerate action towards addressing the triple crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution. The “neighbourhood approach” is a bottom-up approach to sustainable urban design, focusing on people-centred transformation and community engagement. This approach puts communities at the centre of the physical transformation in the neighbourhoods. It supports cities in their development of vibrant, dynamic, safe and healthy neighbourhoods, where people and nature can thrive.

As part of the “neighbourhood approach”, UNEP has developed a set of integrated guidelines for sustainable neighbourhood design and planning. It has done an initial piloting of these guidelines in Lalitpur, Nepal, building on community-led sustainable and circular urban development ward-level plans to build low-carbon, resilient, resource-efficient, and circular cities. UNEP supported in 2021 the implementation of these guidelines in Bogor, Indonesia; Renca, Chile; and is currently working with four cities in Morocco.

In addition, UNEP is the lead agency for the GEF-7 UrbanShift Global Platform, implemented together with three City-Based Organisations (WRI, C40 and ICLEI). The objective of the Global Platform is to provide support and opportunities for learning and peer-to-peer exchange to the cities involved in the 9 country child projects (Argentina, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone). Under the UrbanShift’s capacity building activities, UNEP is leading a training on sustainable approaches to neighbourhood planning, building on the integrated guidelines, in partnership with C40 and UN Habitat. UNEP is also developing several activities advocating for community-level and bottom up urban planning, in partnership with cities (e.g. Mexico City, Prague) and cities network (C40).

As the neighbourhood approach gains traction within cities and in the light of various upcoming projects, UNEP and C40 have decided to join their force ad to build a joint ‘Green and Thriving Neighbourghoods program. UNEP, in collaboration with C40 is therefore looking for a concept development consultant to further undertake the strategic development of the neighbourhood approach narrative and contribute to the related future fundraising activities with partners.

Qualifications/special skills Skills¿ Demonstrated success in concept development is required. ¿ Excellent network with key donors (foundations and bilateral donors) is required. Academic Qualifications: ¿ At least a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations, Social Sciences, Environmental Policy or related field is required Experience: ¿ A minimum of 5 years of professional experience related to sustainable urban development, climate change, bottom-up climate policy or finance is required. ¿ Prior experience working within the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is required. ¿ Previous experience of working on calls for proposals is an advantage. Language: ¿ Fluency in English is required. Fluency in any other UN languages would be an advantage.

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.