Consultancy to support the operationalization of the “Sumaúma Pledging Tree”

Consultant Human Rights

Overview

Support the operationalization of the Sumaúma Pledging Tree initiative for human rights-based climate action.

You have:

• Advanced degree in environment or human rights
• 5 years of working experience in the field of International Law, Human Rights or Environmental Law
• Experience in coordination of participatory and inclusive global initiatives on issues concerning human rights, climate change and environmental human rights defenders
• Fluency in oral and written English and Portuguese is required

Contract

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Result of Service

At UNFCCC COP 30 (November 2025, Brazil), OHCHR, the COP30 Special Envoy on Human Rights and Just Transition, and Brazil’s Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship, with support from the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change, launched the “Sumaúma Pledging Tree”. This initiative invites States and other actors to make concrete and actionable commitments to a human rights-based approach to climate action. At the launch event, at the High-Level Event for the Justice and Human Rights Day at CoP 30 (12 November 2025), a one-year pledging period was opened, in which States and other actors can fill the Pledging Tree with their voluntary commitments to human rights-based climate action. States will be encouraged to operationalize their human rights obligations with respect to climate change as outlined in the recent advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. A stocktake at the Bonn climate negotiations and a launch event at UNFCCC COP31 will serve as key landmarks in 2026. During 2026, OHCHR will serve as secretariat of this initiative, coordinating jointly with the COP 30 Presidency and the Brazilian Government, with the support of the Special Rapporteur on human rights and climate change. An Advisory Board will help increasing visibility of the initiative, while ensuring alignment of pledges with international human rights standards, and promoting inclusive participation of those most affected by the climate emergency.

Work Location

Brazil

Expected duration

01/04-31/07/2026

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop guidance for transformative, innovative, catalytic and actionable pledges. • Develop and implement a workplan to operationalize the “Sumaúma Pledging Tree” – from the journey to pledge to the launch at UNFCCC COP 31. • Support the establishment and coordinate the work of the Advisory Board. • Actively reach out and encourage human rights-based commitments from State institutions (executive, legislative and judicial authorities), local and regional authorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons of African descent, peasants and small-scale fishers, regional organizations, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations, UN entities, international financial institutions, businesses, children and young people, and others. • Support the co-development of human rights-based climate solutions with the people most affected by climate change and provide guidance for transformative, innovative, catalytic and actionable pledges. • Organize and participate in public events and other activities related to this initiative. • Develop and/or support, as appropriate, the development of promotional material (online and printed) • Mobilize resources to maximize the operationalization of the “Sumaúma Pledging Tree” • Serve as secretariat of this initiative, including by receiving and processing pledges and coordinating with counterparts, including in the Brazilian government. • Assess the Pledge’s development throughout the year using clear metrics and evidence, including the quantity and quality of voluntary commitments made by States.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced degree in environment or human rights 5 years of working experience in the field of International Law, Human Rights or Environmental Law Experience in coordination of participatory and inclusive global initiatives on issues concerning human rights, climate change and environmental human rights defenders

Languages

Fluency in oral and written English and Portuguese is required

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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Potential interview questions

Added 2 months ago - Updated 2 months ago - Source: careers.un.org