Project Associate Nature-based solutions policy and governance

Conduct research and technical facilitation for the EDD Project implementation.

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UNESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

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Application deadline 6 months ago: Thursday 4 Dec 2025 at 04:59 UTC

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Overview

Conduct research and technical facilitation for the EDD Project implementation.

You have:

  • Masters’ degree in natural resources management, environmental sciences or related fields.
  • Minimum five years programme and/or knowledge management experience on environmental issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Excellent command of written and spoken English.
  • Track record in writing and publications.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

Research and technical facilitation for implementation of EDD Project.

Work Location

Home office and Bangkok

Expected duration

10/02/25 - 30/04/26

Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Purpose. The Environment and Development Division (EDD) of United Nations ESCAP is leading implementation of a project titled ‘Enhancing investments for equitable and accelerated climate action in the post-COVID-19 recovery’ (“ESCAP Project”) which focuses on nature-based solutions (NBS) and their potential to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems to help mitigate and better adapt to climate change. It aims to enhance the role of ecosystems - especially coastal ecosystems - to act as sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases, while at the same time reducing vulnerability to climate change impacts for indigenous peoples and local communities and supporting their sustainable livelihoods. The ESCAP Project particularly targets Bangladesh, Indonesia, Maldives and where feasible, Samoa. Among the key components of the project are: 1. Regional and national assessment and ocean carbon accounting 2. Guidance on financing, including for blue carbon 3. Governance and capacity development A technical paper titled ‘Regional Assessment of the Status of Ecosystems as Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Action: Underscoring the role of blue carbon ecosystems’ has been developed which assesses the coverage of key coastal ecosystems (mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass) in the region, and their conservation and restoration potential. In follow up, national assessments of the capacity needs, policy and institutional arrangements along the carbon value chain will be carried out in two countries, providing input to national policy documents and other follow-up activities including (a) assessing needs for empowering governments (national and local) and communities as partners in blue carbon investments (b) developing capacity building material (c) hosting a study tour to promote regional exchanges and capacity building on blue carbon investment and (d) strengthening regional networking on investment. Broader collaboration and consistent communication including regional advocacy on empowering local communities and governments for investments in blue carbonis are an important aspect of the project’s objectives. . A consultant on Nature-based Solutions and strengthening the carbon value chain, blue carbon and community empowerment is required to contribute to the research, technical facilitation and information compilation work of the ESCAP Project. 2. Objective. Under the general supervision of Ms. Hitomi Rankine, Chief, Environment and Development Policy Section, and the direct supervision of Mr. Anshuman Varma, Economic Affairs Officer, of ESCAP’s Environment and Development Division, the consultant will play a critical role in strengthening the knowledge base, outreach and networking for the project, formulating coherent strategies for each country in the project based on project activities, undertaking key research and information collection, preparing concept notes and briefs in implementing the EDD Project, and initiating networking to mobilize stakeholders and experts on community empowerment in blue carbon investment.

Qualifications/special skills

Masters’ degree in natural resources management, environmental sciences or related fields. Minimum five years programme and/or knowledge management experience on environmental issues in the Asia-Pacific region in fields such as ecosystems restoration, biodiversity, blue carbon, environmental governance, climate action and/or sustainability. Track record in writing and publications.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English.

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.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe your experience with nature-based solutions and their implementation? The interviewer wants to understand your direct experience with nature-based solutions. Provide specific examples from your work that highlight your involvement and the impact of these solutions.
How do you approach stakeholder engagement for environmental projects? They are interested in your strategies for involving diverse stakeholders effectively. Pro members can see the explanation.
What is your understanding of blue carbon ecosystems? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a challenging project you've managed related to biodiversity or ecosystems restoration. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you assess capacity needs in diverse countries for environmental governance? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of how you've supported community empowerment initiatives? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you stay informed about environmental policy developments in the Asia-Pacific region? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies would you use to promote regional networking on investment in blue carbon? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 6 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: careers.un.org