CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

                                                                                               Issued on:

• BACKGROUND

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. 

One of UN-Habitat's climate change related work programmes supports global climate change diplomacy, including the strengthening of the urban content of the NDCs3.0 and their roll-out as well as the engagement in climate change conferences such as the COPs and SBs, including the conduct of the Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change and the hosting of a pavilion.  

Urban Climate Change innovation and thought leadership is another work programme of the team. This is done by supporting the development of the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities through the Innovate4Cities partnership.  

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. 

SURGe is a flagship initiative that helps countries translate national climate commitments into local action by strengthening urban services 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.  

UN-Habitat is seeking a Cities and Climate Change Consultant to support the organization of the Innovate4Cities Conference in June 2026 and to help coordinate the implementation of the Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGe) Initiative. 

Objective of the Consultancy

The consultancy has two objectives: (1) the advancement of UN-Habitat's workstream on innovation and thought leadership, including coordinating the preparation for the Innovate4Cities conference in June 2026, and UN-Habitat's work on engaging urban practitioners and academia in support of the IPCC Special Report preparation process; (2) the enhanced engagement of UN-Habitat-internal stakeholders at the headquarters, regional and country level.

This work will directly support UN-Habitat's broader efforts to strengthen 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 centre and climate action as a core impact area.

• RESPONSIBILITIES 

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:

• Develop and coordinate the delivery roadmap for Innovate4Cities 2026
  • Draft a comprehensive I4C26 conference delivery roadmap with detailed timelines, clear outputs, deadlines, logistical considerations, budgets, and associated responsible team members
  • Produce a complete run-of-show operations manual that provides detailed information on on-ground operations and coordination during the conference period. This should include scripts, room allocations and schedules, AV requirements, roles and responsibilities for internal team members, and troubleshooting protocols
  • Prepare an external facing participant information pack that includes a handbook with venue map, session descriptions, speaker bios, FAQs, emergency contact information, visa application details etc.
  • Prepare a registration tracking dashboard to update the organizing team on final registration numbers, statistics, high-level participants, and inclusivity metrics
  • Prepare and share with relevant stakeholders an I4C26 post-event follow up docket including letters of thanks, consolidated next-step documents, summary of commitments and high-level takeaways etc.
• Coordinate the feedback mechanism for the Second-Order Draft of the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities
  • Draft a report (20 pages) consolidating knowledge from urban practitioners and relevant partners in support of the IPCC Special Report
• Coordinate engagement with Sectoral and Regional SURGe Regional Focal 
  • Convene regular meetings of the Regional SURGe focal points
  • Convent inception meeting with sectoral focal points. 
  • Support project monitoring and reporting

• EXPECTED RESULTS/ Ultimate Results

The consultancy will deliver:

• A comprehensive I4C26 conference delivery roadmap with detailed timelines
• A run-of-show operations manual that provides detailed information on on-ground operations and coordination during the conference period.
• An external facing participant information pack that includes a handbook with venue map, session descriptions, speaker bios, FAQs, emergency contact information, visa application details etc.
• A registration tracking dashboard
• An I4C26 post-event follow up docket including letters of thanks, consolidated next-step documents
• A report (20 pages) consolidating knowledge from urban practitioners and relevant partners in support of the IPCC Special Report
• Meeting reports of the Regional SURGe focal points meetings
• Inception report on meeting with sectoral focal points. 
• Donor report

• COMPETENCIES

PROFESSIONALISM:

Knowledge of all aspects of the design, development, management, implementation and maintenance of complex web projects using web content management systems and technologies; Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of digital communications strategy, tools, approaches and practices for the creation and maintenance of high-quality communication campaigns; 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 deadlines 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.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING:

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

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.

• QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS 

Education 

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Policy, Urban/Regional Planning, Environment Studies, International Development or a relevant field is required.

Work experience 

• 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 event organization and capacity development is an advantage
• Proven project management experience is an advantage

Language

French and English are the working languages ​​of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an added advantage.

Payment

The consultant will be paid on a monthly basis at a level I