Cities and Climate Change Expert – Urban Heat

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

6 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 Strategic Plan 2020-2025 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 to 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 and Urban Environment Team is leading several workstreams under the subprogramme area, among them: 1. Climate diplomacy and cities: The Climate Change and Urban Environment Team supports UN-Habitat’s engagement in several global level multi-stakeholder initiatives and networks (such as CHAMP, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, LGMA, ICLEI, CCFLA). The Climate Change and Urban Environment Team also coordinates UN-Habitat’s engagement in the international climate agenda, namely the participation in UNFCCC COPs. Since COP27 UN-Habitat coordinates the Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change in collaboration with the COP Presidencies. At COP27, UN-Habitat also supported the development of the COP27 Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGe) Initiative; at COP28 UN-Habitat supported the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) and at COP29 the Baku Continuity Coalition on Urban, Multilevel and Multisectoral Climate Action was signed, encouraging continuity between different COP initiatives. UN-Habitat is also working with member states to support them in strengthening the urban content of their NDCs in their NDC revision process in the lead up to COP30. 2. Innovation, thought leadership and communication: The Climate Change and Urban Environment Team supports UN-Habitat’s thought leadership on climate change and cities, through supporting climate change communication for local leaders, social media and web articles in close cooperation with external partners, media and UN-Habitat’s corporate communication team. UN-Habitat is also working on the nexus of science, research and innovation, namely through the Innovate4Cities conference, which is co-hosted with GCoM. UN-Habitat is working with GCoM towards the next edition of the Innovate4Cities conference as a vehicle to unite urban practitioners in support of the IPCC Special Report on Climate Chang and Cities. In addition, UN-Habitat works with city networks to support urban practitioners and decision-makers to get involved in the IPCC Special Report process. 3. From strategy to implementation through concrete climate action The Climate Change and Urban Environment Team coordinates and supports UN-Habitat’s climate change project development, implementation, monitoring and reporting (at the strategic / agency-wide level). 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 as well as national climate change funds. A key priority has been the Resilient Settlements for the Urban Poor (RISE UP) Flagship initiative which works at the intersection of informal settlements upgrading, biodiversity protection and restoration and climate resilience. Most recently, the Team is working on the operationalization of the COP27 SURGe Initiative as well as project development on multiple work streams, including climate and crisis, health, loss and damage and urban heat. The climate team also supports the mainstreaming of climate change into the agency’s normative and operational work of other sections. General Responsibilities The main objective of this consultancy is the advancement of UN-Habitat’s workstream on innovation and thought leadership, including UN-Habitat’s work on engaging urban practitioners and academia in support of the IPCC Special Report preparation process, starting the preparation and scoping for the road to the next Innovate4Cities conference as well as project development on innovation and urban heat. Objectives and related Project Outputs Specific tasks are related to the following inter-related projects and activities: (1) Conceptualize UN-Habitat’s work in urban practitioners’ engagement in the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities; (2) Develop the roadmap and engagement strategy for Innovate4Cities 2026; (3) Project development of emerging work streams. Objectives The main objective of this consultancy is the advancement of UN-Habitat’s workstream on innovation and thought leadership, including UN-Habitat’s work on engaging urban practitioners and academia for the IPCC Special Report preparation process, starting the preparation and scoping for the road to the next Innovate4Cities conference as well as project development on innovation and urban heat. Duties and responsibilities: The consultancy is located in the Climate Change and Urban Environment Team, Programme Development Branch of UN-Habitat. The consultancy will involve the following typical main duties leading to the ultimate requested outputs: 1. Conceptualize UN-Habitat’s work in urban practitioners’ engagement in the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities a. Draft a concept note for engagement process of urban practitioners in the IPCC Special Report, in close collaboration with UN-Habitat teams and external partners b. Develop a coordination mechanism between city networks and other interested partners on how to best work with selected urban practitioner authors for the IPCC Special Report c. Develop a draft of UN-Habitat’s knowledge in support of the IPCC Special Report work, in close collaboration with city networks and partners 2. Develop the roadmap and engagement strategy for Innovate4Cities 2026 a. Develop a concept note for Innovate4Cities 2026, in collaboration with external partners b. Develop a roadmap towards Innovate4Cities 2026, including regional market places and that also helps to disseminate the findings of the Innovate4Cities 2024 3. Project development of emerging work streams a. Development of a project proposal on extreme heat and cities, in close collaboration with UN-Habitat’s teams as well as external partners, including an initial donor mapping

Qualifications/special skills

Education Background Minimum advanced university degree (M.A or M.Sc. or equivalent) in relevant field in Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Policy, 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. Professional Experience 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. Demonstrated experience in developing and managing projects in a participatory manner is required. Demonstrated research experience related to environmental, or the social dimension of climate change is required. Experience working with international multi-partner initiatives and projects, demonstrating experience delivering outcomes with diverse set of partners and governments on climate projects and climate/urban policy is desirable. Experience working in/with Small Island Developing States is desirable.

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

• Professionalism: 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. • 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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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