Consultant for Climate-Resilient and Inclusive Social Protection (CRISP)

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which was established in 194

• ESCAP's mission is to promote inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in the Asia-Pacific region. The organization operates in 62 member states and 9 associate members, focusing on various issues including social development, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. ESCAP aims to foster regional cooperation and integration to address the challenges faced by the member states, particularly in the context of climate change and social protection.

Job Overview:
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the project manager and the overall guidance of the Chief of the Sustainable Socioeconomic Transformation Section. The primary function of this position is to deliver a coherent set of country-specific knowledge products for Sri Lanka under the CRISP initiative. This involves providing evidence-based assessments of climate-related vulnerabilities and the performance of social protection systems, as well as developing actionable pathways for enhancing climate-responsive and shock-responsive social protection. The consultant will also be responsible for organizing and facilitating national capacity development workshops on social protection and climate change, validating findings through workshops, and launching the final report. The ultimate goal is to support national decision-making by delivering analytically robust, policy-relevant, and action-oriented outputs that identify system-level gaps and practical reform options. Additionally, the consultant will contribute to regional knowledge generation under CRISP, which aims to inform similar efforts in other ESCAP member states.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including: 1) Assessing climate-related risks to livelihoods and income security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security in Sri Lanka; 2) Reviewing the performance and responsiveness of existing social protection systems to climate-related events and policies; 3) Analyzing the extent to which social protection systems can anticipate, absorb, and respond to climate-related shocks; 4) Supporting the development of evidence-based and implementable country pathways for strengthening climate-resilient and inclusive social protection; 5) Engaging with national stakeholders, including the UN Country Team and Development Partners, to ensure alignment and coordination; 6) Conducting stakeholder consultations, workshops, and validation processes to refine findings and recommendations; 7) Contributing to the development of a regional conceptual framework to guide country studies; 8) Facilitating capacity development workshops to enhance understanding of the linkages between social protection and climate change; 9) Preparing and delivering reports and presentations on findings and recommendations to various stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires demonstrated experience in research, data analysis, and coordination. The consultant must have proven professional experience in social protection and climate change, with a strong preference for candidates who have worked with government counterparts, particularly in Sri Lanka or similar contexts. Familiarity with the social protection system in Sri Lanka, including its policies, programs, and institutional arrangements, is highly desirable. Additionally, experience in conducting analytical or policy-oriented studies and supporting stakeholder consultations is essential.

Educational Background:
While specific educational qualifications are not explicitly stated, it is implied that a background in social sciences, public policy, environmental studies, or a related field would be beneficial for this position. Advanced degrees in these areas may be preferred, given the analytical and consultative nature of the work.

Experience:
The consultant should possess a significant level of experience in the fields of social protection and climate change, ideally with a focus on policy integration and cross-sectoral coordination. Experience working in similar roles, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, will be advantageous. The ability to engage with various stakeholders, including government officials and development partners, is crucial for the success of this consultancy.

Languages:
Excellent speaking and drafting skills in English are mandatory for this position. Additionally, proficiency in Sinhala and Tamil is desirable, as it would facilitate better communication and engagement with local stakeholders in Sri Lanka.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be conducted remotely, with a duration from May 18, 2026, to December 31, 202

• The position does not specify a fee for the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge applicants at any stage of recruitment. This position is likely to be full-time, and the consultant will be expected to engage actively with various stakeholders throughout the consultancy period.