Stakeholder and Partnership Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Established to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus, UNEP works closely with 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, including 16 small island developing states, serving a population of about 588 million people. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LAC Office) is located in Panama City, Panama, and integrates its activities into the work programs approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The office focuses on implementing the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAP) of the region. UNEP's Sub-programme on Climate Change aims to strengthen countries' abilities to adopt climate-resilient and low-emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being, ensuring that cross-cutting issues such as gender equity and women's empowerment are integrated into its tasks.

Job Overview:
The Stakeholder and Partnership Consultant will play a crucial role in contributing to the coordination and implementation of a Green Climate Fund-funded project in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and UNEP. The primary objective of this position is to foster and operationalize strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement mechanisms that support the effective implementation of Panama’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) within the framework of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The consultant will assess existing collaboration structures, identify gaps, and develop actionable strategies to strengthen multi-sectoral governance, promote inclusive dialogue, and enhance coordination among key stakeholders. This role will involve engaging a diverse range of stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector, multilateral development banks, and academia, ensuring that stakeholder engagement processes adhere to social safeguards and integrate gender considerations. The consultant will also lead efforts to strengthen institutional capacities and facilitate knowledge exchange, equipping stakeholders to integrate climate adaptation priorities into national and sectoral planning and decision-making processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Stakeholder and Partnership Consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of the project. Key responsibilities include: 1) Strengthening adaptation planning governance and institutional coordination; 2) Developing tailored awareness-raising and communication strategies to engage stakeholders in climate change adaptation planning; 3) Collaborating with multiple key actors to coordinate project activities; 4) Maintaining communication channels among the National Designated Authority (NDA), the Implementing Entity, UNEP, and the Project Management Unit (PMU); 5) Working with national project coordinators and technical specialists to organize meetings, workshops, training sessions, and consultations; 6) Providing technical input on potential partnership platforms; 7) Identifying gaps in existing partnerships and proposing strategies to address them; 8) Developing adaptation policy briefs tailored to various stakeholder groups; 9) Establishing a baseline for adaptation progress and developing metrics to measure it; 10) Engaging with stakeholders to gather information and validate findings; 11) Collaborating with financial experts to integrate NAP priorities into public sector budgets; 12) Conducting capacity-building workshops on adaptation finance mechanisms; 13) Developing thematic adaptation mainstreaming strategies; 14) Identifying financing needs and opportunities for scaling up adaptation efforts; 15) Conducting dialogues between public and private sectors to unlock financing opportunities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in social studies, international relations, sustainable development, environmental studies, sociology, anthropology, or a closely related field. A Master’s degree in development studies, international policy, international cooperation, sustainable development, climate change, social science, or a related field is also required. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of two years of relevant experience in social policies, climate change, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable development. Demonstrated experience in climate change adaptation policies and programs, operational tasks, and communication strategies related to climate change in Panama is desirable. Knowledge of climate change adaptation processes and natural resource management in Panama is also preferred.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as social studies, international relations, sustainable development, environmental studies, sociology, or anthropology. A Master’s degree in related disciplines such as development studies, international policy, or climate change is also necessary to ensure the candidate has a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in climate adaptation and stakeholder engagement.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in areas such as social policies, climate change, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable development. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in operational tasks and a solid understanding of climate change adaptation policies and programs. Experience in the development and implementation of communication strategies related to climate change in Panama is desirable, as is experience in organizing meetings, workshops, and training sessions related to climate adaptation.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is required for this position, as it is essential for effective communication with local stakeholders and partners. A confident level of proficiency in English is desirable, as it may be necessary for engaging with international partners and accessing relevant literature and resources.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for 6.5 months, and the consultant will work full-time, 40 hours per week, from Monday to Friday. The role will be based at the UNEP LACO Office in Panama City, Panama, and may require travel for consultation processes. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and it does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.