Consultant for GEF Project Implementation Progress Report

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. UNEP was established in 1972 and has since been at the forefront of environmental governance, working with various stakeholders to address pressing environmental challenges. The organization operates in over 150 countries and employs thousands of professionals dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and policies. UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it plays a crucial role in coordinating responses to environmental issues at the global level, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be responsible for completing outputs related to sustainability, knowledge management, and learning, specifically producing the updated 2025-2026 GEF Project Implementation Progress Report. This role involves collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure that the project meets its objectives and effectively communicates its findings. The consultant will work on several key tasks, including conducting a cost-benefit analysis, developing exit strategies for the project, and creating policy briefs that summarize the project's findings and recommendations. The consultant will also be expected to engage with local governments and stakeholders to gather information and feedback, ensuring that the project aligns with local needs and priorities. This position requires a strong understanding of climate change adaptation and urban resilience, as well as the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include:

• Creating a foundation for cost-benefit analysis by assessing key research findings and tailoring the standard CBA UNEP Terms of Reference (ToR) to specific interventions in Bhutan and Cambodia.
• Reconstructing the co-financing history for the project by meeting with government ministries to analyze contributions and outputs from other projects.
• Developing exit strategies that include operation and maintenance action plans, mainstreaming strategies for government decision-making, and scaling up strategies through policy integration.
• Producing at least three policy briefs on city-level adaptation planning, findings from the cost-benefit analysis, and lessons learned from the project.
• Organizing virtual learning webinars to disseminate findings and gather feedback from stakeholders.
• Reviewing and integrating information from various reports to develop a comprehensive multi-country final report and the GEF Project Implementation Progress Report.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced degree in environmental science, climate change, economics, or social sciences. Candidates must have at least 7 years of professional experience in international development, with a strong track record in climate change adaptation and experience working on national or sub-national policy and planning processes. Experience in developing policy briefs and working on development issues at the city level is also desirable. Familiarity with the Southeast Asia region is a plus, as the project involves multiple countries in this area.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in a relevant field such as environmental science, climate change, economics, or social sciences. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of climate change adaptation and urban resilience, as well as for effectively engaging with stakeholders and synthesizing research findings into actionable policy recommendations.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in international development, particularly in areas related to climate change adaptation and urban resilience. Experience working with government agencies and local stakeholders in developing countries is highly desirable, as is a proven ability to navigate complex policy environments and engage effectively with diverse audiences.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as the consultant will need to communicate effectively with stakeholders, produce written reports, and present findings. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the project countries (Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos) would be considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication and engagement with local stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The assignment is expected to last for 6 months, starting in January 2026 and concluding in June 202

• The consultant will be required to conduct missions to each of the three countries involved in the project to gather information and establish dialogues with local stakeholders. The contract includes provisions for travel and organization of mission travel, with a total of 9 days allocated for this purpose. The consultant will work closely with the Chief of the Climate Change Adaptation Unit and will be expected to coordinate with other experts involved in parallel assignments related to the project. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.