Consultant for NDC Act & Invest Initiative

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global authority on environmental issues, established to provide leadership and foster partnerships to promote sustainable development. UNEP aims to inspire and empower nations and communities to enhance their quality of life while safeguarding the needs of future generations. The organization operates in multiple countries worldwide, focusing on various environmental challenges and sustainable development goals. UNEP's initiatives are supported by various funding sources, including the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and the NDC Partnership’s Partnership Action Fund (PAF).

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the integration of multi-level governance and subnational governments within the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) related processes. This position is part of the NDC Act & Invest Initiative, which is designed to help countries raise their climate ambition and translate their NDCs into actionable, investable plans. The consultant will specifically support Workstream 2 of the initiative, focusing on enhancing policy and planning alignment through the development of a new framework methodology and related guidance documents. The consultant will also be responsible for piloting these frameworks in selected countries, conducting research on existing methodologies, and compiling resources to support subnational climate action. The overarching goal is to bridge the gap between climate commitments and tangible implementation, ensuring that NDCs are both ambitious and achievable.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include contributing to the development of a policy alignment framework and tool under Workstream 2 of the NDC Act & Invest Initiative. This involves conducting targeted research, compiling a compendium of existing policy alignment methodologies, and developing high-impact case studies that showcase scalable models of policy alignment and subnational climate action. The consultant will also engage with strategic partners such as UNDP, GIZ, WRI, and C40 to provide technical inputs and facilitate knowledge exchange. Additionally, the consultant will lead coordination efforts to integrate subnational governments into priority NDC implementation efforts, ensuring coherence with the CHAMP initiative and the NDC Act & Invest initiative. The consultant will be expected to deliver results that enhance policy alignment and foster an enabling environment for strengthened subnational climate action.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in social sciences, political sciences, environmental science and policy, environmental engineering, international relations, or related fields. Additionally, at least 15 years of demonstrated experience in project management related to climate plans, NDCs, international relations, urban sustainability, urban planning, or sustainable infrastructure management is required. Strong managerial skills and experience in coordinating complex projects in an international setting are essential. The ability to work effectively and autonomously in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing tasks is crucial, as is the capacity to work harmoniously in international teams and integrate feedback.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in relevant fields such as social sciences, political sciences, environmental science and policy, environmental engineering, or international relations is required for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of climate policies and governance.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in project management linked to climate plans, NDCs, and sustainable development. This extensive experience is necessary to navigate the complexities of international climate initiatives and to effectively contribute to the NDC Act & Invest Initiative.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. A working knowledge of French or any other languages will be considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for a duration of 9 months, from 15 May 2026 to 14 February 202

• The consultant will be engaged in a full-time capacity, and the recruitment process is open to international candidates. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process.