Freshwater and Urban Resilience Expert

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 in 1972, UNEP has grown to encompass a diverse workforce of thousands of employees across various countries, working collaboratively to address pressing environmental issues. UNEP operates in over 150 countries, engaging with governments, civil society, and the private sector to foster sustainable development through sound environmental practices. The organization is committed to promoting sustainable practices and policies that contribute to the well-being of people and the planet, focusing on areas such as climate change, biodiversity, and pollution reduction. UNEP's Ecosystems Division specifically works with international and national partners to provide technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position is situated within UNEP's Ecosystems Division, specifically in the Marine and Freshwater Branch, under the Freshwater Ecosystems and Wetlands Unit (FEU). The primary function of this role is to support the implementation of national and global-level activities under the EC-funded project titled 'Implementation and reinforcement of global water resolutions, preparation and follow-up to UNEA-7 and the UN Water Conferences 2026 & 2028'. The consultant will be responsible for providing ongoing technical support across various areas, including stakeholder engagement, national-level technical assistance, organization of gender-responsive webinars and technical sessions, and the development of joint project concepts with UN-Water partners. The role also involves conducting south-south and triangular exchanges, developing technical guidance products, and ensuring the operationalization of the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action. The consultant will play a crucial role in preparing for key global fora on water and climate, ensuring inclusive stakeholder engagement, and supporting resource mobilization efforts. This position requires a proactive approach to enhance the implementation of water-related elements into national planning instruments and to contribute to the overall objectives of the project, which include promoting integrated and ecosystem-based water governance, policy coherence, and international cooperation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Providing technical expertise to enhance the implementation of the EC-funded Global Water Resolutions project, focusing on freshwater and urban ecosystem resilience.
• Supporting national-level engagement in project focus countries, facilitating the integration of water-related elements into national planning instruments such as NDCs, NAPs, NBSAPs, and NAPAs/NDPs through targeted technical assistance and gender-responsive webinars and workshops.
• Developing three joint project concepts with UN-Water partners, ensuring the integration of urban resilience elements and scaling UNEP's contributions to the Collaborative Implementation Plan (CIP).
• Creating and publishing two gender-responsive guidance documents and organizing related webinars and events in conjunction with major COPs and other policy-setting fora.
• Conducting ad hoc south-south and triangular exchanges to document best practices and integrated approaches on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), focusing on traditional, local, gender-responsive, and Indigenous knowledge.
• Organizing inclusive stakeholder sessions to enhance participation and diversity in the Baku Dialogue Initiative, particularly focusing on youth and Indigenous groups.
• Providing resource mobilization support, including the preparation of concept notes and funding proposals, to ensure the continuation of the Baku Dialogue beyond the project's life.
• Delivering technical inputs for various events, including background notes and session concepts, to support communication and outreach efforts.
• Coordinating with internal and external partners to advance project objectives and preparing background documents and technical inputs for visibility products. 1
• Contributing to project reporting and results monitoring, including maintaining the project's Indicator Tracking Table and analyzing alignment between partner deliverables and project indicators. 1
• Supporting other water-related projects and programs within the Freshwater Ecosystems and Wetlands Unit as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental science, water resources management, urban planning, ecology, or a closely related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the aforementioned fields, combined with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. A minimum of two years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in freshwater or water resources management, urban ecosystem conservation, and/or drought and climate resilience is required. Additionally, experience in stakeholder engagement, coordination of multi-country or multi-partner project activities, and support to intergovernmental or policy processes (e.g., UNEA, UN-Water, UNFCCC processes) is essential. Candidates should also have experience preparing technical knowledge products such as technical briefs and guidance materials, which may inform related communication or outreach products. Experience working with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, including national and international technical experts, is highly valued. Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and familiarity with database or indicator-tracking tools is required, along with the ability to work with minimal supervision and meet tight deadlines.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in fields such as environmental science, water resources management, urban planning, or ecology. In cases where candidates hold a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent), they must also have two additional years of qualifying experience in relevant areas to be considered for the role. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of water resource management and environmental policy implementation.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in areas related to freshwater or water resources management, urban ecosystem conservation, and drought and climate resilience. Candidates should have a proven track record in stakeholder engagement and coordination of multi-country or multi-partner project activities. Experience in supporting intergovernmental or policy processes, such as those associated with UNEA, UN-Water, or UNFCCC, is also essential. Furthermore, candidates should have experience in preparing technical knowledge products, including technical briefs and guidance materials, which are critical for informing communication and outreach efforts. The ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams is highly valued, as is proficiency in relevant computer applications and tools.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English is required for this position. Additionally, basic or intermediate knowledge of Spanish is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration with a broader range of stakeholders and partners involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of 12 months. The position is full-time, and the consultant will be required to work closely with various stakeholders, including UNEP Divisions, Regional Offices, and other UN entities. The role involves significant engagement with international partners and may require travel to various locations for meetings and events related to the project. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization is committed to ensuring a transparent and equitable recruitment process.