Technical Consultant for Climate Change Adaptation

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), which was established in 1950 with the mission to protect and support refugees and displaced persons worldwide. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries, providing assistance to millions of people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. The organization aims to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country, and it works to promote durable solutions for refugees, including voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement to a third country. UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, encouraging candidates from various backgrounds to apply, including those from underrepresented groups.

Job Overview:
The position of Technical Consultant for Climate Change Adaptation involves providing technical support to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) in Brazil, specifically in the development and implementation of the National Climate Plan through the AdaptCities initiative. This initiative, launched on February 12, 2025, aims to assist states and municipalities in developing and strengthening local and regional climate adaptation strategies and plans. The consultant will work closely with the MMA team to support subnational governments throughout key stages of adaptation planning, which includes facilitating institutional engagement, conducting climate risk assessments, identifying climate hazards, formulating strategic objectives, and contributing to governance structures. The role emphasizes the integration of displacement-related considerations into local adaptation plans, ensuring that the needs of vulnerable displaced populations are addressed in climate adaptation strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: 1) Providing technical support to the National Climate Plan and AdaptCities processes; 2) Drafting technical documents, meeting notes, concept notes, and reports as requested by the MMA and UNHCR; 3) Supporting the MMA in constructing relevant protocols; 4) Organizing public consultations, meetings, workshops, and seminars; 5) Drafting regulations and legal instruments as needed; 6) Conducting technical trainings for climate change adaptation planning; 7) Providing information on municipal or regional climate change risk; 8) Offering methodological guidelines for developing climate adaptation plans; 9) Mentoring and training for local adaptation plan development; 10) Supporting multilevel governance integration and evaluation of adaptation plans; 11) Guiding access to investments for local adaptation actions; 12) Traveling as required for work-related purposes; 13) Performing other duties as assigned by the MMA or UNHCR.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Law, Public Policy, International Relations, or a related field from an accredited institution. They should have a minimum of five years of professional experience in climate change-related activities, including adaptation policies, climate-driven displacement, and migration. The candidate should demonstrate expertise in climate risk assessment, territorial planning, and the design and implementation of local adaptation strategies. Strong competencies in coordinating multi-stakeholder processes and supporting subnational governments through the adaptation planning cycle are essential. Experience with climate-related displacement and knowledge of relevant tools and platforms will enhance the candidate's qualifications.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Social Sciences, Law, Public Policy, or International Relations. The degree must be obtained from an accredited academic institution, ensuring that the candidate has a solid foundation in the principles and practices related to climate change and public policy.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in areas related to climate change, adaptation policies, and climate-driven displacement. Candidates should have experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder processes and supporting subnational governments in adaptation planning. Familiarity with tools and platforms relevant to climate risk assessment and adaptation strategies is also necessary, as is experience in drafting and implementing public policies.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are English (C1/advanced level and above) and Portuguese (fluent). Additionally, knowledge of Spanish (B1/intermediate level and above) is desirable, which would enhance communication and collaboration in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is based in Brasilia, Brazil, and is not remote. The contract duration is until April 4, 202

• Candidates must be legally present in Brazil at the time of application and recruitment. UNHCR does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and a competitive compensation and benefits package will be offered based on relevant experience. The recruitment process may include written tests and/or oral interviews, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from underrepresented groups.