Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family

CONS International

2025-03-01

December 11, 2024

The Americas region faces unprecedented levels of forced displacement, both in its complexity and scale, largely because of the situation in Venezuela, the increasing violence, insecurity, and instability in several parts of Central America and the continued effects of conflict and violence in many regions of Colombia. The impact of climate change has aggravated the situation of displaced populations and communities at risk of displacement, further deteriorating their vulnerabilities and increasing mobility.

Roughly 86 per cent of those forcibly displaced come from countries that are the most vulnerable and least ready to adapt to the impacts of climate change. These countries also host around 70 per cent of people internally displaced by conflict or violence. The interrelation between climate change and other displacement factors remains an issue of concern in the context of countries in Northern Central America. It also remains extremely relevant in the Caribbean context.

A World Bank study predicts that by 2050 the internal climate displaced people – i.e. persons forced to displace within their own countries due to slow onset climate impacts such as water stress, crop failure and sea level rise – will number between 9.4 million and 17.1 million in Latin America (up to 2.6
percent of the total population of the region).

Numerous displaced persons settle in declared risk zones, often due to a lack of knowledge of their new environment and its potential threats, especially
in urban areas. According to the lnteramerican Development Bank, by 2030, 2.5 million jobs could be lost in the Americas due to heat waves that particularly affect people who work outdoors.
To operationalize its commitment to reduce and manage the effects of climate change on forcibly displaced and stateless people, UNHCR released a global Strategic Plan for Climate Action 2024-2030.
Ecuador and Honduras are among 22 identified countries by UNHCR worldwide where data demonstrates the impact of the climate crisis will only get worse by 2030.

In line with this global Strategic plan, UNHCR Americas is strengthening its operations to meet the humanitarian and protection needs exacerbated by the climate emergency, ranging from preparedness and response to disaster-related displacement, to the implementation of environmentally friendly programs that protect people and the environment, to enhancing the resilience of both displaced and host communities to climate shocks.

This consultancy aims to support the implementation of the regional climate action plan (2025-2030) and support UNHCR RBA role in that respect. Given the context and the key opportunity presented by the new mixed movement UN coordination model being shaped in the region, this consultancy will also support the role of UNHCR as co-coordinator of the revised coordination model to rally relevant actors who are already key players in the climate change field to strengthen the nexus between climate, peace and human mobility in the region. Key actions outlined in the UNHCR Climate Action Strategy are also closely related to protection work, such as legal and policy frameworks, IDPs, community-based engagement, and the development of regional
standards in collaboration with Inter-American Human Rights System.

As such, this person will closely work with Climate action R4V lead, UNHCR RBA lead on climate action (Snr Risk Adviser), and will coordinate and consult closely with the Senior Protection Coordinator.
The person will also oversee research and evidence generating to influence policy and legal developments related to climate and human mobility. In doing so, this person would expand the ‘inclusion’ efforts of UNHCR to fully include displaced and stateless persons in government programs related to climate across the region, particularly those financed by IFls (and in coordination with IFI project and country leads). In these roles specifically, close collaboration is required with the Senior DIMA Coordinator and with the Senior Development
Coordinator.

It is expected that they will undertake the following tasks:
Implementation of UNHCR Climate Action Strategy
1. Support the implementation of the regional climate action strategy.
2. Support the development of national Climate Action Plans, including mainstreaming climate action into all sectors and aspects of the country operations.
3. Support capacity-building, provide advice and support the development of new guidance and tools as required.
4. Support UNHCR planning and the inclusion of climate action in programmatic intervention, planning and reporting (Climate Action Marker, RBM, indicators & COMPASS).
5. Support other UNHCR units, including Public Information / Communications, External Relations, Partnerships, Operations, Supply, M&E, and Reporting on issues related to environment and climate action.
6. Work with operations to explore new opportunities to develop, refine or expand climate action and environmental resilience programming and pilot innovative approaches.

Coordination and Catalytic Role:

7. Collaborate with UNEP Climate Action R4V lead and UNHCR RBA lead on climate action.
8. Support Bureau colleagues’ part of all relevant sectors and clusters to ensure environmental and climate action concerns and impact mitigation measures are included in operational responses.
9. Rally relevant actors to strengthen the nexus between climate, peace, and human mobility.

Research and Evidence Generation:

10. Provide content expertise on research and evidence generation to influence policy and legal developments, in close coordination with DIMA experts, particularly on methodological aspects.
11. Liaise with selected academic institutions to conduct follow-up studies on climate action and displacement in Central America or Colombia.
12. Coordinate with academic institutions and data scientists to produce evidence in close collaboration with data experts in DIMA and influence policy.
13. Enhance analysis of climate risk data and document climate risks and opportunities.

Support to COP 30:
14. Assist in preparations for COP 30 in Brazil
15. Support UNHCR country operation in establishing partnerships with local authorities and support UNHCR’s agenda in national-level preparations.

Required qualifications:

The consultant must have a bachelor’s degree in environmental, social, or economic sciences, climate change, international law, international relations, or environmental protection related university studies, and a
post-graduate university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in fields directly relevant to climate change, climate action, environmental protection, environmental, social, or economic sciences, development, human
rights, international refugee protection and forced displacement.

A minimum of 7 years relevant work experience with national institutions, government officials, the United Nations system, other UN Agencies and/ or international organizations, or with a Regional Intergovernmental
Organizations and / or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on climate change, climate action and environment-related activities. The persons must have research and training experience in the field of environment, displacement, and international law and must possess excellent drafting, writing and analytical skills.

Fields of Expertise:

climate change, climate action, environmental protection, environmental, social, or economic sciences, development, international law, international human rights, international refugee protection and forced displacement.

Work with a high degree of autonomy.
Work under pressure and with tied deadlines.
Demonstrate initiative, flexibility and commitment in the tasks and
work guidelines assigned by supervisors.
Coordinate with the designated focal points for the request and verification of information.
Write documents in a clear and concise way in both Spanish and English.

Required Languages: English and Spanish.

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

English

,

,

Desired Languages

Spanish

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements