Result of Service

The ultimate service of the consultancy is to strengthen national and local capacities and provide technical and policy advise in support of the (1) Strengthened Capacities of African, Caribbean and Pacific SIDS for Green, Resilient and Pro-poor Pandemic Recovery (DA14), (2) Fiji Resilient Informal Settlements (AF), (3) Climate Resilient Honiara and (4) Accelerating Multi level Action for SDG Localization in Fiji.

Work Location

Suva

Expected duration

9 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, has since 1997 a Regional Office in Fukuoka, Japan, serving over 30 developing countries in Asia and the Pacific. The Headquarters of UN-Habitat is in Nairobi, Kenya. UN-Habitat is the coordinating agency within the United Nations System for housing, human settlements and urban development. In collaboration with governments and other partners, including local authorities, private and non-governmental organizations, it supports the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular Goal 11 of “Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. It is a focal point for the monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the “New Urban Agenda”. ROAP oversees 15 country offices. Under the guidance of a Regional Representative, the office employs substantive managers (Human Settlements Officers and equivalent) and programme assistants and a Programme Management Officer (PMO) and relevant assistants. UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan (2020 to 2025) includes Domain of Change 3, translated into Subprogramme 3 on “Strengthened Climate Action and Improved Urban Environment”. Under this Subprogramme, UN-Habitat supports countries and cities address the climate and urban environment challenge in many ways including through (i) policy advisory services and support, (ii) climate and urban environment action planning, and (iii) technical assistance and capacity development, and (iv) support mobilizing climate finance for investments across three outcome areas: 1. Reduced greenhouse emissions and improved air quality 2. Improved resource efficiency and protection of ecological assets 3. Effective adaptation of communities and infrastructure to climate change UN-Habitat’s Global Climate Change and Urban Environment Team supports UN-Habitat’s thematic headquarters teams, regional and country offices in the implementation of SubProgramme 3. It further supports the engagement in global policy and advocacy processes and leads several global level multi-stakeholder initiatives (such as the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy partnership the Resilient Settlements for the Urban Poor (RISE UP) and, the Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGe), launched at COP27 and implemented with ICLEI) the team’s national and local engagement also supports portfolio development with multi-lateral climate and environmental funds, particularly the Adaptation Fund and the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility. Across the Regional Offices, and in many country offices, climate and urban environment coordinators integrate regional strategies and the implementation of SubProgramme 3. Background to Consultancy In response to the clearly identified challenges (Pacific Island Countries’ and their cities, towns and communities vulnerability to climate change and the lack of capacity and data to develop integrated climate resilient development strategies, rooted in localized SDG strategies), national and local governments, as well as other urban stakeholders, are increasingly taking action – yet this action is not commiserate to the challenge at hand, nor are the commitments in line with the Goals of the Paris Agreement. The Sixth Pacific Urban Forum (PUF6) highlighted three interrelated strategies and work streams: Urban and Local Climate Action, Localization of SDGs and regionalization of the New Urban Agenda across the Pacific – in partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the regional support organizations (CROP agencies). To accelerate action, UN-Habitat has developed a Pacific Regional Programme and Strategy and developed projects in support of the programme – in close cooperation with the Pacific Urban Partnership. General Responsibilities The Pacific Urban Climate Resilience and Localization Consultant will support the Fukuoka-based HSO in the implementation of the three-pronged Pacific strategy. SDG Localization and Voluntary Local Reviews Supporting Local- and Community- level climate resilience Support the further development of a Regional Sustainable Urban Development Programme Objectives and related Project Outputs Specific tasks are related to the following inter-related projects: (1) Strengthened Capacities of African, Caribbean and Pacific SIDS for Green, Resilient and Pro-poor Pandemic Recovery (DA14), (2) Fiji Resilient Informal Settlements (AF), (3) Climate Resilient Honiara and (4) Accelerating Multi level Action for SDG Localization in Fiji: (1) Strengthened Capacities of African, Caribbean and Pacific SIDS for Green, Resilient and Pro-poor Pandemic Recovery (DA14) Integrated health and climate resilience at the local level Policies and plans in support of health and climate resilience Functioning secretariat for PUP (Pacific Urban Partnership) Co-organization of the Pacific Urban Forum 7, tentatively planned in 2025 (2) Fiji Resilient Informal Settlements Institutional strengthening for enhanced local climate response Local (community/informal settlement) resilience strengthening Enhanced resilience of community level physical, natural and socio-economic assets and ecosystems Increased awareness, knowledge management, data sharing as well as regional replication (3) Climate Resilient Honiara Community-level capacity strengthening for local awareness and ownership of adaptation and climate risk reduction processes and capacity to locally implement. Ward-level strengthening local awareness and capacity to implement, increasing ecosystem resilience and adaptive capacity City-level reduction of risks associated with climate-induced socioeconomic and environmental losses through citywide governance and capacity strengthening Enhanced knowledge management, advocacy, communications and project replication (4) Accelerating Multi level Action for SDG Localization in Fiji. Localizing the SDGs through a 10-year SDG Development Plan for Suva city. SDGs integration into local development planning, financing and action Increased national and local government capacity to implement SDGs through multi-level governance, planning and action Duties and Responsibilities The consultancy is based in Suva, Fiji. Significant Travel to countries with programmes as identified above and regional events is foreseen. The Pacific Urban Climate Resilience and Localization Consultant will support the Fukuoka-based HSO in the implementation of the three-pronged Pacific strategy. SDG Localization and Voluntary Local Reviews Supporting Local- and Community- level climate resilience Support the further development of a Regional Sustainable Urban Development Programme The consultancy will involve the following typical main duties leading to the ultimate requested outputs: Work in close consultation with the Fiji Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the local councils (of Lami, Lautoka, Nadi, Sigatoka, and Labasa), the ESCAP Pacific Office, RMIT, Solomon Islands Ministry of Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey, the UNDRR Pacific Office as well as the Fiji Office of the Global Covenant of Mayors, CLGF Pacific, the University of the South Pacific and other urban, climate and land-related stakeholders. Work on the capacity development of above stakeholder with particular emphasis on VLRs and climate and urban resilience through workshops and mentoring. Work closely with the members of the Pacific Urban Partnership and the host of PUF7, possibly the Ministry of Housing, Papua New Guinea. Work closely with the ROAP climate change and urban environment focal points, including at the country level. Performs other related duties as required, including but not limited to: Developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating assigned strategies/ programmes/ projects, etc; Reviewing relevant documents and reports as requested; Identifying problems and issues to be addressed and initiating corrective actions, as required and requested; liaising with relevant parties as directed; undertaking follow-up actions as required; Undertaking assignments and field visits, in collaboration with the UN-Habitat team and its partners, and supporting the planning of assignments, supporting meetings and workshops; Reviewing and analysing issues and trends, preparation of reports or other research-based activities; Providing substantive backstopping to relevant meetings, conferences, etc., by developing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. Conducting training workshops, seminars, etc.; preparing presentations on assigned topics/activities; Developing advocacy, communication, outreach and knowledge management activities; Participate in activities related to resource mobilization, budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).

Qualifications/special skills

A Bachelor’s degree with additional two (2) years of experience in urban planning, environmental science, environmental policies, climate change, development studies or related field is required. • A minimum of four years’ experience in project management with a particular emphasis on community engagement, climate resilience is required. • Strong communications skills are required. • Project development experience is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in other UN languages is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.