Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

B

Family

CONS Local

2025-03-01

January 23, 2025

Purpose of project: The individual consultant will support the Refugee Environmental Protection (REP) Fund initiative in Brazil. Reporting jointly to the Brazilian Deputy Representative and the REP Fund Manager, the consultant will focus on developing actionable frameworks for carbon-financed projects, facilitating collaboration with key stakeholders, and ensuring the feasibility studies and project strategies are tailored to Brazil’s unique context. The consultant’s contributions will also position the REP Fund strategically for the upcoming COP30 in Belem, driving innovative and sustainable climate solutions in displacement settings.

Background:
UNHCR seeks a dedicated Regional Carbon and Environmental Impact Consultant to support the Refugee Environmental Protection (REP) Fund and related initiatives. Reporting jointly to the REP Fund Project Manager and the Deputy Representative in Brazil, the consultant will oversee and coordinate key activities, including managing REP feasibility studies, extracting lessons learned, and supporting strategic initiatives within Brazil and at the regional level.

The REP Fund is an innovative financing mechanism designed to scale up impactful reforestation and clean cooking programs in climate-vulnerable refugee-hosting communities worldwide. By investing in these programs, the Fund aims to mitigate environmental degradation, enhance resilience to climate change, and create sustainable economic opportunities for forcibly displaced persons (FDPs) and host communities. The initiative also links these communities to global carbon markets by generating certified carbon credits, empowering them to reinvest in local programs while contributing to global climate goals.

In Brazil, the REP Fund focuses on high-priority areas severely impacted by deforestation, illegal mining, and environmental degradation. The state hosts large numbers of refugees and migrants, including Indigenous Peoples displaced by environmental and socio-economic challenges.

As Brazil prepares to host COP30, this role also involves contributing to broader climate and environmental initiatives at the national and regional levels, supporting the Brazil Country Office and the Regional Bureau in advancing UNHCR’s climate action agenda.

Scope of assignment
The Consultant will be responsible for:
• REP Fund coordination: Monitor and enable the feasibility study process with external partners, including the contracted company conducting the feasibility study, indigenous organizations in the study area and the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI), ensuring alignment with project objectives and compliance with relevant standards (e.g., ILO 169); Provide regular updates on the progress of the feasibility study to the REP Fund Project Manager and the Deputy Representative in Brazil; Synthesize findings and produce reports to inform strategy and decision-making for the REP Fund and to inform strategic recommendations for Brazil Country Office on how to operationalize the study.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Maintaining culturally sensitive communication channels with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) at all stages of the process, establishing a clear and transparent dialogue with reliable information; Facilitate consultations with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), in accordance with the methodologies and procedures established by the communities themselves, ensuring their active participation and alignment with project goals; Build partnerships with local and international stakeholders to support implementation and scalability of environmental programs; Present the results of the feasibility study to the communities and design jointly with them an implementation plan, if applicable.

• Support for broader initiatives: Collaborate with the Brazil Country Office and Regional Bureau to support additional climate and environmental initiatives; Contribute to capacity building and regional knowledge sharing on Environmental programming.

• Capacity building and knowledge sharing: Develop training materials and deliver workshops for staff and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) on environmental resilience and carbon credit-financed programs;
Support Brazil Country Office staff in integrating climate and environmental considerations into broader UNHCR programs.

• Additional duties as required: Provide technical guidance for linking reforestation and clean cooking solutions to global and regional environmental strategies; Assist in preparing briefings, presentations, and reports for senior leadership and external stakeholders.

Deliverables and Timeline:
• Support to the consultancy team on the feasibility of carbon credit projects in dialogue with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), their organizations, FUNAI and other key actors.
• Regular progress reports summarizing key findings and recommendations from the REP feasibility study.
• Final synthesis report on REP Fund outcomes, including lessons learned and scalability opportunities.
• Returning the results of the feasibility study to the IPLCs, together with the field team and UNHCR. Advising on the project design and implementation if study finds the carbon credit project feasible for the communities;
• Capacity-building materials and training tools for UNHCR staff.
• Contributions to other environmental initiatives as required.

All written communication with UNHCR shall be in English & Portuguese with a good knowledge of Spanish.

CANDIDATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Education:
o Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Climate Studies, International Development, Anthropology, or a related field.

• Experience:
o Minimum 6 years of professional experience in environmental management, reforestation programs, or carbon credit projects.
o Proven experience working with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in Brazil or similar contexts, including with indigenous peoples from the São Marcos Indigenous Land in the state of Roraima.
o Familiarity with national and international legislation that guarantees the rights of indigenous peoples.
o Familiarity with legal, technical, and financial aspects of carbon markets and reforestation initiatives.

• Languages:
o Required: Portuguese and English
o Desirable: Spanish

• Skills:
o Strong project management and coordination abilities.
o Expertise in stakeholder engagement, particularly with IPLCs, indigenous organizations, and local governments.
o Effective analytical skills for synthesizing and presenting complex data into actionable recommendations.

• Competences:
o Demonstrated ability to engage with IPLCs in culturally sensitive ways.
o Strong understanding of climate resilience strategies in humanitarian and development settings.
o Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
o Excellent writing skills in Portuguese and English.
o Capacity to balance competing priorities in a dynamic work environment.

Terms of the contract:
The consultancy is located in the state of Roraima (Brazil), for an initial period of 11 months with the possibility of extension based on performance and project needs. The consultancy work may require travel to other cities in the Northern region of Brazil, such as Manaus (Amazonas) and Belem (Pará).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Eligibility:

This position is advertised to internal and external applicants. Candidates must be legally present in Brazil at the time of application, recruitment and hire. Only Brazilian citizens or candidates legally present in Brazil will be considered eligible.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

Remuneration:

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered depending on relevant experience as per the requirements of the job advertisement.

Contract duration: until 31st December 2025.

Applications:

All applications must be submitted online in Workday. Email applications will not be accepted. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

UNHCR has a zero-tolerance policy against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). SEA is unacceptable behavior and prohibited conduct for UNHCR personnel. It constitutes acts of serious misconduct and is therefore grounds for disciplinary measures, including dismissal. Any concerns or suspicions about a possible case of SEA should be reported immediately to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) at inspector@unhcr.org or through the online complain form at https://www.unhcr.org/php/complaints.php or by confidential fax: +41 22 739 73 80.

Other information

Inclusivity statement

UNHCR is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

In the selection process for this UNV position, UNHCR aims to hire candidates from groups still underrepresented in its workforce in Brazil, namely black people, indigenous people, transgender persons and persons with disabilities. Refugees of all nationalities, regardless of race, sex, gender identity, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or other status are highly encouraged to apply. Candidates will be treated equally regardless of their social status.

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

Portuguese

,

English

,

Desired Languages

,

,

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