JOB DESCRIPTION

CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Issued on:

ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION: Climate Change and Urban Environment Section, GSD, UN-Habitat

DUTY STATION: Nairobi

FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Cities and Climate Change Consultant – Climate Change and Urban Environment

CONTRACT TYPE: Consultant

POST DURATION: 6 Months, extendable

ASSIGNMENT START DATE: February 2026

BACKGROUND

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.
The position supports the transition from the current strategic Plan 2020-2025 towards the implementation of the Environment and Climate Change Impact area of the Strategic Plan (2026-2029). This position is located in the Climate Change and Urban Environment Section, Global Solutions Division. The position falls under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator Climate Change and Urban Environment.
One of UN-Habitat”s climate change related work programmes supports global climate change diplomacy, including the strengthening of the urban content of the NDCs3.0 and their roll-out as well as the engagement in climate change conferences such as the COPs and SBs, including the conduct of the Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change and the hosting of a pavilion.

Urban Climate Change innovation and thought leadership is another work programme of the team. This is done by supporting the development of the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities through the Innovate4Cities partnership.

In response to the growing urgency for climate-resilient urban development, UN-Habitat launched the Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGe) initiative in partnership with the COP27 Presidency and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.

SURGe is a flagship initiative that helps countries translate national climate commitments into local action by strengthening urban services and housing. It supports integrated implementation of national climate plans (including NDCs), focusing on six key entry points: housing and buildings, urban energy, mobility, waste and consumption, water, and biodiversity.

UN-Habitat is seeking a Cities and Climate Change Consultant to strengthen the visibility and strategic impact of its urban climate action workstreams, initiatives, events and programmes including working to scale up implementation of the Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGe) Initiative, activities under the Innovate4Cities initiative and the partnership with the Global Covenant of Mayors.

Objective of the Consultancy
To ensure visibility, coherence and impact of UN-Habitat’s climate change and urban environment portfolio, UN-Habitat seeks a cities and climate change consultant to provide research, publication, event and partnership support. Core functions include knowledge product development, knowledge management around the urban content of the NDCs, session preparations for World Urban Forum 13 and Innovate4Cities 2026 and partnerships including the NDC Partnership, Global Covenant of Mayors, ICLEI/LGMA, C40, WRI.

This work will directly support UN-Habitat”s broader efforts to strengthen multilevel and multisectoral collaboration to accelerate climate action directly supporting the implementation of UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029, with housing, land and urban basic services at the centre and climate action as a core impact area.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Coordinator Climate Change and Urban Environment and in close collaboration with colleagues from the Climate Change and Urban Environment Section and climate focal points across the agency, the incumbent will be required to perform the following functions:

Innovate4Cities: Climate Change – Urbanization – Crisis Nexus

Lead track, support internal UN-Habitat coordination with Crisis Team

Support to Ukraine engagement of SURGe Hub

IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities and Innovate4Cities: Conference 2026 Session Development

I4C Conference, lead on Housing track

WUF events with emphasis on the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities

Report on projects on climate resilient housing and settlements [RISE UP report]

NDC3.0: Strengthening the Urban Content of the NDCs / Multilevel Climate Action

Support regional and country offices in the development of their NDCs and/or the development of national and city level 2 reports on capacity development and roll-out strategies

NDC Training report

Draft training design for NDC3.0 country training

Develop engagement with NDC partnership

Support CHAMP partnership and governance.

Develop (design, branding, layout) NDC report

COP30 pavilion layout

EXPECTED RESULTS/ Ultimate Results

The consultancy will deliver:

A summary report on the alignment of UN-Habitat”s Climate Change and Crisis Impact areas.

A summary strategy for strengthening climate action in Ukraine.

The inclusion of strategic opportunities for Housing and Informal Settlements Upgrading in the I4C Conference documentation.

Summary report on WUF events addressing the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities

Report on projects on climate resilient housing and settlements

An NDC3.0 training report

Analysis report of urban content of the NDC 3.0 report

COP30 pavilion layout

Layout of COP29 Ministerial Meeting report

Monthly payments will be made against monthly reports demonstrating the progress against the responsibilities and deliverables.

COMPETENCIES

PROFESSIONALISM:
Knowledge of all aspects of the design, development, management, implementation and maintenance of complex web projects using web content management systems and technologies; Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of digital communications strategy, tools, approaches and practices for the creation and maintenance of high-quality communication campaigns; Strong analytical skills and ability to rapidly analyze, strategize and integrate diverse information from various multimedia and digital sources. Shows pride in work and in achievements; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING:
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

COMMUNICATION:
Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

TEAMWORK: Ability to work with teams, demonstrate leadership, conflict management and consensus facilitation skills; ability to work in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment, and to respect diversity; sensitivity to the main streaming of vulnerability; willingness and ability to work in difficult environments.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Education
Minimum advanced university degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in Urban planning, Architecture, environmental
management, economics, international development or relevant field is required. A first degree with 2 additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work experience

A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in architecture and urban planning and design, project management and stakeholder engagement, ideally gained at the international level is required, including working on urban climate change mitigation and/or adaptation is required.

Proven experience in green-buildings solutions and climate resilient housing and urban design is required.

Proven experience in communicating and visualizing urban climate change knowledge is required.

Familiarity with Climate – Crisis / Displacement – Urbanizaiton discourse is desirable.

Familiarity with NDC development and implementation is desirable.

Language
French and English are the working languages ​​of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an added advantage.

Payment
The consultant will be paid on a monthly basis at IICA I Level

Applications should include:

Cover memo (maximum 1 page)

P11, indicating the following information:

Educational Background (incl. dates)

Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)

Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)

All applications should be submitted to: Bernhard Barth ([email protected]) and cc mailto: Pauline Muthoni ([email protected]).

Deadline for applications: Posting period 04 to 11 December 2025
UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: [email protected]

Duration

6 months

Grade

Consultant

Duty Station

Nairobi

Department/Office

Climate Change and Urban Environment

Post date

04/12/2025 – 12:00 pm

Deadline

11/12/2025 – 12:00 pm

Country

Kenya

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements