Cities and Climate Change Consultant – Multilevel Action

About the role

UN-Habitat is hiring a consultant in Nairobi to support the Climate Change and Urban Environment Section in implementing the Environment and Climate Change Impact area of its Strategic Plan (2026-2029). The consultant works under the supervision of the Programme Coordinator Climate Change and Urban Environment and collaborates with colleagues in the section and climate focal points across the agency. The expected duration is 12 months.

Key responsibilities

• SURGe Secretariat (global): coordinate day-to-day operations, workplan development, agreements and reporting; develop knowledge products, events and strategic engagements; engage with the Bratislava Hub and the Slovak Republic; develop guidelines, workshop materials and partner engagement tools for NDC 3.0 implementation; develop resource mobilization for multilevel climate action and operationalize SURGe regional hubs.
• SURGe Secretariat (regional and country engagement): support regional coordinators with check-ins, reporting, product co-development, country prioritization, materials and workshops; tailor guidelines and materials for NDC implementation and local climate action plans; foster collaboration with RISE UP countries.
• Innovate4Cities 2028 and IPCC SR Cities: develop and implement the rollout strategy, prepare a workplan ahead of the IPCC report launch, organize strategic events and prepare technical products, and engage partners and donors.
• Crisis nexus: ensure the section's involvement in UN-Habitat's crisis work, map priorities, and develop ad-hoc knowledge products and pitches (e.g., El Niño, conflicts in Ukraine).
• ROLAC: co-lead engagement with the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, co-create knowledge products, organize events and identify joint resource mobilization and NDC 3.0 opportunities.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in Social Sciences, International Relations, Public Policy, Urban/Regional Planning, Environment Studies, International Development or a relevant field; a first degree with two additional years of experience may be accepted.
• At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in urban management, project management and stakeholder engagement, ideally at the international level, including urban climate change mitigation and/or adaptation.
• Familiarity with research and academic processes and international academic partnerships.
• Proven experience in communicating urban climate change knowledge.