- Job Opening ID: 261202
- Job Network : –
- Job Family : ENV
- Category and Level : Consultants, CON
- Duty Station : NAIROBI
- Department/Office : United Nations Environment Programme
- Date Posted : Jul 16, 2025
- Deadline : Jul 25, 2025
Result of Service
A 10-page briefing note that provides clear, practical guidance on developing and applying climate risk assessments to help bridge the science-policy gap on climate risk assessments and to help inform and support adaptation planning in countries.
Work Location
Home-Based
Expected duration
6 months
Duties and Responsibilities
Organizational Setting UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP’s Climate Change Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity building support for the development and implementation of climate change policy and action, and strengthening the capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to respond to climate change. Background Climate risk assessments (CRAs) are essential for identifying key climate risks, informing adaptation planning, and establishing baselines to track progress. Yet, the technical complexity of climate projections and risk models often hinders their use in decision-making and planning. To address this, UNEP is developing a briefing note that aims to bridge this science-policy gap by demystifying the science behind CRAs and providing clear, accessible guidance on their development and application. The CoP 28 Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) decision (Decision 2/CMA.5), Para 10 a, requires that by 2030 “all Parties have conducted up-to-date assessments of climate hazards, climate change impacts and exposure to risks and vulnerabilities and have used the outcomes of these assessments to inform their formulation of national adaptation plans, policy instruments, and planning processes and/or strategies.” The brief will draw from UNEP’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) portfolio and experience to illustrate practical approaches for using climate projections in policy and decision-making based on best available science and approaches. The work will be supervised by the Chief of the Climate Change Adaptation Unit. Under the guidance of the Chief of the Climate Change Adaptation Unit, the consultant will: 1. Review technical and scientific literature and UNEP documentation and consult with UNEP staff and country teams to gather input to the briefing note. 2. Develop an annotated outline for the briefing note based on the provided structure. 3.Develop the briefing note (approximately 10 pages including graphics) including the following sections: i. Introduction ii. Glossary of key terms related to CRAs iii. Section 1: Developing climate change projections iv. Section 2: Developing impact and risk assessment methodologies v. Section 3: Key data/information sources and portals vi. Conclusions and recommendations 4. Coordinate with UNEP on the design/layout of the briefing note. 5. Incorporate feedback from UNEP’s review process and finalize the briefing note for publication.
Qualifications/special skills
Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as Environmental Sciences, Climate Change, International Development Studies or related field is required. At least 7 years of practical experience in climate change adaptation science and policy is required. Demonstrated expertise in climate risk assessments and familiarity with different methodologies is required. Experience in adaptation project implementation and working in the UN system or similar international organization is desirable.
Languages
Fluency in written and oral English is required
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.
