Climate change specialist consultant – UN-HABITAT – Mexico City (Mexico)

UN-Habitat is seeking a Climate Change Specialist Consultant in Mexico City to provide technical expertise for GCF Readiness projects in Cuba and Costa Rica. The role involves supporting urban resilience initiatives and collaborating with various teams within the organization. The position focuses on enhancing climate resilience in urban infrastructure and addressing policy gaps in climate change and energy efficiency in the Latin America and Caribbean region.
Result of Service

To provide technical expertise related to climate change and support the GCF Readiness projects in Cuba and Costa Rica within the Mesoamerica Hub, the Latin America and the Caribbean Region and PFES.

Duties and Responsibilities

UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable and resilient towns and cities. It is the focal point agency for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat envisions well-planned, well-governed and efficient cities and towns, with adequate housing, infrastructure and universal access to employment and basic services such as water, energy, and sanitation. The Urban Practices Branch (UPB) is the tools and methodology production center of the UN- Habitat that develops normative guidance and cutting-edge tools through communities of urban practices and is the operational level responsible to undertake technical cooperation projects, such as the construction of water and sanitation facilities, shelter and other work. The Planning, Finance & Economy Section (PFES) is responsible to support urban and territorial planning at all scales including through the development of planning policy, norms and guidelines, urban design and public space design, urban finance (municipal finance and urban development/projects finance), and local economic development. The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean – ROLAC is located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. UN-Habitat’s office for Mesoamerica leads the operational work of UN-Habitat in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the UN-Habitat Urban Lab Mesoamerica Hub, part of the Mesoamerica Hub office, collaborates with governments and local partners to develop project proposals in territorial and urban planning, finance, innovation and its links with climate change and urban resilience. In 2025, UN-Habitat will work with governments in Costa Rica and Cuba on two approved GCF Readiness projects: (1) the project “Increased resilience of urban development and infrastructure in Costa Rica through the development of an adaptation construction code” and (2) the project “Enhanced energy efficiency and climate resilience in neighborhoods and communities in Cuba”. The project in Costa Rica aims to improve the climate resilience of critical infrastructure in Costa Rica, specifically focusing on housing, water and sanitation, and road transport infrastructure. This will be achieved through the development of a national adaptation construction code. The project in Cuba focuses on strengthening strategic frameworks to address policy gaps and enhance sectoral expertise in climate resilience and energy efficiency across neighborhoods and communities in Cuba, especially in the housing sector. Reporting and Communication The Climate Specialist will be hired to collaborate closely with the team of PFES, Urban Lab Mesoamerica Hub and Mesoamerica Office. He/she will be reporting to PFES Urban Lab coordinator, and Head of Mesoamerica Hub, Ms. Fernanda Lonardoni. Duties and Responsibilities As part of the Urban Lab Mesoamerica and the Mesoamerica Subregional Office, the consultant will be responsible for the following duties: • Provide technical expertise and input on climate change and urban resilience and technical overview of GCF products; • Develop analysis, collection, interpretation and representation of data and spatial analysis for climate vulnerability analysis; • Support the review of climate and environmental, political and regulatory frameworks; • Produce desk and field research; • Support the preparation and implementation of participatory processes and workshops; • Advise and develop materials for events, outreach, communications, capacity building sessions and workshops; • Develop normative materials and publications; • Support environmental, social and project risk monitoring and reporting; • Provide inputs for progress reports regarding the implementation of projects.

Qualifications/special skills

First Level university degree in geography, environmental engineering, geography, urban planning, climate change, or a related field is required. An advanced degree with (2) two years qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the first level degree. At least 5 years of relevant work experience in the field of urban and territorial planning or climate change is required.

Languages

English and Spanish are required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

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.

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