Senior Climate Advisor

Result of Service

The Advisor will lead in efforts categories under the following three areas: - Information: Synthesizing and communicating information on the COP28 presidency priorities to relevant UN interlocuters, and on the COP29 presidency vision, strategy and initiatives once articulated. - Advisory services: Providing strategic advice for the RCs/UNCTs in UAE and Azerbaijan vis-à-vis the priorities, mirroring the respective UNCT’s focus areas in line with global UN directives. - Capacity Development: Provide capacity development support for relevant UN colleagues to advise them on COP processes, secondary and supporting interventions, and serve as a point of reference for further information. - Partnerships Development: establish strategic partnerships between the RCOs/UNCT’s and COP Presidencies and other relevant local and global partners.




Work Location

Remotely




Expected duration

6 Months




Duties and Responsibilities

UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP) remains the chief multilateral instrument for mobilizing the international community toward achieving its collective ambition in reducing emissions, strengthening resilience to climate change through adaptation, and ensuring solidarity with most affected communities and geographies. The United Nations system has a pivotal role in the COP process both pre, during and post-COP through multiple channels, including at the local level through the coordination and convening functions of the Resident Coordinator Offices (RCO) and UN Country Teams (UNCT) in COP-hosting countries. The RCOs are mainstreaming climate into strategic frameworks and programmes and play a key role in convening, coordinating and amplifying science-based information with the host country, local partners and the general public toward greater impacts in all aspects of the climate agenda. The UN Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO) in the UAE achieved praiseworthy success in supporting the UNCT engagement at both COP27 and COP28, including through the development of a dedicated programme focusing on relevant thematic priorities in close cooperation with the UAE COP28 Presidency, accompanied with operational and public outreach efforts that proved instrumental in support of COP27 and COP28. This consultancy/advisory will capitalize on the momentum garnered to accompany the implementation phase of the UAE COP28 Presidency and its many pledges, declarations, and initiatives through/or in preparation for COP29, as well as facilitate an institutional knowledge transfer and the sharing of best practices from the RCO in the UAE to counterparts in Azerbaijan. Furthermore, as Azerbaijan COP29 Presidency’s vision, strategy and initiatives are elaborated over the coming months, this consultancy will support the RC/UNCT in Azerbaijan – together with the wider UN system – to provide coordinated UN support to the COP29 Presidency. To ensure that the initiatives are fully implemented and sustained post-COP28, they will require tight coordination and follow-up as well as long-term collaboration through robust partnerships. This provides a great opportunity for the RCO in the UAE and Azerbaijan to collaborate with both Presidencies on areas of mutual interest and initiate/leverage on joint programming opportunities. Specifically, this Individual Contractor (IC) will serve as a bridge between the respective RCOs/COP Presidencies and support information sharing, analysis, partnerships development and outreach efforts in support of both COP28 and COP29 presidencies, with a view to positioning/maintaining the relevant RCOs as key interlocuters and reliable partners that can mobilize the broader UN system in support of each respective presidency priorities and outcomes. Tasks and Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Head of RCOs in UAE and Azerbaijan, and the overall guidance of the UN Resident Coordinators, the advisor is expected to perform the following tasks: 1. Provide support on all substantive and technical matters related to the implementation phase of the COP28 Presidency and developments on the road to COP29. 2. Submit weekly/monthly updates on relevant developments for both the COP28 and COP29 presidency. These updates shall capture strategy, policy trends and implications, priority areas, operational matters and key issue nuances facing both presidencies. 3. Produce high-quality concept notes, briefing notes, presentations and other technical materials associated with the UAE’s and Azerbaijan’s expected engagement at COP29. 4. Liaise with COP28 Presidency and relevant stakeholders such as Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment (MOCCAE), Youth Climate Champion, High-Level Climate Champions and COP29 Presidency team on matters relating to mutual priorities. In the UAE context especially in relation to the climate-biodiversity nexus, anticipatory humanitarian action, and youth engagement. Facilitate contact with COP28 and 29 Presidencies and UNFCCC focal points. 5. Provide strategy options for both RCOs to capitalize on momentum, including in relation to the following areas: a. Participate in and report on milestone events planned on the road to COP29, including at flagship regional and global events (e.g. Climate Weeks, Regional Conferences, inter-sessional subsidiary meetings, UNFCCC events, pre-COP, CoYs). Build on the series of events facilitated by RCO UAE at COP28 to ensure momentum is not lost. b. Advise on messaging both to UNCT and UN entities, as well as to respective presidencies. This includes informing high-level statements and substantive materials to inform ongoing dialogue. c. Partnerships development/entry points for UN engagement. d. Support the development of content for outreach, communications, and visibility efforts. 6. Formulate capacity development materials/roadmap on COPs, targeting UN colleagues, to ensure their fruitful engagement in the process building on prior experiences. 7. Undertake any additional relevant tasks as requested facilitate missions to the UAE and Azerbaijan, help to set up a diplomatic group, provide advice on pavilion/ programing/ operations/ logistics, and associated tasks.




Qualifications/special skills

An advanced degree in international affairs, development studies, environmental science, climate change or a related field is required. At least 5 years of experience in multilateral climate actions and international relations is required. Demonstrated substantive, coordination, and operations experience with COPs especially COP27 and COP28 is required. Strong analytical and writing skills, with a proven ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to non-expert audiences is desirable. Familiarity with international environmental policy frameworks is desirable.




Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.




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.