The Consultant will deliver expert-level services to advance UN-REDD’s external relations and partnership mobilisation objectives in the first year of the 2026–2030 Strategy, engaging a broad range of public, private, multilateral, bilateral, and philanthropic partners. The consultancy will deliver targeted support across two key areas:

• Partnership and Donor Engagement
• Identify, analyse, and prioritise partnership and funding opportunities with governments, multilateral and bilateral organisations, philanthropic foundations, private sector actors, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Develop tailored engagement strategies for priority partners, including preparation of high-quality briefing materials, talking points, and proposals.
• Maintain awareness of shifts in donor and partner priorities, supported by high-quality briefing materials, talking points and proposals.
• Recommend and coordinate follow-up actions to consolidate and deepen relationships over time.
• Collaboration with International Organisations and Initiatives
• Map relevant international organisations, thematic coalitions, and initiatives aligned with with UN-REDD’s mandate.
• Analyse synergies and complementarities to strengthen collaboration and collective impact.
• Propose and support concrete actions for strengthening cooperation, including co-hosted events, joint statements, or collaborative programmes.
• Prepare engagement briefs and positioning materials for meetings with key organisations and initiatives.

Qualifications/special skills

EDUCATION

• An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in social sciences, political sciences, international relations, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of ten years of relevant work experience in donor relations, partnership development, and/or external relations in the context of international development, environmental issues, climate change, or humanitarian action, is required.
• Extensive experience in programme management, including strategic planning, partner engagement, and development of high-quality proposals, briefings, and outreach materials for a range of audiences, is desirable.
• Demonstrated track record in analysing donor and partner landscapes, developing tailored engagement strategies, and securing multi-year and thematic funding from diverse sources, including governments, multilateral organisations, philanthropic foundations, and private sector actors, is desirable.
• Significant experience in multi-stakeholder engagement, including with senior officials in UN agencies, governments, and international organisations, and in convening high-level events at major policy milestones (e.g., COP, UNGA, UNEA), is desirable.