Freshwater & Urban Resilience Expert

Role Overview

This consultancy sits within UNEP’s Ecosystems Division and supports the EC-funded project on implementing and reinforcing global water resolutions, with a particular focus on preparing for UNEA-7 and the UN Water Conferences in 2026 and 2028. Day to day, you will provide technical freshwater expertise across multiple workstreams: advising focus countries on integrating water-related priorities into national planning instruments, designing and delivering gender-responsive webinars and technical sessions, and developing joint project concepts with UN-Water partners. Your work will directly enable the operationalisation of the Baku Dialogue on Water for Climate Action and help shape UNEP’s contributions to major international fora such as COP31, the World Water Forum, World Water Week and the UN 2026 Water Conference.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to focus countries to support the integration of water-related elements into NDCs, NAPs, NBSAPs and NAPAs/NDPs, including through webinars, workshops and dedicated sessions held alongside COPs and under the Baku Dialogue.
• Develop three joint project concepts with UN-Water partners and UNEP Divisions/Regional Offices, integrating urban resilience elements to advance the Collaborative Implementation Plan and UNEA Resolution 6/13 on water governance.
• Lead the development and publication of two gender-responsive guidance documents, together with related webinars and side events at major policy fora including UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD, G20, WEF, Ramsar and World Water Week.
• Conduct ad hoc south-south and triangular exchanges on integrated water resources management, documenting best practices including traditional, local, gender-responsive and Indigenous knowledge, without creating fixed regional structures.
• Organise inclusive stakeholder sessions that strengthen participation of youth, Indigenous groups and women in the Baku Dialogue Initiative, including at Steering Committee meetings and global water events.
• Support resource mobilisation by preparing concept notes and funding proposals, including joint proposals with UNEP Divisions/Regional Offices to ensure the Baku Dialogue continues beyond the project period.
• Prepare technical inputs such as background notes, session concepts and logistics briefs for global events, and contribute to communication and outreach products supporting UNEP-assigned co-chairs.
• Contribute to project monitoring and reporting by maintaining the Indicator Tracking Table, analysing partner deliverables against project indicators, and supporting alignment with the Freshwater Ecosystems and Wetlands Unit portfolio.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental science, water resources management, urban planning, ecology or a closely related field. A Bachelor’s degree plus two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu.
• At least two years of professional experience at national or international level in freshwater/water resources management, urban ecosystem conservation, or drought and climate resilience.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, coordinating multi-country or multi-partner activities, and supporting intergovernmental or policy processes such as UNEA, UN-Water or UNFCCC.
• Proven ability to prepare technical knowledge products, including briefs, guidance materials and event documents that inform communication and outreach outputs.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, with the ability to engage national and international technical experts effectively.
• Strong computer literacy, including MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and email/internet; familiarity with database or indicator-tracking tools is an advantage.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Fluency in English is required; basic or intermediate knowledge of Spanish is an advantage.