The consultant will support UNEP's Climate Change Division with the global coordination, management and implementation of the NDC Act & Invest initiative, as well as with relevant activities on NDC 3.0, long-term climate action plans, and COP31 preparations. Time allocation is structured as approximately 55% on NDC Act & Invest and related support (including GEF team support) and 25% on COP31-related support, within the overall 80% time-share.

Türkiye / Home-based

12 months (1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027)

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the international 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. The NDC Act & Invest Initiative is a global programme led by UNEP and currently funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and the NDC Partnership’s Partnership Action Fund (PAF) multi-donor trust fund. It is designed to help countries raise their climate ambition and translate their new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted in 2025 into actionable, investable plans. Building on lessons learned from the NDC Action project implementation and previous NDC cycles, the initiative addresses critical gaps in policy alignment, financing, and implementation. It brings together governments, development partners, and the private sector to develop coherent, science-based, and finance-ready NDC frameworks. Structured around three interconnected workstreams, fostering G20+ ambition and action, piloting policy and planning alignment, and providing deep-dive support to enhance NDC investability, the programme aims to bridge the gap between climate commitments and tangible implementation. By aligning national strategies, strengthening enabling environments, and working collaboratively with key partners, including the NDC Partnership, GIZ, UNDP’s Climate Promise, UNFCCC, multilateral development banks (MDBs), development finance institutions (DFIs), and private sector actors. NDC Act & Invest seeks to make the next generation of NDCs both more ambitious and more achievable, accelerating progress toward the 1.5°C goal and enhancing global resilience. The NDC Act & Invest team, based within the Mitigation Branch in Paris, is responsible for the global management and overall coordination of the initiative across partner countries, in line with UNEP’s delivery model. The team also acts as the main liaison between UNEP and the NDC Partnership, coordinating UNEP’s responses to country support requests shared through the Partnership, identifying and applying for additional funding where appropriate, and consolidating implementation and progress reporting. In addition, the team maintains close coordination with related projects under the IKI Programme to ensure coherence and synergies across projects. Overall purpose: The NDC Consultant will provide technical and operational support to UNEP’s Climate Change Division, with a specific focus on the following areas: • Supporting the global coordination, management, and implementation of the NDC Act & Invest initiative, including project oversight, partner liaison, and reporting. • Facilitating Türkiye’s engagement as a pilot country under Workstreams 2 and 3, ensuring alignment between national stakeholders and international climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. • Supporting COP31-related preparations, including stakeholder engagement, event organization, and development of relevant materials in coordination with the project manager and UNEP colleagues. • Contributing to resource mobilization efforts and advancing GEF9 project ideas in Türkiye in support of UNEP’s broader climate finance agenda. • Contributing to resource mobilization efforts and project preparations Geographic and Programmatic Coverage: The Consultant’s portfolio spans both global and country-level work. At the global level, the role covers the overall technical discussions and coordination of the NDC Act & Invest initiative, including engagement with partner countries across different regions receiving support through the initiative’s three workstreams. This includes coordination with multilateral and bilateral partners such as the NDC Partnership, GIZ, UNDP, UNFCCC, MDBs, and DFIs. At the country level, the Consultant will focus primarily on Türkiye, which has been selected as a pilot country under Workstream 2 and 3 of the initiative and is also the host country for COP31. In this capacity, the Consultant will serve as the primary interface between UNEP, national institutions, and other in-country stakeholders, ensuring effective delivery of support activities and maintaining alignment with Türkiye’s national climate policy processes. Additionally, selected countries under the PAF support mechanism may also fall within the programmatic coverage of this assignment. Scope of work and responsibilities: Block A – NDC Act & Invest and Related Support (55%): • Support the management of the NDC Act & Invest Project in partner countries, including monitoring of implementation, donor and UNEP reporting, contracting, and liaising with all teams involved. • Support the development of the Project related documents including interim reports, etc. • Explore opportunities to attract additional funding for NDC and/or LTS-related support for the Act & Invest Project, in coordination with other Climate Change Division colleagues. • Support the organization of global and regional events and steering committee meetings, as needed, and in close consultation with the project manager. • Participate in the organization of project workshops and/or webinars. • Support the elaboration of policy briefs, studies, concept notes and/or technical analyses, as needed. • Support the UNEP GEF team by reaching out to relevant line ministries, operational focal points, and potential in-country partners in Türkiye to develop and advance one or two project ideas to be presented for GEF9 consideration. • Engage with relevant partners on the ground in Türkiye, including coordinating and organizing joint events with GIZ under the IKI Interface project, to facilitate alignment between national stakeholders and international climate initiatives and create synergies. • Under Workstream 2 of the NDC Act & Invest Project, and in light of Turkiye's selection as a pilot country, ensure coordination with relevant national institutions and stakeholders, carry out necessary technical and procedural work, and monitor the progress of all related processes and activities at the country level. • Under Workstream 3 of the NDC Act & Invest Project, follow up and implement all required processes for delivering support to Türkiye, including coordination with relevant counterparts, stakeholder management, and ensuring timely and effective engagement of all parties involved in the design and delivery of country-level support. • Support for selected countries under PAF support. Block B – COP31 Related Support (25%) • Provide support for the preparation and organization of COP31 activities in Antalya, including liaising with relevant UNEP divisions, regional offices, and national counterparts as required. • Assist in the development of COP31-related materials, concept notes, side event proposals, and coordination with partner organizations, as needed. • Support outreach and engagement with national and international stakeholders in the lead-up to COP31, in coordination with the project manager and relevant Division colleagues.

An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Climate Change/Environmental Studies, International Development, or related studies. • An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Climate Change/Environmental Studies, International Development, or related studies (required). • At least five years of experience with relevance to climate change, sustainable development, support to environment/development projects, and/or working with/in developing countries (required). • Fluency in spoken and written English is required • Proven hands-on knowledge of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) support, climate transparency, and/or any other topic closely related to the implementation of the Paris Agreement (required). • Familiarity with project management support, such as organising (virtual) workshops and stakeholder consultations, drafting briefing notes, developing and/or revising project documents and concepts, project monitoring and reporting (required). • Experience working with climate and development stakeholders from recipient countries and national development agencies, international organizations, and technical partners (required). • Experience working with/for the UN is highly desirable • Strong communication skills, ability to listen and analyse carefully, rigorous and autonomous • High motivation to support developing countries in planning and implementing climate actions • Fluency in Turkish desirable

Fluency in spoken and written English is required and Turkish desirable

PROFESSIONALISM: • Has a solid commitment to the national and global goals of climate change, per the Paris Agreement. • Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change mitigation and adaptation planning. • Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements. • Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations. TEAMWORK: • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. • Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise. • Is willing to learn from others; supports and acts per final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. • Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: • Develops clear goals consistent with agreed strategies. • Identifies priority activities and assignments. • Adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate time and resources for completing work. • Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. • Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. • Uses time efficiently.

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.