Result of Service

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.

Work Location

Turkiye / Home-based

Expected duration

12 months (1 April 2026 31 March 2027)

Duties and Responsibilities

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 Partnerships 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, UNDPs 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 1.5C 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 UNEPs delivery model. The team also acts as the main liaison between UNEP and the NDC Partnership, coordinating UNEPs 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 UNEPs 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 Turkiyes 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 Turkiye in support of UNEPs broader climate finance agenda.
• Contributing to resource mobilization efforts and project preparations Geographic and Programmatic Coverage: The Consultants 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 initiatives 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 Turkiye, 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 Turkiyes 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 Turkiye to develop and advance one or two project ideas to be presented for GEF9 consideration.
• Engage with relevant partners on the ground in Turkiye, 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 Turkiye, 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. Qualifications/special skills 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…