Result of Service

UN-REDD will have strengthened and diversified its funding base, advanced donor commitments, and positioned itself strategically in global forest and climate finance dialogues. Internal coordination mechanisms and governance processes will operate effectively under the 2026-2030 Strategy. The consultant’s services will result in actionable donor intelligence, high-quality strategic and donor-facing materials, an annual strategic engagement plan, and sound advice on work planning and governance arrangements. Together, these enhance the Programme’s credibility and its capacity to mobilize the scale of resources needed for forest countries to deliver ambitious and transformative results through 2030.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

4 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD Programme) is the UN’s interagency flagship partnership between FAO, UNDP and UNEP, that supports nationally led REDD+ processes and promotes the informed and meaningful involvement of all stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples and other forest-dependent communities, in national and international REDD+ implementation. The UN-REDD Programme Secretariat, hosted by UNEP, supports the UN-REDD governing bodies and the overall operations of the Fund. In 2026, the UN-REDD Programme enters a new phase (2026–2030) with the transformative ambition on scaling up forest-based climate action, mobilizing significant new resources, and strengthening its governance arrangements. The Consultant will deliver expert-level services in the following areas: 1. Resource Mobilization and Donor Engagement

Identify, analyze and prioritize potential funding sources, including traditional donors, emerging economies, philanthropic foundations and other non-traditional sources.
Develop donor intelligence on priorities, funding windows and decision calendars, and advise on tailored engagement approaches for each priority donor.
Develop concept notes, funding proposals and other donor-facing products aligned with the 2026–2030 Strategy results framework.
Maintain a pipeline of funding opportunities, with status, risks and recommended next steps. 2. Strategic Engagement and Outreach
Design and implement the UN-REDD Secretariat’s annual strategic engagement plan, mapping high-value events, decision points and partnership opportunities across the year. 3. Internal Coordination and Programme Management
Provide strategic and technical advice to strengthen coordination within UN-REDD’s interagency structure, including the Strategy Group and the Management Group.
Review the annual integrated work plan and budget against the Strategy’s results framework and donor priorities, and advise on alignment, gaps and risks. 4. Governance and Strategic Planning
Provide technical inputs and advice on governance arrangements for the 2026–2030 period, including assessment of Executive Board composition, processes and efficiency.
Prepare analysis and options papers on governance questions raised by the Head of the Secretariat, including follow-up to Executive Board decisions.

Qualifications/special skills

A Master’s degree in social, environmental, political sciences, or a related field is required. A bachelor’s degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree.

A minimum of ten years of relevant work experience in programme management, donor relations, and strategic engagement in the context of international development, environmental issues, and climate change is required
Extensive track record in developing and implementing resource mobilisation strategies, conducting donor intelligence, and maintaining long-term relationships with governments, multilateral/bilateral agencies, and other partners.
Proven experience in high-level coordination within inter-agency partnerships, including strategy development, work planning, and governance processes for complex multi-stakeholder programmes.
Significant experience in preparing high-quality reports, briefings, concept notes, and presentations for senior leadership and donors, including contributions to UN reports and global event materials.
Experience working on climate and forests with international organisations and programmes, including the UN system and UN-REDD is desirable Skills:
Strong strategic thinking, planning, and organisational skills with the ability to translate programme objectives into actionable strategies.
Proven project management skills, including coordination of complex outputs across multiple partners and agencies.
Excellent interpersonal and relationship management abilities, with capacity to convene partners and build consensus on shared objectives.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while delivering high-quality results under tight deadlines.
Highly developed written communication skills in English, with the ability to originate, edit, and tailor complex technical and strategic content for targeted audiences.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consulting position, fluency in oral and written English is required

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.

Programme Management and Resource Mobilization Consultant