Climate Change Expert

Host entity: UN-HABITAT NPL

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Climate change, environment, Emergency preparedness, crisis response, Engineering, construction

Application deadline: 12/10/2026

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency based in Nairobi (Kenya-The Headquarter) and active in over 90 countries around the world (including Nepal). It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable cities and settlements with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat is the lead agency within the UN system for coordinating activities in the field of human settlement development, and the UN leading the collaboration with local and regional governments and their networks.

Assignment context

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency based in Nairobi (Kenya-The Headquarter) and active in over 90 countries around the world (including Nepal). It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable cities and settlements with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat is the lead agency within the UN system for coordinating activities in the field of human settlement development, and the UN leading the collaboration with local and regional governments and their networks.

Nepal is undergoing significant transformation in its human settlement patterns, driven by rapid urbanization, rural-to-urban migration, population growth, changing livelihoods, infrastructure development, and expansion of peri-urban areas. The growth of municipalities and emerging urban centres is often occurring faster than the capacity of planning institutions and infrastructure systems to manage it effectively.

At the same time, climate change is creating new and intensifying risks for human settlements across Nepal. Increasingly variable and intense rainfall, urban flooding, landslides, drought, water stress, heat, forest and ecosystem degradation, and other climate-related hazards. These impacts are particularly severe for low-income and informal settlements, hazard-prone communities, and climate-dependent households, with women, children, older people, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups facing disproportionate risks causing additional barriers to preparedness, evacuation, recovery, and access to resilient services. Weak land-use planning, inadequate drainage and sanitation, poor-quality housing, insufficient green and open spaces, infrastructure deficits, and limited municipal capacity further amplify climate vulnerability.
Nepal therefore needs an integrated approach to climate-resilient human settlements—one that connects climate-risk-informed planning with resilient housing and infrastructure, nature-based solutions, reliable basic services, ecosystem protection, stronger local governance, and inclusive community resilience.

UN-Habitat Nepal seeks to strengthen its ability to develop high-quality and competitive proposals in response to current and emerging funding opportunities, particularly those addressing the interlinkages between climate change, urbanization, human settlements, resilience, and sustainable development, supporting the transition toward safe, inclusive, climate-resilient and sustainable human settlements in Nepal.

The recent Rasuwa–Bhotekoshi flash flood of 26 August 2026, which severely affected Rasuwa and downstream areas along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli corridors, caused significant loss of life and livelihoods and extensive damage to settlements, infrastructure, and local economies. The disaster highlights the urgent need for climate-resilient settlement planning, disaster risk reduction, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable recovery and reconstruction.

In this context, UN-Habitat Nepal intends to engage an UNV Expert for three months to support the development of proposals for identified and emerging funding opportunities. The UNV expert will help translate these pressing challenges into innovative, evidence-based and fundable interventions while support in strengthening the nexus of climate change, urbanization, resilience, and sustainable human settlements.

Task description

• Prepare project proposals and concept notes aligned with requirements of the targeted donor/funding opportunity (climate change, urbanization, human settlement, planning, migration, recovery, etc.), drawing on UN-Habitat Nepal’s experience, evidence, and comparative strengths.
• Lead in data analytics, report writing, and generate evidences for tailoring solutions and priorities of interventions
• Develop knowledge products and dissemination materials for various communication platforms, by articulating stronger linkage between climate change, urbanization, and human settlement development.
• Identify scalable models and solutions that promote climate actions through an integrated approach encompassing housing, infrastructure, basic services, nature-based solutions and low-carbon development for resilient settlement planning.
• Support in organizing and facilitating national and local level events and workshops, in close coordination with the stakeholders.
• Prepare proceedings and advocacy notes, and materials required pre-during-post events.
• Undertake other related expert-level tasks on settlement planning, housing, resettlement and post-disaster recovery as required by UN-Habitat.

Skills and experience

Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Climate Change, Urban Planning or a related technical fieldMaster’s in Climate Change, Environmental Science, NRM, Urban and Human Settlement Planning, or related fields.
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience (after Masters) in the areas of climate change, urban resilience, settlement planning, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in developing successful proposals for bilateral donors, multilateral institutions, foundations, climate funds, or other development partners.
• Excellent analytical, writing (both English and Nepali), and communication skills with ability to translate complex technical issues into clear and compelling narratives.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with relevant international climate and urban development frameworks.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams).
• Experience with GIS/spatial or other analytical tools will be an advantage.
• Strong understanding of gender equality and social inclusion.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living conditions

Nepal offers a unique and enriching environment, with opportunities to work closely with government counterparts in the federal level with potential opportunities to collaborate and contribute across federal, provincial and local levels for national recovery effort. A high level of cultural and institutional awareness, flexibility, stamina and commitment will therefore be important. The ability and willingness to adapt to different working environments, including field locations where physical hardship and limited comfort may be experienced, will be essential.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.