Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

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 a 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 to advance UN-REDD’s external relations and partnership mobilisation objectives in the first year of the 2026–2030 Strategy, engaging a broad range of public, private, multilateral, bilateral, and philanthropic partners.

Responsibilities or duties

The consultancy will deliver targeted support across two key areas:

1. Partnership and Donor Engagement

• Identify, analyse, and prioritise partnership and funding opportunities with governments, multilateral and bilateral organisations, philanthropic foundations, private sector actors, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Develop tailored engagement strategies for priority partners, including preparation of high-quality briefing materials, talking points, and proposals.
• Maintain awareness of shifts in donor and partner priorities, supported by high-quality briefing materials, talking points and proposals.
• Recommend and coordinate follow-up actions to consolidate and deepen relationships over time.

2. Collaboration with International Organisations and Initiatives

• Map relevant international organisations, thematic coalitions, and initiatives aligned with with UN-REDD’s mandate.
• Analyse synergies and complementarities to strengthen collaboration and collective impact.
• Propose and support concrete actions for strengthening cooperation, including co-hosted events, joint statements, or collaborative programmes.
• Prepare engagement briefs and positioning materials for meetings with key organisations and initiatives.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

EDUCATION

• An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in social sciences, political sciences, international relations, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of ten years of relevant work experience in donor relations, partnership development, and/or external relations in the context of international development, environmental issues, climate change, or humanitarian action, is required.
• Extensive experience in programme management, including strategic planning, partner engagement, and development of high-quality proposals, briefings, and outreach materials for a range of audiences, is desirable.
• Demonstrated track record in analysing donor and partner landscapes, developing tailored engagement strategies, and securing multi-year and thematic funding from diverse sources, including governments, multilateral organisations, philanthropic foundations, and private sector actors, is desirable.
• Significant experience in multi-stakeholder engagement, including with senior officials in UN agencies, governments, and international organisations, and in convening high-level events at major policy milestones (e.g., COP, UNGA, UNEA), is desirable.
• Highly developed written and editorial skills in English, with proven ability to originate, solicit, write, and edit complex technical and strategic content for targeted audiences, is desirable.
• Experience working on climate and forests with international organisations and programmes, including UN-REDD, is desirable.

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.
• Knowledge of another UN language is highly desirable.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Work Location: Home based

Expected duration: 4 months

• Identify, analyse, and prioritise partnership and funding opportunities with governments, multilateral and bilateral organisations, philanthropic foundations, private sector actors, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Develop tailored engagement strategies for priority partners, including preparation of high-quality briefing materials, talking points, and proposals.
• Maintain awareness of shifts in donor and partner priorities, supported by high-quality briefing materials, talking points and proposals.
• Recommend and coordinate follow-up actions to consolidate and deepen relationships over time.
• Map relevant international organisations, thematic coalitions, and initiatives aligned with with UN-REDD’s mandate.
• Analyse synergies and complementarities to strengthen collaboration and collective impact.
• Propose and support concrete actions for strengthening cooperation, including co-hosted events, joint statements, or collaborative programmes.
• Prepare engagement briefs and positioning materials for meetings with key organisations and initiatives.

• Donor relations
• Partnership development
• External relations
• Programme management
• Strategic planning
• Partner engagement
• Development of high-quality proposals, briefings, and outreach materials
• Analysing donor and partner landscapes
• Developing tailored engagement strategies
• Securing multi-year and thematic funding
• Multi-stakeholder engagement
• Convening high-level events
• Written and editorial skills in English
• Climate and forests expertise

• An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in social sciences, political sciences, international relations, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A minimum of ten years of relevant work experience in donor relations, partnership development, and/or external relations in the context of international development, environmental issues, climate change, or humanitarian action, is required.
• Extensive experience in programme management, including strategic planning, partner engagement, and development of high-quality proposals, briefings, and outreach materials for a range of audiences, is desirable.
• Demonstrated track record in analysing donor and partner landscapes, developing tailored engagement strategies, and securing multi-year and thematic funding from diverse sources, including governments, multilateral organisations, philanthropic foundations, and private sector actors, is desirable.
• Significant experience in multi-stakeholder engagement, including with senior officials in UN agencies, governments, and international organisations, and in convening high-level events at major policy milestones (e.g., COP, UNGA, UNEA), is desirable.
• Highly developed written and editorial skills in English, with proven ability to originate, solicit, write, and edit complex technical and strategic content for targeted audiences, is desirable.
• Experience working on climate and forests with international organisations and programmes, including UN-REDD, is desirable.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is highly desirable.