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. The consultancy will deliver targeted support across two key areas:
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.
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/special 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.