Local Consultant, Bangkok, Thailand

Organizational Context

The UN Secretariat's Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is implementing the Integrated Urban Climate Action for Low-Carbon and Resilient Cities (Urban-Act) project. This project aims to strengthen multi-level climate governance and enhance city governments' capacity for climate change dialogue and implementation. The role is based in Bangkok, Thailand, supporting urban climate action in the Asia-Pacific region.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this role is to support the Urban-Act project in Thailand by strengthening multi-level climate governance and enhancing the capacity of city governments to engage in climate change dialogue and implementation. The consultant will contribute to developing bankable projects, piloting ESCAP's Project Preparation Tool, and conducting national and sub-national Enabling Framework Conditions (EFC) assessments. This work aims to create a more coherent, inclusive, and investment-ready environment for urban climate action in Thailand, aligning with sustainable development goals and national climate commitments. The role involves research, data collection, stakeholder engagement, and report development to identify gaps and opportunities for climate finance mobilization.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include co-delivering climate finance training with Chulalongkorn University and GIZ, and piloting the ESCAP Project Preparation Tool with Thai cities. The consultant will conduct desk and primary research for national and sub-national EFC assessments, including data collection through interviews and consultations. This involves identifying capacity building gaps, facilitating stakeholder workshops, and validating data. The role also entails developing indicators for assessing enabling conditions, contributing to knowledge sharing, and documenting project progress. The consultant will support the drafting of the EFC reports for Thailand (national level) and Hat Yai (sub-national level), including developing a roadmap for implementation based on identified gaps and recommendations.

Work Experience

Requires at least 10 years of experience in sustainable development-related research and technical assistance. Demonstrated experience and publication history working with governments in the region on sustainability, infrastructure, and urban planning studies is necessary. Experience with Thailand's climate plans and policies, and specifically working in Thailand (especially the southern region) on sustainable development and urban planning, is highly advantageous.

Skills

Skills include research on climate change policies and guidelines, data systematization, stakeholder consultation, workshop facilitation, primary and secondary data collection and analysis, and report drafting. Proficiency in English and Thai is essential. Experience in sustainable development, urban planning, and climate finance is also crucial.

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