Consultant on social protection and climate change

Organizational Context

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), a regional commission of the UN Secretariat, focuses on sustainable socioeconomic transformation. This consultancy role operates within the Sustainable Socioeconomic Transformation Section, contributing to the CRISP initiative by developing knowledge products for Fiji to assess and strengthen climate-resilient social protection systems.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to deliver country-specific knowledge products for Fiji under the CRISP initiative, focusing on climate-resilient and inclusive social protection. The role will provide an evidence-based assessment of social protection system performance against climate-related risks and identify actionable pathways for strengthening these systems. The ultimate goal is to support national decision-making by producing analytically robust, policy-relevant, and action-oriented outputs that highlight system gaps, reform options, and institutional roles. Additionally, the consultancy will contribute to regional knowledge by generating lessons and approaches applicable to other ESCAP member states, thereby enhancing capacity for integrating social protection and climate change policies.

Responsibilities

The consultant will deliver country-specific knowledge products for Fiji, guided by the Conceptual Framework on Climate Resilient and Inclusive Social Protection. This involves assessing social protection system performance concerning climate-related risks to livelihoods and income security. Key duties include identifying actionable pathways for strengthening adaptive, climate-resilient, and inclusive social protection systems. The role requires producing analytically robust, policy-relevant, and action-oriented outputs that detail system-level gaps, practical reform options, and clear institutional roles. The consultant will also contribute to regional knowledge generation under the CRISP initiative by documenting lessons and approaches for potential replication in other ESCAP member states, thereby enhancing policy integration and cross-sectoral coordination.

Work Experience

A minimum of 10 years of work experience in a development context is required. This experience should include authoring reports and publications relevant to social protection, employment, and shock-responsive social protection. Demonstrated expertise in research methodology is also necessary. Experience advising governments, particularly in Fiji, on climate change and/or social protection, and working with international organizations is desirable.

Skills

Expertise in social protection and climate change; Research methodology; Report writing and authoring publications; Advising governments; International organization collaboration; Excellent English speaking and drafting skills.

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