Consultant in See Level Rise and Human Rights

Organizational Context

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) seeks a consultant to address the human rights implications of sea-level rise. This role will focus on developing practical tools for OHCHR staff to provide technical assistance and capacity-building, particularly for vulnerable states and communities. The consultancy will identify OHCHR's strengths in this area.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop practical tools and resources to support OHCHR staff in addressing the human rights implications of sea-level rise. This includes providing technical assistance and capacity-building, with a focus on adaptation responses such as planned relocations and integrating Indigenous and local knowledge. The role aims to translate existing human rights standards into actionable guidance for technical cooperation, policy engagement, and program development, identifying OHCHR's specific contributions in this critical area. The outputs will assist in navigating the complex intersection of climate change, sea-level rise, and human rights.

Responsibilities

The consultant will prepare a detailed workplan and conduct a comprehensive review and mapping of existing materials on sea-level rise and human rights from OHCHR, the UN, and other relevant sources to identify gaps. A key responsibility is developing a practical, human rights-based checklist for assessing laws, policies, plans, and programs related to sea-level rise adaptation, including planned relocations and the integration of Indigenous and local knowledge. The consultant will also prepare key messages on human rights and sea-level rise adaptation and develop a briefing package with slides and talking points for OHCHR staff. Targeted consultations with OHCHR, UN agencies, and external actors will be conducted to gather feedback for final product refinement.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in human rights and the environment is required. Desired experience includes work on human rights, human mobility, disaster risk reduction, climate change, sea-level rise, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Experience with UNFCCC matters and in a multilateral environment is advantageous.

Skills

Human rights, environmental issues, climate change, sea-level rise, adaptation responses, planned relocations, Indigenous Peoples' rights, local knowledge systems, technical assistance, capacity-building, policy engagement, program development, research, analysis, consultation, communication, drafting reports and tools.

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