Stakeholder and Partnership Consultant
Organizational Context
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Panama City, Panama, supports 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The office promotes the environmental dimension of sustainable development, aligning with the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement, and national climate action plans (NDCs and NAPs). This role supports the Ministry of the Environment and UNEP in implementing a Green Climate Fund project.
Job Purpose
The Stakeholder and Partnership Consultant will foster and operationalize strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement mechanisms to support the effective implementation of Panama’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This role involves assessing existing structures, identifying gaps, and developing strategies to strengthen multi-sectoral governance and coordination. The consultant will ensure stakeholder engagement adheres to social safeguards, integrates gender considerations, and applies participatory approaches. The position aims to enhance institutional capacities and knowledge exchange, enabling stakeholders to better integrate climate adaptation priorities into national and sectoral planning and decision-making processes, ultimately contributing to the Green Climate Fund-funded project's success.
Responsibilities
The consultant will collaborate in coordinating synergies with key actors and maintain communication channels among the NDA, Implementing Entity, UNEP, and the PMU. Responsibilities include strategic and operational planning, coordination, and organization of meetings, workshops, training sessions, events, field visits, consultations, and communication activities involving diverse stakeholders. The role requires undertaking follow-up actions to ensure project outputs, integrating gender considerations and social safeguards. Additionally, the consultant will provide technical input on partnership platforms, ensure the technical quality of project outputs, identify gaps in existing partnerships and propose strategies for reduction, and identify new stakeholders to enhance country ownership. Technical support will be provided for developing and disseminating adaptation policy briefs tailored to various stakeholder groups.
Work Experience
A minimum of two years of relevant experience in social policies, climate change, social assessments and safeguards, stakeholder engagement, sustainable development, or environmental and social governance is required. Experience in climate change adaptation policies and programs, operational tasks, and knowledge of climate change adaptation/natural resource management in Panama is desirable. Experience in developing communication strategies, organizing project activities, and preparing reports or policy briefs is also beneficial.
Skills
Strong knowledge of stakeholder analysis and mapping techniques. Good stakeholder engagement skills. Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders. Good knowledge of government settings/functions. Initiative, tact, and high sense of responsibility. Excellent interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work cross-functionally. Ability to lead operational planning and budgeting. Ability to synthesize program performance data. Fluency in Spanish is required; English proficiency is desirable.