Overview
Announcement for Consultancy (Consultant)
Consultant to support work on technical paper on enhancing observer engagement under SBI Arrangements
for Intergovernmental Meetings
Communications & Engagement Division
Deadline Announcement Expected date Duration of Duty Station
for application number for entry on duty appointment
04 October 2026 26/CON10/C&E As soon as possible 7 months (October Bonn/Remotely
2026- May 2027) with
23:59 hrs CET up to a total of
152.25 days
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the focus of the political process
to address climate change. The UNFCCC secretariat supports the Convention, its Kyoto Protocol and the Paris
Agreement through a range of activities, including substantive and organizational support to meetings of the
Parties and the implementation of commitments. It is a dynamic organization working in a politically challenging
environment to help resolve one of the defining environmental issues of our time.
The Communications and Engagement Division is leading in the development and effective implementation of
innovative approaches to enhance the engagement of observer organizations in the UNFCCC intergovernmental
process. The Observer Relations Team is responsible for, inter alia, the admission of new observer organizations,
the management of observer participation and meaningful engagement in the UNFCCC process – both
intersessionally and in-session.
The increasing number of admitted observer organizations has been a long-standing issue for the UNFCCC
process. Combined with the absence of a formal mechanism to review admission status, this growth has
intensified operational, physical and logistical challenges, including those related to facilitating meaningful
observer engagement. By the end of 2025, the total number of admitted observer organizations had reached
4,081.1 The secretariat has consistently brought these challenges to the attention of Parties under the SBI
agenda item on Arrangements for Intergovernmental Meetings (AIM), seeking guidance on possible ways
forward.
At SB 64, the SBI under the agenda item on AIM took note of the large number of applications for admission, and
the significantly increasing number of organizations admitted as observers to the UNFCCC process and noted
the associated physical and logistical challenges. It invited Parties and observer organizations to submit via the
FCCC/SBI/2026/4, para. 32.
submission portal by 31 March 2027 views on ways to urgently address the aforementioned challenges, taking
into consideration the need for regional balance and diversity among observer organizations participating in the
UNFCCC process.
Consequently, the SBI requested the secretariat to prepare a paper, informed by the submissions from Parties
and observer organizations on this matter, outlining options for addressing the aforementioned challenges.
Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy is to support the secretariat in the preparation of a paper for consideration by
the SBI at its sixty-sixth session (SBI 66), in response to the SBI mandate to outline options for addressing the
logistical and physical challenges associated with the increasing number of applications for admission and
observer organizations admitted to the UNFCCC process, taking into consideration the need for regional balance
and diversity among observer organizations participating in the UNFCCC process.
Under the overall supervision of the Programme Officer in the Observer Relations Team within the Climate Action
and Engagement Unit in Engagement Sub-Division, to inform the paper, the consultant will undertake a
comprehensive information-gathering and research exercise on identification of challenges and
recommendations to address them, including analysis of submissions from Parties and observer organizations,
review of relevant practices in other multilateral processes not limited to the United Nations and intergovernmental
processes, examination of relevant academic and policy literature, stakeholder consultations and interviews, and
identification of additional options and good practices to support the development of evidence-based
recommendations.
Tasks
Under the overall supervision of the Programme Officer in the Observer Relations Team within the Climate Action
and Engagement Unit in Engagement Sub-Division, the consultant will in particular support the following areas:
a. Conducting research and information gathering to inform the SBI 66 paper
• Identify in details the operational, physical and logistical challenges associated with the increasing
number of applications for admission and observer organizations admitted to the UNFCCC process,
based on the UNFCCC information materials, interviews with stakeholders and desk reviews.
• Undertake desk research on relevant practices, policies and procedures related to modes of observer
engagement, accreditation, admission and level of openness, inclusiveness, trust and transparency in
other United Nations organizations, other intergovernmental processes and other multilateral
conferences such as G20 in order to prepare guiding questions to conduct interviews with relevant
multilateral processes to understand who is facing similar challenges of observer engagement as
UNFCCC and how they are addressing those challenges.
• Review relevant academic literature, policy papers and other published research to identify existing
analyses and innovative approaches relevant to addressing the identified challenges.
• Design and administer surveys, questionnaires or other information-gathering tools, as appropriate, to
collect information from observers participating in the UNFCCC process on observer engagement
practices, participation models and lessons learned.
• Conduct interviews and consultations with stakeholders, including Focal Points of NGO Constituencies
and Informal Groups, as agreed with the secretariat, to gather additional information, perspectives and
good practices.
• Review and analyse submissions received from Parties and observer organizations in response to the
SBI mandate on addressing the challenges associated with the increasing number of applications for
admission and observer organizations admitted to the UNFCCC process and the associated physical
and logistical challenges.
• Identify and document findings, trends, challenges and potential options arising from the information-
gathering exercise.
b. Developing options to address challenges related to observer participation
• Analyse the evidence gathered through submissions, research and interviews and consultations.
• Identify new ideas that fill the gap and assess options, .
• their advantages, limitations and potential implications of identified options, taking into consideration the
need for regional balance and diversity among observer organizations participating in the UNFCCC
process and other guidance from Parties.
• Organize brainstorming workshops with key stakeholders to validate some of the recommendations as
needed.
• Develop evidence-based proposals and recommendations for inclusion in the SBI technical paper.
c. Supporting the preparation of the technical paper for SBI 66
• Prepare an annotated outline and workplan for the paper.
• Draft the paper in accordance with the SBI mandate and the secretariat's guidance.
• Revise successive drafts based on comments and feedback from the secretariat.
• Finalize the paper for consideration by SBI 66.
Outputs
Output Date Performance indicators
Inception report, including detailed 30 September 2027 • Timeliness, quality of outputs
workplan, research methodology and
proposed information-gathering
approach
Research and information- 30 November 2027 • Timeliness, quality and
gathering package comprising a comprehensiveness of research
comparative review of observer
engagement practices across
relevant international organizations,
survey instruments, interview guides,
and a summary of preliminary
findings
Draft technical report with a 28 February 2027 • Timeliness, quality of the draft and
proposed bone structure and completeness of analysis
elements of issues and possible
recommendations based on the
findings from the comparative
research and stakeholder
consultations, together with an
annotated outline fo the paper
Analysis of submissions received 7 April 2027 (pending • Timeliness, quality and
from Parties and observer Docs process) completeness of analysis
organizations, integrated into the
draft technical report, outlining
options to address the challenges
Finalization of the technical paper, 20 April 2027 (pending • Timeliness, quality of outputs
incorporating comments from the Docs process)
secretariat
Timeframe
The duration of the assignment is seven months, from 1 October 2026 to 30 May 2027, with up to a total of
152.25 working days.
The consultant can work in office or remotely depending on circumstances.
Requirements
The consultant shall have the following competencies and qualifications:
• Education: Advanced level degree (MA) in natural sciences, environmental studies, international relations,
law, economics, social sciences or related discipline;
• Experience: At least five years of relevant experience in the UNFCCC process and other UN processes,
specifically on stakeholder engagement. Experience conducting policy research, comparative institutional
analysis and preparing analytical or policy papers is required. Experience designing and implementing
surveys, stakeholder consultations or other qualitative research methodologies is required.
• Skills:
o Excellent analytical and research skills, including the ability to synthesize information from multiple
sources and develop evidence-based recommendations.
o Excellent drafting and written communication skills, with demonstrated experience preparing high-
quality analytical or policy papers.
o Strong qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis skills.
o Demonstrated ability to design and conduct surveys, stakeholder consultations and interviews.
o Strong organizational, planning and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple
tasks and deliver high-quality outputs within tight deadlines.
o Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with
diverse stakeholders in a multicultural environment.
• Language requirements: Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another United
Nations official language is desirable.
How to apply
Candidates, whose qualifications and experience match what we are looking for, should use the on-line
application system available at http://unfccc.int/secretariat/employment/recruitment
Please note
1. UNFCCC is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates,
irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities to
apply.
2. We will confirm receipt of your application. However, only candidates under serious consideration and
contacted for an interview will receive notice of the final outcome of the selection process.