About this role
Climate Resilience and Sustainable Resource Management
Duty Station Brussels, Belgium
Department Policies and Programmes
Contract Type Individual Consultancy
Duration September 2026 – 31 January 2027
Closing Date 24 August 2026
Reporting Line The Consultant will report to the Head of Programme Coordination and Delivery and work under the overall strategic guidance of the Assistant Secretary-General, Policies and Programmes.
1. About the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS)
The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) is an intergovernmental organisation comprising 79 Member States across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, representing more than 1.5 billion people. Guided by the Revised Georgetown Agreement, the Malabo Declaration, the PACTE Initiative and the Samoa Agreement, the Organisation promotes political dialogue, South-South and Triangular Cooperation, sustainable development and strategic partnerships to advance the collective interests of its Member States.
As part of its institutional transformation agenda, the Secretariat has established the Department of Policies and Programmes to strengthen policy leadership, programme delivery, strategic partnerships and resource mobilisation. The Department leads the Organisation's work across three strategic priorities:
• Economic Transformation and Sustainable Prosperity
• Climate Resilience and Sustainable Resource Management
• Digital Sovereignty, Innovation and Human Capital Development
Through this strategic architecture, the Department supports Member States in addressing global environmental and development challenges while advancing climate resilience, sustainable resource management and long-term sustainable prosperity.
2. Background
Climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and increasing disaster risks pose significant challenges for many OACPS Member States, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and other climate-vulnerable economies. At the same time, the transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient and resource-efficient development presents important opportunities for sustainable growth, investment and international cooperation.
The OACPS is strengthening its capacity to help Member States build climate resilience, mobilise climate finance, improve natural resource governance and advance sustainable development through integrated policies, programmes and strategic partnerships. The Department of Policies and Programmes plays a central role in translating these priorities into practical action.
To support the establishment of the Department during its initial operational phase, the Secretariat is seeking a Senior Policy and Programme Consultant to provide strategic and technical leadership for the Climate Resilience and Sustainable Resource Management portfolio. Working closely with the Assistant Secretary-General and the Head of Programme Coordination and Delivery, the Consultant will contribute to flagship initiatives, strategic partnerships and resource mobilisation that strengthen the Organisation's support to Member States.
3. Purpose of the Consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to provide senior-level strategic, technical and programme management expertise to support the establishment and operationalisation of the Climate Resilience and Sustainable Resource Management portfolio within the Department of Policies and Programmes.
The Consultant will contribute to the design and implementation of innovative policies, programmes and partnerships that strengthen climate resilience, improve environmental sustainability, enhance natural resource governance and disaster risk management, and expand access to climate finance. The assignment also includes supporting strategic partnerships, programme delivery and resource mobilisation to achieve measurable development outcomes for OACPS Member States.
4. Why Join the OACPS?
This consultancy offers an opportunity to contribute to the establishment of a new Department that will play a central role in advancing the OACPS transformation agenda and supporting climate resilience and sustainable development across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
Working directly with senior leadership, Member States and international partners, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to:
• Help shape the policy and programme direction of a newly established Department.
• Design innovative regional and international initiatives that strengthen climate resilience and environmental sustainability.
• Build strategic partnerships with governments, climate funds, multilateral organisations, development finance institutions, academia, civil society and the private sector.
• Contribute to international policy dialogue on climate resilience, biodiversity, natural resource management and disaster risk reduction.
• Leave a lasting institutional legacy by helping establish programmes, partnerships and knowledge platforms that strengthen resilience across OACPS Member States.
This assignment is suited to an experienced international development professional with strong technical expertise in climate and environmental policy and a commitment to delivering practical, long-term development impact.
5. Scope of the Assignment
The Consultant will provide strategic and technical advisory services across the Climate Resilience and Sustainable Resource Management portfolio, supporting policy development, programme implementation and institutional strengthening.
The assignment will include support in the following areas:
• Climate adaptation, resilience and climate finance.
• Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and community resilience.
• Sustainable management of natural resources, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.
• Oceans, Blue Economy initiatives, Critical Raw Materials and environmental governance.
• International environmental agreements and sustainable land and water resource management.
• Strategic partnerships, resource mobilisation, programme design, results-based management and knowledge management.
The Consultant will also contribute to cross-cutting initiatives that strengthen collaboration, innovation and institutional performance across the Department's three strategic priority areas.
6. Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Head of Programme Coordination and Delivery, the Consultant will undertake the following responsibilities:
Strategic Policy Development
• Provide strategic advice on emerging global climate, environmental and natural resource management issues affecting OACPS Member States, and prepare policy briefs, analytical reports and strategic recommendations to inform decision-making.
• Support the development of common policy positions for regional and international climate and environmental processes, drawing on global trends, multilateral commitments and emerging opportunities.
Programme Development and Delivery
• Lead the design of flagship programmes aligned with the Department's Strategic Architecture, including the preparation of programme concepts, logical frameworks, implementation plans and results frameworks.
• Provide technical support for programme implementation, performance monitoring and adaptive management to ensure the effective delivery of climate resilience and sustainable resource management initiatives.
Climate Resilience and Sustainable Resource Management
• Develop and support initiatives that strengthen climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, community resilience and sustainable natural resource management.
• Advance integrated policy and programme initiatives on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable land and water management, and environmental governance.
• Promote initiatives relating to oceans, the Blue Economy, Critical Raw Materials and sustainable resource governance that contribute to resilient and inclusive development.
• Support Member States in strengthening access to climate finance, improving environmental governance and implementing international environmental agreements.
Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation
• Develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with governments, regional organisations, climate funds, multilateral institutions, development finance institutions, research organisations, academia, civil society and the private sector.
• Support the development of cooperation frameworks, partnership initiatives and collaborative programmes that advance the Department's priorities.
• Contribute to resource mobilisation through the preparation of funding proposals, climate finance concepts, investment initiatives and donor engagement strategies.
Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning
• Produce technical guidance materials, policy products and knowledge resources that strengthen evidence-based decision-making and institutional learning.
• Promote the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, innovative practices and knowledge products across OACPS Member States.
Corporate Contributions
• Prepare briefing notes, presentations and strategic documentation for senior management.
• Represent the Department at technical meetings, consultations and partnership engagements, as delegated.
• Contribute to cross-departmental initiatives that strengthen organisational performance, collaboration and innovation.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Head of Programme Coordination and Delivery consistent with the objectives of the consultancy.
7. Deliverables and Performance Framework
The consultancy will be managed on the basis of agreed outputs and deliverables. Indicative deliverables include:
Indicative Deliverable
i. Inception workplan outlining priorities, methodology and stakeholder engagement approach
Expected Timeframe: Within two weeks of commencement
ii. Policy briefs, strategic analytical papers and technical advice on climate resilience and sustainable resource management
Expected Timeframe: Throughout the assignment
iii. Flagship programme concepts and implementation frameworks aligned with the Department's Strategic Architecture
Expected Timeframe: Months 2–3
iv. Climate finance concepts, partnership initiatives and funding proposals
Expected Timeframe: Throughout the assignment
v. Contributions to departmental work plans, reports, presentations and briefing materials
Expected Timeframe: Ongoing
vi. Final consultancy report summarising outputs, recommendations and proposed next steps
Expected Timeframe: End of assignment
The deliverables may be refined in consultation with the Head of Programme Coordination and Delivery to reflect evolving organisational priorities.
8. Reporting Arrangements
The Consultant will report directly to the Head of Programme Coordination and Delivery.
Strategic direction and oversight will be provided by the Assistant Secretary-General, Policies and Programmes.
The Consultant will work collaboratively with colleagues across the Secretariat and maintain close engagement with Member States, development partners and other stakeholders to support the effective implementation of departmental priorities.
Regular progress meetings will be held to review implementation, assess progress against agreed deliverables and identify emerging priorities.
9. Contract Details
• Contract Type: Individual Consultancy
• Duration: September 2026 – 31 January 2027
• Travel: International travel may be required in support of technical missions, regional consultations, programme implementation, partnership meetings and other departmental priorities, in accordance with OACPS policies and procedures.
• Remuneration: A competitive consultancy fee will be offered commensurate with qualifications, experience and the scope of the assignment, in accordance with OACPS consultancy policies.
10. Academic Qualifications
Applicants must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in one or more of the following disciplines:
• Climate Change
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Management
• Natural Resource Management
• Sustainable Development
• Environmental Policy
• Disaster Risk Management
• Climate Finance
• Geography
• Marine or Ocean Sciences
• Forestry
• Ecology
• International Development
• Public Policy
• or another closely related discipline.
Additional postgraduate qualifications or recognised professional certifications in climate adaptation, climate finance, environmental governance, programme management, project management or results-based management will be considered an advantage.
Candidates should demonstrate a strong academic foundation that supports strategic policy development, programme design and implementation within the fields of climate resilience, sustainable resource management and international development.
11. Professional Experience
Essential
Applicants must demonstrate:
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in climate change, environmental management, sustainable development, natural resource management, disaster risk management or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing climate resilience, environmental sustainability or natural resource management programmes.
• Experience preparing policy papers, analytical reports, strategic briefs and programme concepts.
• Proven experience working with governments, regional organisations, multilateral institutions, development partners or international organisations on climate and environmental issues.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships and supporting climate finance or broader resource mobilisation initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of results-based management, monitoring, evaluation and organisational learning.
• Excellent analytical, communication and report-writing skills.
Desirable
Experience in one or more of the following areas will be considered an advantage:
• Climate adaptation, climate resilience, climate finance and disaster risk management.
• Sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration and environmental governance.
• Oceans, Blue Economy initiatives, Critical Raw Materials and sustainable resource governance.
• Resource mobilisation, partnership development and South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
• Multilateral environmental agreements and international or intergovernmental organisations.
Experience supporting African, Caribbean and Pacific countries on climate resilience and sustainable development initiatives will be considered a distinct advantage.
12. Language Requirements
The working languages of the OACPS Secretariat are English and French.
Applicants must possess an excellent command of one working language and a working knowledge of the other.
Knowledge of Portuguese, Spanish or another official language of an OACPS Member State will be considered an advantage.
13. Core Competencies
The successful candidate should demonstrate the following competencies:
Professional Competencies
• Climate Policy Analysis
• Environmental and Natural Resource Management
• Programme Design and Implementation
• Climate Finance and Partnership Development
• Results-Based Management
• Resource Mobilisation
Leadership Competencies
• Strategic Thinking
• Innovation
• Sound Judgement
• Accountability
• Integrity
Interpersonal Competencies
• Communication
• Negotiation and Influencing
• Relationship Management
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
14. Travel Requirements
International travel may be required in support of technical missions, regional consultations, programme implementation, partnership meetings and other official departmental activities, in accordance with OACPS policies and procedures.
15. Eligibility
This consultancy is open exclusively to nationals of Member States of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
Applicants must be citizens of an OACPS Member State and may be required to provide documentary evidence of nationality prior to appointment.
16. Evaluation and Selection
Applications will be evaluated on the basis of:
• Academic qualifications.
• Relevant professional experience.
• Technical knowledge and competencies.
• Quality and relevance of previous experience.
• Interview, where applicable.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
17. Application Requirements
Interested applicants should submit:
• A cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining their suitability for the consultancy.
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• Contact details of three professional referees.
• Copies of relevant academic qualifications and professional certifications.
Closing Date: 23:59 Central European Time on 24 August 2026
Late applications will not be considered.
18. Conflict of Interest
Applicants must disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest that could affect the impartial performance of the assignment.
The successful Consultant will be expected to avoid any activity that may give rise to a conflict of interest throughout the duration of the consultancy.
19. Confidentiality
All documents, information and materials produced or accessed during the consultancy shall remain the property of the OACPS and shall be treated as confidential.
The Consultant shall not disclose or use such information for any purpose other than the performance of the assignment without the prior written authorisation of the OACPS.
20. Reservation of Rights
The OACPS reserves the right to:
• Amend, suspend or cancel this Call for Expressions of Interest at any stage of the recruitment process.
• Make no appointment, appoint one or more candidates, or establish a roster of qualified consultants for future assignments.
• Verify information provided by applicants and request additional documentation where necessary.
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The OACPS is committed to merit-based recruitment and equal opportunity and encourages applications from suitably qualified women and men from across its Member States