**Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)**
A (least hardship)
**Family Type (not applicable for home-based)**
Family
**Staff Member / Affiliate Type**
CONS Local
**Target Start Date**
2025-05-01
**Deadline for Applications**
April 25, 2025
**Terms of Reference**
Purpose of project (summary):
The individual consultant will support the Refugee Environmental Protection (REP) Fund initiative in Brazil. Reporting jointly to the Deputy Representative in Brazil and the REP Fund Manager, the consultant will focus on facilitating collaboration with key stakeholders, developing actionable frameworks for carbon-financed projects, and ensuring the feasibility studies and project strategies are tailored to Brazil’s unique context. The consultant’s contributions will also position the REP Fund strategically for the upcoming COP30 in Belem, supporting innovative and sustainable climate solutions in displacement settings.
Duration and dates of the contract: 10 months
From: 01 May 2025 To: 31 December 2025 (possible extension until 31 January 2026)
Position Location (duty station): Brazil - Brasilia
General Background of Project or Assignment, Operational Context:
Background:
UNHCR seeks a dedicated Regional Carbon and Environmental Impact Consultant to support the Refugee Environmental Protection (REP) Fund and related initiatives. Reporting jointly to the REP Fund Project Manager and the Deputy Representative in Brazil, the consultant will oversee and coordinate key activities, including managing REP feasibility studies, extracting lessons learned, and supporting strategic initiatives within Brazil and at the regional level.
The REP Fund is an innovative financing mechanism designed to scale up impactful reforestation and clean cooking programs in climate-vulnerable refugee-hosting communities worldwide. By investing in these programs, the Fund aims to mitigate environmental degradation, enhance resilience to climate change, and create sustainable economic opportunities for forcibly displaced persons (FDPs) and host communities. The initiative also links these communities to global carbon markets by generating certified carbon credits, empowering them to reinvest in local programs while contributing to global climate goals.
In Brazil, the REP Fund focuses on high-priority areas severely impacted by deforestation, illegal mining, and environmental degradation. The state hosts large numbers of refugees and migrants, including Indigenous Peoples displaced by environmental and socio-economic challenges.
As Brazil prepares to host COP30, this role also involves contributing to broader climate and environmental initiatives at the national and regional levels, supporting the Brazil Country Office and the Regional Bureau in advancing UNHCR’s climate action agenda.
Purpose and Scope of assignment
The Consultant will be responsible for:
- REP Fund coordination:
- Monitor and enable the feasibility study process with external partners, including the contracted company conducting the feasibility study, indigenous organizations in the study area, the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI), key Justice System actors (Federal Public Prosecution and Federal Public Defender's Office), ensuring alignment with project objectives and compliance with relevant standards (e.g., ILO 169).
- Provide regular updates on the progress of the feasibility study to the REP Fund Manager and the Deputy Representative in Brazil.
- Synthesize findings and produce reports to inform strategy and decision-making for the REP Fund and to inform strategic recommendations for Brazil Country Office on how to operationalize the study.
- Stakeholder Engagement:
- Maintaining culturally sensitive communication channels with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) at all stages of the process, establishing a clear and transparent dialogue with reliable information.
- Facilitate consultations with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), in accordance with the methodologies and procedures established by the communities themselves, ensuring their active participation and alignment with project goals.
- Build partnerships with local and international stakeholders to support implementation and scalability of environmental programs.
- Present the results of the feasibility study to the communities and design jointly with them an implementation plan, if applicable.
- Support for broader initiatives:
- Collaborate with the Brazil Country Office and Regional Bureau to support additional climate and environmental initiatives.
- Contribute to capacity building and regional knowledge sharing on environmental programming.
- Capacity building and knowledge sharing:
- Develop training materials and deliver workshops for staff and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) on environmental resilience and carbon credit-financed programs.
- Support Brazil Country Office staff in integrating climate and environmental consider