About InterAction

InterAction is the largest alliance of international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the U.S., with over 190 members working in every developing country. Members are large and small, faith-based and secular, with a focus on the world’s most poor and vulnerable populations. The U.S. public, foundations and governments support the work of our members who collectively invest and manage over $18 billion a year. InterAction’s own funds come from dues and generous grants from others, such as foundations, corporations, and governments. Using its collective voice, InterAction seeks to shape important policy decisions as wide range of foreign assistance, relief, development, environmental and other issues that advance human dignity. To learn more about InterAction's mission, DEI approach, values and more visit the link: https://www.interaction.org/about-interaction/interactions-approach-to-diversity-equity-inclusion/

Background

InterAction is soliciting Expression of Interest (EOI) from a (Senior) Consultant for Climate and Environmental Impacts to support its Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements and Climate Mainstreaming work stream within the Humanitarian Policy and Practice (HPP) Team.

Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements (S&S) assistance strives to provide safe, dignified, and appropriate living spaces and related settlements interventions to meet the most basic needs of conflict and disaster-affected and displaced populations. The S&S work at InterAction provides a platform to support and improve the collaboration, capacity, practices, and policies of InterAction Members and other stakeholders.

While humanitarian organizations have increasingly developed their understanding and programming in response to human-induced climate change impacts, most of the work happens at an individual organizational level. Other initiatives have focused on measuring the specific carbon footprint of operations, materials, and logistics at organization level operations.

InterAction believes that a better collective understanding of common threats and challenges and their implications for operations at the field level would help develop institutional learning and better-informed short- and long-term strategies. To better understand the implications for organizations, we need insight into both the global and field-level challenges, especially in the most vulnerable settlements.

While the primary interlocuter for understanding operational level practice will be the Shelter & Settlements Working Group (SSWG), the Senior Consultant will work closely with InterAction’s Climate Mainstreaming Working Group (CMWG). The focus of the CMWG is understanding the impacts that climate change has on our Members’ work and advancing the mainstreaming of climate and environmental considerations into all stages, global and operational, of our work.

This position will support the S&S and climate mainstreaming teams as they seek to develop a better understanding of climate change adaptation and mainstreaming measures, environmental sustainability, and risk management in humanitarian operations, with a focus on communities in most vulnerable settlements.

The Consultant will begin this new initiative but eventually will report to InterAction’s Program Manager for Climate and Environmental Impacts (under recruitment).

Key Responsibilities

· Become familiar with the broader humanitarian assistance modalities, operational-level climate-induced vulnerabilities, and their impacts on humanitarian operations; keep up to date on crisis-affected country contexts; and understand how Members’ overarching challenges in providing humanitarian assistance are worsened by heightened hazards.

· Support and manage flexible convening platforms to bring together members of various InterAction working groups and hold Member consultations.

· Based on Member consultations, draft a work plan to identify humanitarian operational challenges due to climate and environmental impacts to better understand and address issues faced by communities at the frontline.

· In consultation with stakeholders, identify and define clear and practical end-products or outcomes that are most useful for InterAction Members, donors, and advocates.

· Carry out the required research, peer review and consultation process.

· With support from InterAction staff, organize and facilitate expert panels and sessions on climate mainstreaming, climate adaptation, urbanization, and shelter and settlements.

· Draft and publish conference recommendations to improve the understanding of climate change adaptation and mainstreaming measures, environmental sustainability, and risk management in humanitarian operations.

· Oversee country-level consultants (up to 2) and provide clear terms of reference and deliverables and ensure coherence between their work.

· Support, host and facilitate special sessions at regional shelter forums, or similar events, on climate change adaptation and mainstreaming measures, environmental sustainability, and risk management in humanitarian operations, with a focus on most vulnerable settlements.

· Liaise with UN Clusters and partners, UN agencies, country clusters, national organizations, and academic institutions, as required.

The Senior Consultant may be required to liaise with other humanitarian team members at InterAction.

Qualifications

· Minimum of a master’s degree with significant academic or professional focus on climate/environmental, humanitarian, or Shelter and Settlements issues.

· Minimum 10 years of professional experience in a relevant field in humanitarian or development programs, preferably in Global South programs. Significant experience should be in climate change, environment, DRR, or disaster resilience related fields. Ability to understand global discussions on climate/environment and the humanitarian implications.

· Field experience in humanitarian response, with links to climate adaptation, disaster resilience, disaster risk reduction, or environmental issues is highly desired.

· Excellent writing and analytical skills, including ability to analyze and synthesize reports and data independently.

· Second language skills such as French, Arabic or Spanish are a plus.

· Good understanding of internal displacement, vulnerable settlements, and urbanization.

· Keen interest in the humanitarian shelter and housing sector.

· Familiarity with humanitarian related work, NGO system, or UN frameworks.

· Strong organization, coordination, and project management skills. Ability to prioritize, multi-task, adapt, and manage time effectively.

· Must enjoy working as part of a team and facilitating cross-team collaboration.

· Experience participating in NGO coordination, coalitions or building networks.

· Experience working with multicultural and multilingual teams.

· Commitment to InterAction’s mission and values.

· Minimal local or international travel may be required to organize and facilitate consultations.

Position Title, Type and Location

Senior Consultant – Climate and Environmental Impacts; Remote (occasional travel may needed)

The expected duration is about 70 days subject to negotiation based on the final agreed TOR.

This position is conditional on funding and currently expected October 2022 to September 2023. Rates per day will depend on consultant’s experience, TOR, and deliverables.

Application Interested consultants should send the following documents to jobs@interaction.org, with a copy to jking@interaction.org, indicating “Climate Adaptation and Mainstreaming in S&S Consultancy” in the subject line by September 30, 2022. Only finalists will be contacted. Applications will be reviewed as received until the position is filled. Interviews may be conducted with qualified candidates prior to the deadline.

· Company profile or individual resume with contact detail, background (highlighting specific experience humanitarian assistance) and qualifications (see above) as it pertains to the objectives of the work, relevant credentials, and any relevant partnering agreements.

· Suggested outline and overview describing the proposed methodology and approach.

· Links to prior work samples.

· Detailed cost proposal with appropriate breakdown per day.

Questions/Comments: Please send your initial inquiries related to the consultancy via email to shelter@interaction.org with a copy to jking@interaction.org by September 15, 2022.