UNESCO Senior Consultant – Adaptation Fund Proposal: Fully Remote Climate Consultancy | Apply by September 28, 2026
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is inviting applications from experienced professionals for a Senior Consultant position focused on developing an Adaptation Fund proposal on coastal prediction and ocean observing. This is a fully remote, global consultancy for an experienced climate, ocean and environmental professional with a strong background in climate finance and proposal development.
The five-month consultancy will support climate adaptation and coastal resilience initiatives across the Caribbean and Western Pacific. The selected consultant will work with UNESCO, the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), CoastPredict, government agencies, scientific institutions and other international partners.
Job Title: Senior Consultant – Development of an Adaptation Fund Proposal
Location: Remote/Global
Contract: Individual Consultant, 5 months, full-time
Deadline: September 28, 2026, at 17:00 Paris time
Application Email: o.titorchuk@unesco.org
About the UNESCO Consultancy
The consultancy is designed to support the preparation of a high-quality proposal for submission to the Adaptation Fund. The proposed initiative focuses on strengthening coastal prediction systems, ocean observing infrastructure and ocean and coastal information services.
The work will contribute to climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and sustainable coastal management in the Caribbean and Western Pacific. It will also help strengthen institutional capacity for developing future climate finance proposals.
The consultant will coordinate with multiple stakeholders, including UNESCO, IOC-UNESCO, GOOS, CoastPredict, Member State representatives, scientific institutions and relevant international organisations.
Key Responsibilities
The Senior Consultant will lead the development of a submission-ready Adaptation Fund proposal. Responsibilities will include reviewing existing documentation, preparing proposal materials, coordinating consultations and developing the implementation and budget framework.
The consultant will also ensure that the proposal aligns with relevant GOOS frameworks and supports the work of IOC Subcommissions and Member States.
Other responsibilities include preparing capacity assessments, sample International Partner Agreements, supporting stakeholder engagement and ensuring that budgets meet relevant donor and UNESCO requirements.
The consultant will regularly brief and report to senior leadership, including the GOOS Director and IOC Executive Secretary.
A major part of the assignment will also involve institutional learning. The consultant will prepare a Proposal Development Guide, a Lessons Learned and Legacy Report, and materials for a knowledge-sharing workshop.
Five-Month Consultancy and Deliverables
The consultancy will run for five months, with deliverables spread across the contract period.
During the first month, the consultant will prepare an inception report, methodology, detailed workplan, stakeholder engagement plan and initial project framework and climate rationale.
The second month will focus on producing the first complete draft of the Adaptation Fund proposal.
During the third month, the consultant will revise the proposal based on feedback while continuing stakeholder engagement and alignment with GOOS frameworks.
The fourth month will focus on completing the final submission-ready proposal and supporting annexes. The proposal is expected to meet a January 2027 submission deadline.
In the fifth month, the consultant will produce the Proposal Development Guide, Lessons Learned and Legacy Report, conduct a knowledge-transfer workshop and submit the final progress report.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is aimed at highly experienced professionals with an advanced university degree in oceanography, marine science, Earth system science, marine technology, environmental science or a related discipline.
Applicants should have at least 10 years of professional experience in climate adaptation, coastal resilience, ocean observing or climate services.
Strong candidates should also have experience preparing successful proposals for climate finance mechanisms such as the Adaptation Fund, Green Climate Fund or Global Environment Facility. Experience developing proposals for United Nations organisations is also required.
Additional skills include climate risk assessment, adaptation planning, results-based management, environmental and social safeguards and gender integration.
Excellent technical writing, analytical, facilitation, stakeholder engagement and project management skills are essential. Candidates must also be able to turn complex scientific information into clear, investment-ready proposals.
Remote Work and Payment
The position is fully remote and requires full-time engagement for five months. The consultant may be required to travel when necessary, with authorised travel costs covered according to UNESCO policies.
The consultant will work using their own laptop, software, phone, workspace and reliable internet connection.
Payment will be made in five equal instalments, with 20% paid following the successful completion and approval of each month’s deliverables. Applicants must quote their financial proposal in US dollars or euros.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a technical proposal and financial proposal by September 28, 2026, at 17:00 Paris time.
The technical proposal should include an updated CV, motivation letter, proposed approach and methodology, workplan and any comments on the Terms of Reference.
The financial proposal should clearly state the proposed fee for the five-month assignment in US dollars or euros.
All documents must be submitted in English or French, in PDF or Word format. Documents should be attached directly to the email, and submissions through Google Drive, WeTransfer or other cloud-storage links will not be accepted. The total email submission should not exceed 5MB.
Application Email: o.titorchuk@unesco.org
Reference: IOC/OOS/IC/090/26
Deadline: September 28, 2026, at 17:00 Paris time
Conclusion
This UNESCO consultancy offers an opportunity for an experienced climate and ocean professional to contribute to a major international climate adaptation initiative. The successful consultant will combine scientific expertise, climate finance knowledge, proposal development and stakeholder coordination to support coastal resilience across the Caribbean and Western Pacific.
Professionals with the required experience are encouraged to prepare their technical and financial proposals early and submit their applications before the deadline.
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