Result of ServiceThe assignment seeks to develop a compilation of best practices and case studies on sponge city measures, and to design a Masterclass aimed at building capacity for the effective implementation of nature-based urban risk reduction and resilience. This will be done through the development and delivery of: - (a) Compilation of Best Practices and Case Studies on existing sponge city approaches and Actionable Recommendations for implementation of sponge city measures in the African secondary cities - (b) Utilize AI-driven and Remote Sensing geospatial analysis, flood risk assessments, and hydrological modelling to evaluate existing grey, blue, and green infrastructure in selected African secondary cities, and to identify gaps and opportunities for sponge city implementation in African, secondary cities - (b) Capacity Building Package/Masterclass training module to support the implementation of the Sponge City Toolbox in the African secondary cities Work LocationHome-based with few travels Expected duration5.5 months July-Dec) Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) serves as the leading global environmental authority, setting the global environmental agenda, fostering the coherent implementation of sustainable development, and advocating for environmental protection worldwide. UNEP’s Disasters and Conflicts Branch is dedicated to mitigating environmental risks before, during, and after conflicts and disasters. Through scientific assessments, policy guidance, and capacity-building efforts, the branch helps nations build environmental resilience while integrating sustainable natural resource management into peacebuilding and recovery strategies. Working in close partnership with governments, UN agencies, and civil society, UNEP’s Disasters and Conflicts Branch strengthens post-crisis recovery, disaster risk reduction, and climate security, fostering long-term environmental sustainability in fragile and conflict-affected regions. Within this Branch, the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Unit plays a pivotal role in advancing disaster risk reduction. By leading UNEP’s contributions to the Sendai Framework, this unit promotes ecosystem-based solutions to disaster risk and actively supports urban resilience by advancing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) that reduce disaster risks while delivering additional benefits for climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development in urban areas. UNEP, through its Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Unit, is part of the Aqinile Partnership for Urban Resilience—a collaborative initiative with the African Union, UN-Habitat, UNDP and UNEP. The partnership is dedicated to supporting urban communities in Africa in reducing disaster risk, building climate resilience, and advancing sustainable urban development. As cities across the world grapple with the Triple Planetary Crisis (climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution) the integration of environmental sustainability into urban planning has become an urgent priority. African cities, in particular, face heightened disaster risks due to rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, and climate change. Many urban areas are expanding into high-risk zones, which increases their vulnerability to extreme weather events. Work Assignments & Outputs - Work Assignments: 1. A Compilation of Existing Case Studies/ Best Practices on Sponge City Measures The Consultant is expected to produce a global Compilation of Sponge City Measures that highlights good practices, common challenges, and lessons learned from past and ongoing sponge city interventions. The compilation should aim to improve understanding of how Nature-based Solutions (NbS) contribute to the sponge city approach and identify characteristics of scalable NbS typologies that enhance urban resilience—particularly in flood-prone and water-stressed environments. The document should include a diverse range of case studies, drawn from global experiences, with attention to practical applications, institutional arrangements, and enabling conditions for replication. It should also identify gaps and barriers to implementation, with a view to informing policy and planning processes. While global in scope, the compilation will serve as a key input to the Aqinile Partnership’s Sponge City Initiative in secondary cities in Africa, supporting efforts to localize and adapt successful approaches for maximum impact. 2. Actionable recommendations for implementation of Sponge City measures in African secondary cities The Consultant will analyze and summarize the key barriers and enabling conditions for scaling up Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and sponge city measures, as identified through the compilation of case studies. Particular attention should be given to assessing the relevance and adaptability of these measures—many of which have been developed in larger cities of the Global North—to the realities and constraints of secondary cities in Africa. The Consultant will identify key policies, strategies, and regulatory frameworks at regional, national, and city levels that could support the integration of sponge city approaches in African urban contexts. Based on this analysis, the Consultant is expected to develop practical recommendations for incorporating sponge city principles into local policies, planning instruments, standards, and financing mechanisms, with a view to enabling the implementation of the shortlisted measures in the compilation. To support this process, the Consultant will organize a validation workshop (modality TBD) with relevant stakeholders. This consultation will serve to review the draft recommendations, prioritize context-appropriate interventions, and ensure that the final product reflects the specific needs, opportunities, and institutional realities of secondary cities in Africa. 3. Utilize AI-driven and remote sensing geospatial analysis, flood risk assessments, and/ or hydrological modelling to evaluate existing grey, blue, and green infrastructure in selected African secondary cities, and to identify gaps and opportunities for sponge city implementation in African secondary cities The consultant is expected to undertake hydrological modelling to simulate the movement of water throughout the hydrological cycle. This will involve the use of AI, remote sensing, and GIS tools to support advanced mathematical models that accurately represent the interactions among key processes such as rainfall, runoff, infiltration, evapotranspiration, and groundwater flow. The consultant will be responsible for calibrating and validating the model using available datasets and ensuring that the outputs are reliable and suitable for decision-making purposes. As part of the engagement, the consultant is also expected to conduct detailed flood studies using the hydrological models developed. This will include assessing the magnitude and frequency of flood events, identifying flood-prone areas, and analyzing various hydrological scenarios. As a result, the consultant will carry out a flood risk assessment to systematically identify and analyze exposure and vulnerabilities, quantify associated risks, and evaluate the potential impacts of flooding. This will involve mapping flood hazards. In addition, the consultant will identify gaps in existing grey, blue, and green infrastructure and propose integrated, context-specific solutions to address these gaps in alignment with the sponge city approach. The findings from the flood risk assessment and infrastructure gap analysis will inform strategies for flood risk management and support decision-making related to land use planning, infrastructure development, and disaster preparedness through the application of Nature-based Solutions within the sponge city framework. Exact cities and their number to be determined in discussion with the Consultant. 4. Sponge City Masterclass Training Module The Consultant is expected to develop a Masterclass Training Module on sponge city measures in African secondary cities. This will help ensure training participants are provided with guidance on real world applications of the sponge city concept and have enhanced capacity on how to implement sponge city measures in secondary cities. This module will be delivered during a Training-of-Trainers, targeting city planning, architecture, engineering, environment and climate change specialist staff both at the national and city/municipal levels. The training will be presented in a PowerPoint (ppt) format and should be accompanied by a training manual with recommended reading materials and other resources. Qualifications/special skillsAt least a master’s degree in environmental engineering, Geomatics, Urban Development, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, Ecology, International Development, or a field related NbS and Ecosystem-based DRR Skills & Competencies: • Practice-research-innovation skills • Excellent project management and organizational skills • Ability to develop and implement capacity-building initiatives • Strong analytical, report-writing, and presentation skills A minimum of 8 years’ experience in the field on Urban DRR and Resilience; Experience and project references related to integration of NbS into urban infrastructure planning, design, and implementation; Proficiency in sustainable urban development principles and practices; Familiarity with environmental science and ecology with a deep understanding of NbS and their environmental impacts. Experience in working in Africa is an asset. LanguagesFluency in English (written and spoken) is required. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.