UNEP Opens Consultancy Opportunity for Social Enterprise and Gender Inclusion in Climate Action

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is offering an impactful consultancy opportunity for a Social Enterprise and Gender Inclusion Consultant under its Climate Change Division. This home-based consultancy supports the globally recognized EmPower: Women for Climate-Resilient Societies Programme, which focuses on strengthening gender equality, renewable energy solutions, and climate resilience across the Asia-Pacific region.

This short-term consultancy presents a unique opportunity for professionals working at the intersection of climate change, social enterprise development, and gender equality to contribute to sustainable development initiatives led by one of the world’s leading environmental authorities.

About the UNEP Climate Programme

UNEP plays a vital role in shaping the global environmental agenda by promoting sustainable development and climate action. Through its Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, UNEP supports environmental solutions across 41 countries by working closely with governments, private sector stakeholders, civil society organizations, and international partners.

The consultancy operates under the EmPower Programme, a collaborative initiative led by UNEP and UN Women. The programme focuses on integrating gender equality and human rights into climate change policies, renewable energy development, and disaster risk reduction strategies.

Over the past eight years, the EmPower programme has successfully:

• Created alternative climate-resilient livelihoods for vulnerable communities
• Promoted renewable energy solutions that reduce carbon emissions
• Strengthened women’s leadership in environmental governance
• Supported regional and national commitments toward gender-responsive climate policies

The current phase of the programme, running from 2023 to 2027, aims to expand these achievements and scale innovative climate resilience initiatives.

Key Responsibilities of the Consultant

The Social Enterprise and Gender Inclusion Consultant will work under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer within the Climate Change Division. The consultant will contribute to strengthening gender-responsive climate initiatives and promoting inclusive renewable energy entrepreneurship.

Major responsibilities include:

• Enhancing knowledge and technical skills among climate change, climate finance, and renewable energy stakeholders related to gender equality and human rights
• Connecting women entrepreneurs and marginalized groups with renewable energy business opportunities
• Supporting the development of innovative initiatives that promote inclusive climate-resilient livelihoods
• Documenting emerging opportunities and lessons learned for future programme expansion

The consultant’s performance will be measured based on the quality, effectiveness, and timely completion of deliverables evaluated by UNEP.

Programme Impact and Strategic Objectives

The consultancy contributes to three major programme outcomes across the Asia-Pacific region:

1. Strengthening gender-responsive climate adaptation and mitigation efforts
2. Increasing representation of women and marginalized groups in climate and disaster risk reduction decision-making
3. Expanding climate-resilient economic opportunities for women and vulnerable communities

By supporting these objectives, the consultancy plays a crucial role in advancing inclusive environmental governance and sustainable economic development.

Eligibility and Skills Requirements

The consultancy requires fluency in English, while knowledge of another official United Nations language is considered an advantage. Candidates are expected to possess expertise in climate change, gender equality, renewable energy development, or social enterprise support, along with experience working with multi-stakeholder international programmes.

Why This Consultancy Matters

Climate change continues to disproportionately affect women and marginalized populations worldwide. By promoting gender-inclusive renewable energy entrepreneurship and climate finance access, this consultancy helps ensure that climate solutions are both equitable and sustainable.

Professionals engaged in gender-responsive development, environmental sustainability, and social enterprise innovation will find this consultancy particularly valuable for expanding their global development experience and contributing to meaningful environmental impact.

Conclusion

The UNEP Social Enterprise and Gender Inclusion Consultant role represents an important opportunity to support gender equality, renewable energy expansion, and climate resilience across Asia-Pacific communities. Through collaborative partnerships and inclusive policy development, this consultancy contributes to building sustainable societies that empower women and marginalized groups while addressing urgent environmental challenges.