Technical Assistance Consultant (Namibia), Santiago Network

Technical Assistance Consultant (Namibia), Santiago Network UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services Remote | Home Based - May require travel National LICA 11 level Speaks English Application deadline: March 27, 2026 Closed Apply Summary by Impactpool The Technical Assistance Consultant will support the Santiago Network by developing a framework for an integrated multi-hazard early warning system in Namibia, addressing the country's vulnerabilities to climate change. This role involves providing expert advice, conducting needs assessments, and leading the validation of the framework. The consultant will also create training materials and ensure alignment with the Santiago Network's guidelines. This position offers an opportunity to enhance community resilience against climate-related disasters. Candidate Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in relevant field 7 years of experience with advanced degree or 9 years with first-level degree Experience in technical assistance for climate action Knowledge of early warning systems in African states Fluency in English General Information Publication for Hosted Entity Entity Name Santiago Network Position Title Technical Assistance Consultant (Namibia), Santiago Network Job Category Programme Duty Station(s) Home based Seniority Level Senior Level ICS Level ICS 11 Contract Type ICA - LICA - Specialist - Retainer Contract Level LICA 11 Posting Start Date 27-Feb-2026 Posting End Date 27-Mar-2026 Duration Short-term assignment Job Highlight This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the Santiago Network by providing technical assistance to Namibia, a country highly vulnerable to climate change impacts. The position offers a chance to shape the development of an integrated multi-hazard early warning system framework, contributing to increased resilience and reduced loss and damage in the face of climate-related disasters. Job Specific Context Santiago Network The Santiago Network was established under the Warsaw International Mechanism for loss and damage (WIM) in 2019 as a mechanism to catalyse technical assistance (by relevant organizations, bodies, networks, and experts, or OBNEs), to avert, minimize and address loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change at the local, national, and regional level. The technical assistance is for developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. To streamline the process, terms of reference for the Santiago Network were adopted in 2022, including establishing its hosted secretariat to coordinate its functions, an Advisory Board to provide oversight and guidance, and a network of members to provide technical assistance. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) were selected as the hosts of the Santiago Network Secretariat in 2023. The Santiago Network Secretariat administers, through UNOPS, the funds provided to the Santiago Network to support technical assistance, in accordance with the respective regulations and rules of UNOPS. Technical assistance through the network will be provided in a demand-driven manner and developed through an inclusive and country-led process, taking into account the needs of vulnerable people, Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The Santiago Network is further guided by six functions. Among them: Effective implementation of the functions of the WIM; Catalysing demand-driven technical assistance, including by identifying, prioritizing, and communicating technical assistance needs and priorities; Facilitating and catalysing collaboration, coordination, coherence and synergies among OBNEs to deliver technical assistance effectively and efficiently; Facilitating the consideration of a wide range of topics; Facilitating the development and sharing of knowledge and information on loss and damage; and Facilitating access to finance, capacity building and technology through technical assistance. Catalysing technical assistance through the Santiago Network The scope of technical assistance includes a wide range of topics relevant to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with climate change. Requests for technical assistance are further guided by the Guidelines and procedures for responding to requests for technical assistance that articulate the criteria governing requests for technical assistance, and the process for making and responding to requests, as well as provide the template for developing countries to submit requests. OBNEs designated as members of the Santiago Network will be able to respond to these requests in keeping with the established open and transparent process. The provision of technical assistance must also be aligned with the Guidelines on preventing potential and addressing actual and perceived conflicts of interest in relation to the Santiago network . Country and policy context Namibia has been experiencing high frequency and intensity of droughts and floods. Between 1992 and 2024, Namibia declared a state of emergency on account of drought on six occasions. Moreover, communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable, and a significant number has been pushed into extreme poverty by recurrent climate-related disasters. The 2024/25 drought was particularly severe, and has been described as the worst disaster the country has ever experienced, as it left approximately 42% of the population food insecure. In 2024/2025, as part of the nationwide drought relief programme, the government redirected approximately N$1,9 billion (equivalent to USD 89 million) of its national resources earmarked for development to support affected communities. It is against this background that support is requested to assist the country to build a long-term solution to these recurrent disasters, especially droughts and floods. Challenges that continue to affect the country’s actions relating to lo