Individual Contractor: Sea Level Rise and Human Rights Budget Tagging

About the role

The OHCHR is seeking an individual contractor to develop the first phase of a practical methodology linking adaptation budget tagging with OHCHR approaches to economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) budget tagging, focusing on the rights to water and sanitation, adequate housing, food and health in the context of sea-level rise. The work is home-based, runs from 16 November to 31 March 2027, and is paid in two lump sums of 13,000 USD each upon satisfactory completion of agreed deliverables.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare a workplan, inception report and confirm the analytical approach, data needs and timeline.
• Review and map international methodologies and national practices for climate/adaptation budget tagging, including the OECD Rio markers, with attention to sea-level rise risks.
• Apply OHCHR ESCR budget tagging approaches to the rights most affected by sea-level rise, identifying indicators and guiding questions.
• Develop a draft adaptation-ESCR matrix and the structure of a practical tagging/assessment tool usable at programme or budget-line level.
• Run a light desk-based application to one national budget or existing tagging system to test feasibility and refine the approach.
• Select 2-4 country cases for further testing and carry out short country analyses while refining the tool.

Required profile

• Advanced degree in law, human rights, environmental studies, social or biological sciences.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in public finance, climate/adaptation finance, climate budgeting, public financial management or related areas.
• Demonstrated experience with climate/adaptation budget tagging, climate expenditure tracking, green budgeting or similar, and analysis of national budgets and public expenditure.
• Knowledge of human rights-based approaches to public finance and ESCR is desirable; multilateral work experience is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required.