Result of Service

Work Location

Home based

Expected duration

3 Oct 25 - 31 Aug 26

Duties and Responsibilities

Purpose: Many Asia-Pacific cities face mounting risks from land subsidence, a largely overlooked but accelerating threat that compounds the region’s vulnerability to climate-related hazards. Subsidence is often driven by rapid and unregulated urban growth, extensive and unsustainable groundwater extraction, the overloading of urban land with infrastructure, and the degradation of natural buffers such as wetlands and mangroves. Critically, the lack of integration between urban planning and water resource management systems further exacerbates this phenomenon, leading to sinking ground surfaces, structural damage, increased flooding risk, and long-term loss of land and livelihoods. A 2022 study confirmed that land subsidence in many cities across South, South-East, and East Asia is occurring at rates faster than sea-level rise, placing millions of urban residents and critical infrastructure, ranging from transport systems and housing to cultural heritage, at significant risk. Recognizing the urgency of this challenge, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) including the Asian and Pacific Centre for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM), in collaboration with United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) launched the regional initiative “Confronting the Silent Crisis of Asia-Pacific’s Sinking Cities&rdquo. Funded under the China-ESCAP Cooperation Programme (CECP), this multi-phase initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of governments and city stakeholders to monitor, understand, and mitigate land subsidence as part of their broader efforts toward sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban development. To support Phase 1 of this initiative, an international consultant will be engaged to design a standardized, data-driven diagnostic assessment and monitoring framework that can be applied across different city contexts. The framework will leverage a combination of geospatial technologies, remote sensing tools such as InSAR, and urban and environmental indicators to assess the extent and drivers of land subsidence, identify high-risk zones, and simulate future risk scenarios. It will also incorporate scalable methodologies suitable for both data-rich and data-poor environments. Beyond technical framework development, the consultant will deliver practical guidance and capacity-building support to ensure that national and local government stakeholders are able to effectively apply the tools and integrate land subsidence considerations into urban planning, water governance, and disaster risk reduction efforts. This will be accompanied by the preparation of a regional playbook outline summarizing lessons learned, policy recommendations, and a roadmap for scaling up and replicating the approach across the region. Together, these outputs will lay the foundation for more coordinated, evidence-based responses to land subsidence and help place this “silent crisis” on the regional urban policy agenda. Objective: Under the direct supervision of the ESCAP Project Coordinator (EDD/SUDS), the international consultant will provide technical leadership and strategic guidance to support Phase 1 of the “Confronting the Silent Crisis of Asia-Pacific’s Sinking Cities” initiative. The overarching objective of the consultancy is to equip national and local governments with a standardized, practical, and scalable framework to assess, monitor, and respond to land subsidence risks in urban areas, including its application in pilot contexts and translation into actionable policy and planning responses. Specific objectives include: Designing a flexible diagnostic assessment and monitoring framework that utilizes geospatial data, remote sensing tools (e.g., InSAR), and urban-environmental indicators to identify and forecast land subsidence risks and impacts. Developing practical guidance materials and a user toolkit that national and local governments can apply independently across different urban contexts, including those with limited data and technical capacity. Building capacity through targeted training and stakeholder engagement, enabling relevant authorities to apply the framework, interpret results, and translate findings into planning and policy decisions. Translating assessment findings into actionable policy recommendations and response options. Expected outcomes: Improved capacity of participating governments and city-level institutions to understand, assess, and monitor land subsidence causes, trends and impacts in a structured and evidence-based manner. Enhanced integration of land subsidence considerations into urban planning, infrastructure design/vulnerability assessment, disaster risk management, and water resource governance frameworks at national and local levels. Establishment of a scalable methodology that can be used in future phases of the project and shared across cities in the region as part of broader regional cooperation and knowledge exchange. Increased awareness and policy attention to the issue of land subsidence as a critical urban resilience and climate adaptation challenge, placing it more prominently on regional and national agendas. A foundation for future investment and targeted interventions in pilot cities, informed by the framework’s assessments and supported by a coherent regional approach. Strengthened decision-support capacity to inform risk-sensitive urban planning and investment prioritization.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in urban planning, geography, engineering, sustainable development, environmental sciences, social sciences, or a related discipline. Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in sustainable urban development, water resource management, climate adaptation, or environmental resilience. Demonstrated expertise in applied research, technical assistance, and policy analysis related to urban and environmental systems. Proven track record of working with national and/or subnational governments to support development projects in areas such as infrastructure planning, environmental assessment, disaster risk reduction, or strategic urban development. Experience in designing and applying diagnostic frameworks, monitoring tools, or geospatial methodologies in support of evidence-based urban planning and policy-making. Comprehensive understanding of urban and regional development trends and challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly related to: Land subsidence, coastal resilience, and climate change impacts on urban systems. Sustainable water resource management, including groundwater regulation, sanitation, and integration of nature-based solutions. Circular economy, disaster resilience, and mainstreaming sustainability into urban infrastructure, planning, and governance. Proficiency in geospatial analysis, GIS, and remote sensing (e.g., InSAR) for urban and environmental monitoring. Strong capacity to translate scientific data into actionable recommendations, training materials, and policy guidance. Demonstrated ability to build capacity and facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement, including with government agencies, academia, and development partners.

Languages

Fluent in English, in both writing and speaking.

Not available.

No Fee

THE 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.