Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Specialist, Latin America & Caribbean (LAC)

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices in the region, providing management and financial/programmatic oversight of Global and Country specific Portfolios, Clusters and Operations Centers including hosting services, fund management, management advisory services, implementing projects, procuring goods and services and managing human resources.

UN Environment, as the lead of a consortium of 13 partner organizations, has been selected as the host for the operational arm of the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism: the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN). The mission of the CTCN is to stimulate technology cooperation and to enhance the development and transfer of climate technologies to developing countries. The CTCN assists developing country Parties at their request, building or strengthening their capacity to prepare and implement climate technology projects that span the technology transfer continuum. The CTCN supports public and private sector action on mitigation and adaptation, enhancing low-carbon and climate-resilient development in a manner consistent with the capabilities and priorities of recipient countries.   

In this position, the Specialist will provide services for the operationalization of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) and will work in close coordination with the CTCN Director and the Regional Manager in the Latin America and Caribbean region. 

Objectives of the Assignment

Objective 1: Ensure sound coordination and high quality of responses delivered by the CTCN in Latin America and Caribbean Region by .

Outputs:

- Reviewed requests submitted by countries to the CTCN and relevant recommendations
- Ensured compliance with work plan timelines and deliverable schedules.
- Improved quality of the Recommendations on the quality of deliverables, including completion reports by following the guidance from the M&E framework

Objective 2: Strengthen capacities of National Designated Entities and, Network members and other stakeholders on climate technologies by.

Outputs:

- Drafting concept notes and materials for regional CTCN capacity building activities, including data mining of the implementation of the same.

- Establishing and developing strong relationships with NDEs and new relationships with regional players active in Latin America and Caribbean Region.

- Identifying  relevant regional events at which CTCN activities would be profiled and representing CTCN in regional and national events and platforms.

Objective 3: Ensure effective implementation of regional collaborative activities and additional partnership opportunities through:

Outputs:

-    Reviewed Technology Needs Assessments, Nationally Determined Contributions and relevant national plans in Latin America and Caribbean Countries.

- Improved and stronger relationship of CTCN with key partners: focal points (National Designated Entities), consortium partners and network members.

-    Developed Climate Technology Network through identification and introduction of applications of possible CTC Network service provider members from Latin America and Caribbean Region.

- Drafted concept notes on collaboration between the CTCN and other stakeholders (universities, private sector, donors, etc.);

In particular, he/she will: 

• Provide inputs on technical assistance request prioritization, refinement and guidance on day-to-day management for delivery of the technical assistance. 

• Facilitate CTCN Response Plan development and review project documents for quality assurance and control in collaboration with client countries and sector experts. 

• Promote and facilitate capacity building, knowledge management, and communication activities on climate technologies. 

• Lead the organization and preparation of CTCN networking activities such as the CTNC regional Forum, trainings, networking events, CTCN national consultative processes, and other events and activities planned by CTCN

• Manage relationships with National Designated Entities and develop new partnerships with regional players in LAC.

• Collaborate closely with Consortium Partners and Network Members engagement for delivery of CTCN technical assistance, including monitoring and evaluation.

• Provide support to the CTCN Knowledge Management team by creating synergies between exiting regional web-based knowledge sharing platforms and CTCN web-based knowledge management systems

• Prepare monthly activity plans and progress reports 

The Specialist will contribute to the following deliverables:

• Liaise with the National Designated Entities and project proponents and provide feedback on potential requests for technical assistance as per the CTCN mandate and strategic interest.

• Technical review and recommendations on the design of CTCN response plans (ToRs) are prepared.

• Review and quality assurance of deliverable reports provided by CTCN implementers is undertaken. 

• Drafting of ToR for agreements and tendering documents.

• Evaluation of technical proposals submitted by the partners.

• Review and quality assurance of Monitoring & Evaluation and closure reports is undertaken.

• Preparation of Readiness proposals for the Green Climate Fund and other windows of climate financing. 

• Preparation of materials needed for Regional Forum, training, networking events, CTCN National consultative process, and other regional events organized by CTNC 

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in science, environment, engineering and technology, natural resource management, law or related discipline is required.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
• The position requires someone living in Latin Caribbean Region (LCR), therefore only applicants living in that region will be considered for the post.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.