Asia-Pacific Adaptation Specialist

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 consultant 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 on adaptation technologies in the Asia-Pacific region. 

In particular, for Asia-Pacific he/she will support: 

• Capacity building, knowledge management, and communication activities on adaptation technologies;

• Adaptation and cross sectoral mitigation-adaptation technical assistance request generation and refinement;

• CTCN Response Plan development and review (project documents) in collaboration with client countries and sector experts; 

• Reporting on results from TA and other CTCN services related to adaptation, including through ActivityInfo and other systems as needed, is timely conducted;

• Day-to-day support to management of specific adaptation programmes, including AFCIA.

• Consortium Partner and Network Member engagement for delivery of CTCN technical assistance, including monitoring and evaluation;

• Input into global adaptation products including within the scope of the UNFCCC processes;

• Outreach to new client countries and network members including through the 'request incubator', 'vision to concept', AFCIA and other programmes.

The consultant will contribute to the following deliverables:

• Materials needed for Regional Fora to be conducted throughout 2020-2021 are drafted and finalized;

• Recommendations on potential adaptation and joint mitigation-adaptation requests are prepared;

• Technical review and recommendations regarding the design of CTCN response plans (project documents) are prepared;

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

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

• The database of partners and their adaptation-related activities is updated.  

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental science, climate change, natural resources management, or related area;  Bachelor’s degree and 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree.

• At least 7 years of experience in the field of climate change with a focus on adaptation; 
• Experience of working with International Organizations is an asset;
• Experience working in Asia-Pacific is an asset;
• Experience working with governments is an advantage; 
• Understanding and experience with UN Programs, their development and implementation activities is an advantage 

• 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.  

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.