Energy & Climate Senior Advisor

The UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC) was established in early 2022. UNEP-CCC is programmatically guided by UN Environment (UNEP) and operationally supported by UNOPS. UNEP-CCC was established to ensure preservation and continuation of the experience and capacity established through a 30-year working relationship between UNEP, the Danish Technical University (DTU), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), known as the UNEP DTU Partnership (UDP). 

UNEP-CCC is a leading international advisory institution on energy, climate and sustainable development. Its work focuses on assisting developing countries and emerging economies transition towards more low-carbon development paths and supports integration of climate-resilience in national development. UNEP-CCC is actively engaged in implementing UN Environment’s Climate Change Strategy and Energy Programme by delivering technical assistance and analytical work to emerging markets and developing countries in context of the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.

• In collaboration with the Head of Sections and Director, contribute to drafting the strategy and work plan for the Centre. Review and update it periodically to shape and reflect the new directions that the Centre will be taking. 

• Advice the Senior management and senior colleagues on long-term goals and planning.

• Support preparation of project documents for programmatic funding and maintain effective coordination and relationship with donors. 

• Monitor work plan progress, and report results and outcomes periodically.  

• Facilitate preparation for donor appraisals and evaluations in cooperation with senior management and the project leads. 

• Liaison with key personnel to align Centre better with UNEP goals and results, and donor expectations.

• Enable cross-section synergies within the Centre, within UNEP, and facilitate external collaborations. 

• Provide advice on key climate topics e.g., energy transition, climate technology transfer and markets, development and climate finance, socio-economic aspects of climate change, just transition. 

• Pro-actively lead self and others towards growing new areas and concepts including Article 6, net-zero, just transition, NDC-tech linkages etc.  

• Lead knowledge products, communications, and dissemination activities on the above-mentioned topics. 

• Produce policy-relevant briefs, guides, and reports around green transition, NDCs etc.  
   

• Lead project design, conceptualization, planning and implementation. 

• Manage project operations, develop, and track work plans and budgets, coordinate with partners and donors, supervise consultants, junior staff.

• Lead/co-lead project outputs and ensure that the deliverables are met within the specified project time, cost, and quality. 

• Develop, manage, and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders, including government and private sector. 

• Lead capacity building events, workshops, and trainings in close collaboration with local partners and consultants. 

• Follow-up on projects after completion as part of sustainability strategy to monitor the uptake of the outputs and results.
  
  

• Lead and contribute to fundraising, writing concept notes and proposals. 

• Establish, maintain, and strengthen strategic partnerships across diverse areas of work at the Centre and externally. 

• Represent UNEP-CCC in international events and forums, contribute to building its brand identity and reputation.
  
  

Impact of Results

• Contribute to strengthening the skills and analytical competences of the section and the Centre by working together with other staff members.

• Mentor and support junior staff members.

• Provide both technical advice and high-level policy advice to clients under specific projects.

a. Education 

Advanced university degree (PhD, master’s degree or equivalent), preferably in economics, energy transition, sustainable development, climate technologies, political economy, or related field. A Bachelor Degree with an additional two (2) years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master`s degree.

b. Experience

• At least 7 years of relevant experience working with projects and programs, in leading and coordinating project implementation is required. 
• Substantial knowledge and understanding of sustainable development, SDG 7, clean technologies, and energy markets, is required.
• Relevant analytical experience, including data collection and analysis, in sustainable energy transition, just transition, energy markets and business models, carbon markets and sustainable development is required. 
• Relevant experience working in developing countries (e.g., in South Asia and in Sub-Saharan Africa) is desirable.
• Proven experience in proposal development, fund raising, and donor relationship management is desirable.

c. Languages

• Fluency in English is required.

• Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement 
Contract level: IICA 3 / ICS 11
Contract duration: One year (12 months) initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• Copenhagen, Denmark is a family duty station. 

Terms and Conditions 

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

 ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.