Technical Officer - Environmental (Climate Resilience)

Organisational Context:

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United
Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding,
humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource
of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and
infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors, and the United Nations
organisations.

UNOPS in Nepal

In alignment with government priorities, the UNOPS Nepal country office looks forward to providing long-term strategic and advisory support to the country by enhancing the capacity of national and sub-national governments and partners within all three tiers of government. By prioritizing evidence-based planning, capacity building, and developing model projects for creating sustainable and inclusive cities, the UNOPS Nepal country office also aims to build strong relationships with urban municipalities at the local level. Aiming to create sustainable cities by promoting a green and resilient, climate-adaptive, and socially inclusive development approach the assignment will focus on integrating urban planning and design in municipal infrastructure implementation processes, focusing on public open spaces, and development of other bankable projects. The project Cities 4 Women (C4W): Inclusive and Climate Resilient Urbanization in Nepal is implemented by UNOPS with UN-Habitat and Cities Alliance with support from the European Commission, USAID, and the Government of Finland. 

1. Technical Expertise
2. Business Development
3. Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management

• Provide implementation support to the C4W team on environment and climate change-related interventions which may include issues specific to climate resilience, DRR, emissions reduction, flood adaptation, and environmental and social management plans;

• Support country team in building the capacity of local and federal governments through inclusive, gender-responsive, and disaster and climate-resilient urban planning;

• Work closely with the country team to coordinate and collaborate with other UN agencies, government/s, research institutes, private sector, and other related organizations involved in the areas of environment and climate change to promote a substantive and strategic policy engagement of C4W on environment and climate change;

• Support coordination and discussions with relevant stakeholders, as technical contributors for the development of new and innovative solutions related to environment and climate change;

• Conduct research, assessments, and feasibility studies in the field of climate change and DRR;

• Review technical reports and guide improvements. 

• Support in providing technical backstopping on environment, resilience, and climate change-related opportunities to prepare concept notes and project proposals for new business development under the C4W project;

• Support country team in identifying and accessing climate funds and develop proposals for funding from donor agencies.

• Provide inputs for communications and knowledge management activities under the country office.

• Conduct periodic reviews of climate change-related interventions under the project to ensure compliance with national standards and project targets.

Education: 

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferably in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Sustainability, or Environmental Management is required.

Experience:

• At least 2 years of experience in mainstreaming climate mitigation measures in development projects, energy, climate change, environment, and urban planning and development is required.

• Familiarity with the environmental and climate change context of Nepal is desirable.

• Coordination role with government entities related to infrastructure projects.

• Organizing community consultation and awareness events.

• Accompanying foreign consultants on field missions.

Language: 

• Fluency in English and Nepali is required.

1. Contract type: Local ICA
2. Contract level: ICS 8 / LICA Specialist 8
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

• 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.

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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.