Desk Officer for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Santiago network

Santiago network

The Santiago network was established in December 2019 at COP25/CMA2, as part of the Warsaw International Mechanism, for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, to catalyze the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of relevant approaches at the local, national and regional level, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. (decision 2/CMA.2, para 43, noted by 2/CP.25). 

The Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention and the Paris Agreement subsequently decided on the functions of the Santiago network at COP26 and on the institutional arrangements to enable its full operationalization. Parties agreed the structure would comprise:

• A hosted Secretariat that will facilitate its work, to be known as the Santiago network Secretariat;

• An Advisory Board, to provide guidance and oversight to the Santiago network Secretariat on the effective implementation of the functions of the network; and

• A network of organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs) covering a wide range of topics relevant to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage. 

At COP28 in 2023, Parties selected the consortium of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) as co-hosts of the Santiago network Secretariat for an initial term of five years, with five-year renewal periods. 

While UNOPS provides the necessary administrative and operational support for the effective functioning of the Secretariat, UNDRR provides the Secretariat with technical backstopping and expertise in the domain of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage consistent with the guidelines for preventing potential and addressing actual and perceived conflicts of interest in relation to the Santiago network. 

Relevant COP/CMA decisions on the Santiago network can be consulted here. Documents and reports from meetings of the Santiago network Advisory Board are available here. 

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 United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Desk Officer for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Santiago network 

Under the overall guidance of the Director of the Santiago network Secretariat and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager, the Desk Officer for Least Developed Countries, LDCs, facilitates the provision of catalyzed technical assistance and membership matters in LDCs globally, as well as the provision of related services, in close coordination with Regional Coordinators and designated contact points. This includes ensuring effective, timely and context-specific support, tailored to the needs of least developed countries.

The role contributes to the implementation of guidelines and procedures for enabling access to and assisting in preparing requests for technical assistance that recognize the significant capacity constraints of the least developed countries, as well as to the creation of an enabling environment for demand-driven technical assistance requests in LDCs.

1. Supporting technical assistance processes and systems 
2. Facilitating technical assistance
3. Programme implementation and monitoring
4. Partner and stakeholder engagement
5. Knowledge management and innovation
6. Corporate functions and team building

• An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent), preferably in development studies, international relations, political science, environmental sciences and climate change,  economics, social sciences, or related areas, is required.

• A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in programme management in the areas of development, loss and damage, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, or related climate change processes is required.

• Within those five (5) years, a minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated experience working with a range of stakeholders in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), is required.

• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes and the loss and damage agenda is highly desirable.

• Fluency in oral and written English is required. 

• Fluency in oral and written French is required.

• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

• 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. 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.