In-Country Facilitator Multiple Locations (Tajikistan and Armenia) Home-based Retainer, Multiple positions

Tajikistan joined the NDC Partnership in March 2019. Tajikistan has submitted its updated NDC to the UNFCCC on the 12 of October 2021. Tajikistan intends to adopt its NDC implementation plan in order to effectively implement and achieve the targets set out in the updated NDC. With the support facilitated through NDC Partnership CAEP Initiative, Tajikistan submitted its updated NDC to the UNFCCC on the 12 of October 2021. To capitalize this effort in 2021 the government of Tajikistan requested support from Partners to establish NDC Secretariat, consisting of In-Country Facilitator and Assistant In-Country Facilitator. The NDC Secretariat was embedded in the Committee for the Environmental Protection in 2022 and supported the development of NDC Climate Finance Plan and NDC Implementation Plan. Based on the efficient contribution of NDC Secretariat to the NDC development and implementation process, the government of Tajikistan requested extension of support for additional 5 years from 2025 to 2030. Over this period the NDC Secretariat will focus on the mobilization of resources and coordination of the processes of NDC update, along with mobilizing resources for the development of NDC Implementation Plan and NDC Climate Finance Plan. The NDC Secretariat will also provide coordination and resource mobilization support for the development of Tajikistan’s LT-LEDS 2037. 

The Republic of Armenia joined the NDC Partnership in August 2018. The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Economy have been appointed as focal point agencies. Armenia’s position under the Paris Agreement is formulated in its NDC which was approved by the Government on the 22nd of April 2021. To contribute to the international community’s efforts, Armenia has set an economy-wide target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. Public consultation process of the NDC update has been carried out in line with the government procedures, including involvement of the civil society, in a gender-responsive manner. The 2021-2030 NDC implementation is safeguarded by the national and sectoral strategies and their implementation programmes, substantially driven by the policy and measures in the energy sector as the largest emitting sector (64%) with the most mitigation potential. To guide path for systemic transformation towards carbon neutrality, the Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) was adopted by the Government on 28 December 2023. Nevertheless, according to the NDC, adaptation policies and measures are of paramount importance for Armenia’s ability to achieve its social and economic development goals. As such, the National Action Program of Adaptation to Climate Change (NAP) was adopted by the Government on 13 May 2021 to integrate adaptation into national, sectoral and community-level development plans and mobilize national and external resources.

In 2024 Armenia adopted NDC Partner Support Coordination Plan, which is a results-based, quantified and measurable national climate plan developed under the NDC Partnership. It functions as both a strategic roadmap and a coordination mechanism for tracking over 200 climate measures, aligning Armenia’s NDC implementation with the LT-LEDS, NAP and sectoral strategies. By clearly defining priorities and tracking progress, the Coordination Plan strengthens interagency collaboration. As a centralized database of projects and gaps, the Plan serves as a planning and resource mobilization tool. This structured approach aims to bridge the gap between climate projects and necessary funding, contributing to the successful NDC implementation. The Plan was uploaded on the Online Tool to improve the ability of stakeholders to interact with the Plan via visualizing, editing and reporting, and generating strategic and operational information. As the climate context evolves, the NDC Partner Support Coordination Plan along with its Online Tool is subject to regular updates, at least quarterly.

In the light of the next round of NDCs by COP30 the Government of Armenia, with the support of the NDC Partnership and “Climate Promise” UNDP project funded by the Government of Germany, is developing the country’s NDC for 2025-2035 (NDC 3.0). The latter is set to encompass revision of economy-wide GHG emission reduction target, setting economy-wide non-GHG targets/goals for emitter sectors, development of an integrated implementation plan, and conducting “whole-of-society” stakeholder consultations engaging policy makers, local communities, private sector, youth, women, and vulnerable groups. As the NDC 3.0 is to be more ambitious than the 2021-2030 NDC, it significantly depends on the financial component for the implementation of the planned actions and projects along with technology transfer and capacity-building. To this end, the NDC Partnership Country Engagement is pivotal to contribute to resource mobilization for capacities, technologies, financing and to partnerships for the successful implementation of the NDC 3.0.

The embedded facilitator will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and will work in close collaboration with the different ministerial offices. This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with the possibility of an extension subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

• Ensure that communications relevant to NDC Partnership engagement are shared with relevant national, international, and local level stakeholders.
• Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in the country, for instance through national climate change committees, with the aim of leveraging and mobilizing their respective advantages in support of the Implementation Plan, request for support letters or equivalent instrument. To this end, usage of existing government coordination mechanisms shall be prioritized.
• Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the Implementation Plan, or equivalent instrument, with stakeholders.

• Collaborate with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and the Focal Points to manage and update the Plan in the Online Tool, ensuring information remains up to date and accessible for key stakeholders. If an Online Tool is available, support the transition to the online tool if the government is seeking its use.
• Identify implementing and development partners, compile and periodically update their contact details (name of focal point, email address, telephone number) and follow up with them regarding their contribution to the Implementation Plan or equivalent instrument.
• When applicable, contribute to the development of the Implementation Plan Narrative and its validation by the government.

• Create an Annual Work Plan that sets out specific goals for the facilitator role in collaboration with the Country Engagement Specialist and Focal Point.
• Collaborate with the Support Unit to document changes in the operating context and provide support to the government and stakeholders in decision-making processes and new developments with respect to the Implementation Plan, equivalent instrument and its enabling environment. 

• Support the government in following up on and mobilizing partner financing to close its support gaps to allow for NDC implementation as per the Implementation Plan or an equivalent instrument.
• Update government needs and priorities for NDC implementation. When Implementation Plans are available, these should be regularly updated.
• Work with the Support Unit to produce an overview of support gaps to make available to partners.
• Engage with partners, including at the local/subnational level, to link needs to services and resources in accordance with the Implementation Plan.
• Assist the government in coordinating with key donors, partners, and funding mechanisms on aligning country programs and projects with the needs and gaps identified in the Implementation Plan, other planning / coordination instruments, as applicable, and requests for support.
• Assist and provide guidance to International and Development Partners to align climate projects and programmatic objectives with the Implementation Plan or other support planning / coordination instruments as applicable. 

• Monitor and assess implementation of the Implementation Plan and coordinate periodic reporting of partners to the NDC Partnership.
• Prepare quarterly country update reports summarizing key insights and progress updates, challenges, and recommendations for the way forward.
• Assess progress outcomes of the NDC Partnership in-country engagement and make recommendations for adjustments.  

• If requested, facilitate national country specific multi-stakeholder NDC dialogues, including on the development of the NDC or LT-LEDS.
• Support the government in preparing for NDC-related events such as COPs, regional climate weeks, national events, and other convenings relevant to showcase NDC progress and generate support for implementation of the NDC.
• Organize coordination meetings between the Support Unit and the government as needed. 

• A master’s degree in public policy, development, climate change, natural resource management, environmental management, and any other relevant field of study is required.
• Bachelor's degree in related discipline with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (7 total) may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree.

• At least 5 years’ experience in public and/or private sector with a focus on climate change, project management, stakeholder and donor engagement and/or preparation of cross-cutting workplan/proposal development or any related field;
• Experience in multilateral, national and grassroot governance and processes related to climate change, policy and/or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs);
• Knowledge of the country’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change is required.

• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (CoP), NDC and past experience on government climate change process.
• Experience of other national contexts that indirectly contribute to climate change is desirable
• Ability to foster formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders

• Tajikistan: Proficiency in English and Tajik is required
• Armenia: Proficiency in English and Armenian is required
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

1. Contract type: Local ICA Retainer
2. Contract level: LICA-10
3. Contract duration: 12 months, max 220 working days, with possibility of extension

• 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. 

• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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.