Climate Finance Consultant

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established as an operating entity of the UNFCCC financial mechanism. It is expected to become the main global fund for financing climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. While it has been agreed that Direct Access will be one of the modalities for the disbursement of the funds, it is recognized that certain levels of capacity will be required by governments and other actors involved in accessing the GCF. For the GCF to succeed, national capacities and mechanisms need to correspond to the GCF requirements, while also aligning with country planning, budgeting, programming and MRV systems.

The German Government, through the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), is committed to supporting developing countries to strengthen their national capacities to access the GCF, and to thereby helping operationalize the GCF as soon as possible. In order to do so, BMUB invited UN Environment, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) to develop a GCF Readiness Programme ("The Programme") in nine countries. The Programme is based on a previous inception phase that yielded country readiness plans drawn from country specific needs assessments. The Programme is expected to offer needs-oriented support to countries for accessing the GCF. The Programme includes (i) specific capacity building programmes in nine target countries; (ii) the development of national project pipelines on the basis of existing and potential specific national plans and policies, together with feeding back lessons learned identified with GCF processes to support the work of the GCF Board and Secretariat.

To deliver the UN Environment-led activities of the Programme, UN Environment requires the support services of an individual contractor, climate finance. The individual contractor can be partly home-based but is expected to liaise extensively with the UN Environment / UNDP / WRI GCF Readiness Programme coordination team based in Paris This may also require the consultant to travel   

The individual contractor will contribute to the technical implementation of the Programme, which will include the following:

•   Provide inputs/ contribute to the development of two GCF funding proposals in Nepal.

•   Support the project prioritization in Nepal.

•   Assist in developing of a GCF engagement strategy in Nepal.

•   Support in organization financial sector engagement workshops in Fiji;

•   Provide inputs/ contribute to the development of one GCF Enhanced Direct Access funding proposal in Fiji;

•   Support the implementation of capacity building measures and policies in line with GCF requirements in Benin;

•   Consolidate and provide input to the lessons learnt/review paper on the GCF Readiness Programme, with reference to the Programme activities in Benin, Nepal and Fiji.

• Advanced University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in finance, economics, international development, international environmental law or a closely related field is required. 
• A Bachelor degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be acceptable in lieu of the advanced degree.

• At least three years of experience in the field of environment, climate change or development finance.
• Experience of working with international organizations is an asset.
• Experience in management of climate change projects (assessment, design, implementation) is an asset.
• Background in energy issues is an asset. 

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Working knowledge of French is desired.
• Knowledge of other UN language/s is an asset.

• 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.
• 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.

APPLICANTS SHOULD INCLUDE A COVER LETTER WITH THEIR APPLICATION.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.