Climate Senior Analyst

Background Information - PG

The Procurement Group (PG) is based at UNOPS HQ in Copenhagen. It leads the organization’s sustainable procurement practice and is responsible for: articulating strategy, policy positions and innovative solutions for procurement at UNOPS; enabling the operationalization and managerial oversight of UNOPS procurement activities through appropriate systems and reports; strengthening the knowledge, skills and career development of procurement practitioners; and leading the implementation of sustainable supply chains across the organization. 

As a central procurement resource for the United Nations system and its partners, UNOPS emphasizes efficient, transparent, cost-effective and sustainable delivery of goods, services and works, in line with public procurement best practices. On a yearly basis, UNOPS procures approx. USD 1 Bn worth of goods, services and works on behalf of our partners. These include a broad base of categories, including life-saving pharmaceuticals, mine action equipment, vehicles or road construction services. 

PG’s sustainability initiatives are led by the Head of Sustainable Supply Chains. 

Background Information - Job specific:

Sustainable Supply Chains go beyond simple sustainable procurement, they require strategic thinking to ensure that all activities linked to procurement integrate requirements, specifications and criteria that are compatible and in favour of the protection of the environment, social progress and in support of economic development, namely by seeking resource efficiency, improving the quality of products and services and ultimately optimizing costs.

Since 2015, UNOPS has been a leader in sustainable procurement, and sustainability is now one of the core principles of UNOPS Procurement. We have implemented best practices such as: 

Sustainable Procurement Framework, effective as of 1st January 2020, requires that most of our procurement processes incorporate sustainability and gender mainstreaming considerations.

Delivering Responsibility in Vendor Engagement programme (DRiVE). DRiVE is UNOPS supplier sustainability assessment, inspection and corrective action-planning programme. Its overall scope is to ensure UNOPS vendors operate responsibly and in accordance with high standards of integrity, with a focus on human rights, labour standards, equal opportunity, code of conduct, health and safety, quality management and environmental management.

Possibilities Programme, which is the UNOPS supplier diversity and inclusion programme. 

Under the supervision of the Head of Sustainable Supply Chains, the Sustainable Supply Chains Manager will be expected to continue the UNOPS leadership in sustainable procurement, as well as advance it in new and emerging areas, to ensure that through procurement UNOPS contributes to sustainable development. 

The climate senior analyst is expected to contribute to, advise and support the UNOPS Procurement Group with environmental (climate) expertise to identify scalable solutions for the reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in UNOPS Procurement and Supply Chain. Specifically addressing the UNOPS climate strategy and the PG climate roadmap.

Due to the nature of the job, the selected candidate is expected to travel occasionally to field offices, and to other off-site events when relevant.

Specific Duties and Tasks

Reporting to the Sustainable Supply Chains Manager, the main functional responsibilities of this position are as follows: 

1, Climate Action 

• Contribute to the implementation of the Procurement Group's contribution to the UNOPS climate action/activities.

• Contribute to PG’s reporting on climate action for internal and external stakeholders

• Monitor PG’s progress on climate action work, including the work plan and roadmap

• Review, on an ongoing basis, existing guidance, tools, and good practices for actions towards mitigation, adaptation and reporting Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions with special emphasis on Scope 3 and key procurement categories with potentially high GHG emissions with the objective to inform the Sustainable Procurement Framework and policies, and contribute to internal and external capacity building.

• Collaborate with other UNOPS experts and other relevant stakeholders on climate projects, in the climate project group, the climate mission hub and other relevant projects.

2. Capacity Building 

• Develop practical guidance for GHG reduction in UNOPS procurement procurement and supply chain

• Support the creation of and rollout of capacity development and training materials for climate activities and actions in procurement and supply chain - both internal and external.

• Promote communications and knowledge sharing around climate and sustainable supply chains. 

• Develop pilots to trial new criteria and approaches with country offices, project teams, partners and/or other stakeholders

• Provide technical climate support to country offices, project teams, partners and/or other stakeholders

• Contribute to UNOPS knowledge management by capturing case studies and best practice examples of climate-related activities throughout UNOPS. 

3. Sustainable Supply Chains 

• Represent PG in relevant climate task forces and roundtables 

• Review through continuous improvement, the climate criteria under the SP criteria and guidance tool, recommend improvements and new criteria

• Support the development of a corporate approach to supply chain management that identifies sustainability risks, interventions and opportunities.

• Participate in and contribute to hosting or co-hosting Sustainable Supply Chains training delivered to internal and external stakeholders.

• Contribute to the efforts under the UNOPS Sustainable Procurement Framework key initiatives (UNOPS Possibilities and DRiVE).

Education: 

Advanced University degree preferably in climate science, logistics, humanitarian development, engineering, supply chain,  environmental sustainability; or a relevant field is required.  

A Bachelor's degree with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

 Experience: 

• A minimum of two years of relevant experience in climate change, environmental sustainability, supply chain and/or product life cycle experience is required

• Experience working in an international context is an advantage. 

• Demonstrable experience working in complex, multi-faceted organizations on issues related to supply chain and operational sustainability is an advantage.

• Knowledge of sustainability topics such as environmental management, health and safety and/or labour standards is an advantage.

• Knowledge of greenhouse gas accounting and reporting standards is an asset. Experience with TCFD, CDP, SBTi, and GRI is desirable.

• Prior participation in, and knowledge of different climate taskforces and roundtables in the UN or development sector is desirable

• Fluency in written and oral English is a requirement

• Knowledge of French and/or Spanish 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 

• 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.