NDC Partnership Climate Finance Specialist (Technical Specialist - Environmental) - Kyrgyz Republic, Retainer

WEC Background: 

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support. 

WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements,  such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. 

The NDC Partnership: 

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition of countries and institutions collaborating to drive transformational climate action through sustainable development. In 2015, the world endorsed the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Nations signal their commitments to the Paris Agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) - each country’s strategy to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience against the negative effects of a changing climate. The Partnership advances the goals of the Paris Agreement by bringing together nearly 200 countries and institutions in new ways to accelerate NDC implementation and enhance ambition over time. The Partnership’s work through 120 partners supporting almost 80 countries produces many examples of impact, lessons learned and ideas for the future. The Partnership is governed by a Steering Committee, co-chaired by two country representatives. The Partnership’s work is facilitated by a Support Unit based at World Resources Institute in Washington DC and the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. UNOPS supports the NDC Partnership and its Support Unit through the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC).  

Country Context

Recognizing the importance of having an organization with deep local knowledge to serve as NDC Partnership’s national-level interface and facilitate coordination of the NDC implementation in the country, the Kyrgyz Republic joined the NDC Partnership in February 2017 and received technical support from the Governments of Germany, the EU, Sweden, Spain, and Italy in partnership with the UNDP to update its NDC. 

On 24 September 2021, the Kyrgyz Republic approved and submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC Secretariat. According to the updated NDC, the Kyrgyz Republic committed to conditional emissions reduction targets of 36.61% by 2025 and 43.62% by 2030 compared to business as usual. The country also set unconditional emissions reduction targets of 16.63% by 2025 and 15.97% by 2030 compared to business as usual. The revised NDC lists adaptation measures by sector, with qualitative targets to be achieved by 2025. It is expected that the adaptation part of the NDC will be revised in 2025, for the 2026-2030 period. 

The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) has been under development since October 2021, supported by the UNDP-led GCF Readiness Project. The priority sector-focused adaptation plans include disaster and emergency management, health, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and irrigation water. 

On July 21, 2022, under the leadership of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision (MNRETS), the “Technology Needs Assessment” (TNA Project) was launched. This project is funded by the GCF and implemented jointly with the Climate Technology Centre-Network (CTC-N) and UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre. The goal of this project is to conduct a technology needs assessment and develop a technology roadmap of priority technologies to address climate change in critical sectors of the economy. 

On October 19, 2022, the development of the Concept of Kyrgyz Republic's Long Term-Low Emission Development Strategy 2050 (LT-LEDS) was launched. This strategy charts the path for steering the government’s investment in green growth and sustainability.  

As part of Kyrgyz Republic’s effort to implement their NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS the government has requested for a climate finance specialist to support the Climate Finance Center (CFC) and the Climate Change Policy Department (CCPD under MNRETS) for: 

1. Identifying climate finance opportunities and mechanisms for the implementation of climate-resilient and low-carbon sectoral projects; 

2. Preparing a pipeline of projects based on existing priorities stated in climate policies;  

3. Providing strategic insights to CFC and CCPD to engage with donors, climate funds, and MDBs and to strengthen capacities for preparing project concepts aligned to the investment criteria of different funding partners; 

4. extending any other support needed by CFC and CCPD to coordinate with donors and other funding partners.

The Climate Finance Specialist will provide expert advice on the successful implementation of measures identified in the main strategic climate-related documents, such as the NDC Implementation Plan, through access to international climate finance. This role involves the provision of technical and strategic inputs to support the work of the CFC and CCPD in accessing international climate funds and funds from the MDBs in order to implement measures identified in the NDC Implementation Plan and in the updated Climate Investments Plan. This position will contribute to the strengthening of the climate project portfolio of the Kyrgyz Republic. 

The position will involve working with the Cabinet of Ministries of Kyrgyz Republic as well as high-level engagements with donors, climate funds, MDBs, and bilateral donors to identify projects and generate resources for the implementation of the NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS. The Climate Finance Specialist will implement all tasks in close coordination with the NDC Partnership Focal Point, Director CFC, and the NDC Partnership Support Unit. The following responsibilities are part of the Climate Finance Specialist role in the Kyrgyz Republic:

Identifying a pipeline of projects 

1. Prepare a project pipeline by conducting a preliminary assessment of potential investment projects and provide recommendations on them in accordance with the requirements of global climate funds and MDBs. 

2. Guide and oversee the preparation of the draft project concept papers (to be further developed into full concept papers with support from development partners) by local project preparation staff for climate resilient investment projects that funding partners are interested in co-funding with international climate funds, such as the GCF etc.  

3. Assist the government in preparing concept notes to access financing for unfunded priorities based on the updated NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS. 

4. Review the structuring and technical analysis of project concepts and proposals developed by CFC/Project Preparation Facility (PPF) and CCPD. 

1. Identify and track funding opportunities relevant to the NDC implementation as well as climate-resilient and low-carbon sectoral projects and programs. 

2. Facilitate the mobilization of financial and technical resources for the implementation of NDC, NAP, TNA, and LT-LEDS, including the identification of implementing agencies and partners for the developed project concepts.  

3. Ensure that project concepts meet the requirements of possible funders, global climate funds, MDBs, as well as bilateral and multilateral development partners, or a combination of those listed here (e.g., multilateral development partner seeking funding from a global climate fund). 

4. Lead the process of populating and regularly updating Kyrgyz Republic’s monitoring/reporting tool for climate finance. 

1. Monitor and assess financing requirements and gaps for the implementation of NDC, including supporting transparency of support from different development partners. 

2. Collaborate with the Support Unit to document changes in the operating context and provide support to CFC and CCPD and stakeholders in decision-making processes. 

3. Provide strategic insights for identification and development and direct access entities. 

4. Support the Kyrgyz Republic and the NDC Partnership Support Unit in initiating a financing plan for NDCs implementation. 

5. Support CFC and CCPD in identifying potential and appropriate implementing and development partners for each action/priority and identify the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder. 

6. Support CFC and CCPD identification (and subsequent negotiations) of relevant accredited entities for partnership in project development. 

1. Support the strengthening of coordination among different agencies for accessing external climate finance resources. 

2. Work closely with CFC and CCPD to participate in external negotiations and discussions with donors, MDBs, Climate Funds etc. 

3. Support the country in following up on and mobilizing partner support for its needs and priorities (and update those along the way as needed following the government’s guidance) along with a preferred process for coordination of country engagement under the NDC Partnership, as proposed and agreed upon by the Cabinet of Ministries of the Kyrgyz Republic. 

4. Engage with partners in the country to link needs to financial resources in accordance with the NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS, including by providing the government’s inputs on alignment of partners’ country strategies with priorities and gaps identified in the above policy documents;

5. Provide inputs and participate in the NDC Partnership’s conferences, trainings and other activities at the global, regional and national levels that are relevant for project development, financing, and resource mobilization.   

6. Support the in-country facilitator in periodic reporting of donor/partner support to the NDC Partnership 

7. Participate in the NDC Partnership scoping missions to Kyrgyz Republic and support the implementation of its recommendations.  

8. Other support needed by CFC and CCPD to coordinate development partners in the context of project development, financing, and resource mobilization.   

• An advanced degree (Masters or higher) in business, finance, law, public policy, public finance, sustainable development, environment management, or a similar relevant field.

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Required

• At least 5 years of experience working in international development and development finance with a track of structuring, design and implementation of projects in climate change mitigation and adaptation, particularly in energy, waste, agriculture, forestry and other land use, and industry. 

• Familiarity with access modalities, project management frameworks, investment criteria of MDBs and prominent global climate funds such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), The International Climate Initiative (IKI), Mitigation Action Facility (MAF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and/or Adaptation Fund (AF). 

• Willingness and ability to commit to in-country work and travel as required and where possible.

Asset

• Experience in mobilizing resources for the implementation of NDCs. 

• Experience in accessing and structuring finance for climate investments, including technical and financial development, particularly those that engage the private sector and development institutions. 

• Ability to network and develop partnerships across a range of stakeholders and record of accomplishment in managing complex multi-stakeholder strategies and plans. 

• Portfolio management experience, including an understanding of risk mitigation, project planning monitoring, and evaluation.  

• Proficiency in English is required.

• Advanced proficiency in Kyrgyz and/or Russian is required.

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese Mandarin) is an asset.

• 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.