Transparency Senior Project Manager

The United Nations Office for Project Services (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 organizations.  With over 8,000 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.

The UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC) was established in early 2022. UNEP-CCC is programmatically guided by UN Environment (UNEP) and operationally supported by UNOPS. UNEP-CCC was established to ensure preservation and continuation of the experience and capacity established through a 30-year working relationship between UNEP, DTU, and the MFA, known as the UNEP DTU Partnership (UDP). 

UNEP-CCC is a leading international advisory institution on energy, climate and sustainable development. Its work focuses on assisting developing countries and emerging economies transition towards more low carbon development paths and supports integration of climate-resilience in national development. UNEP-CCC is actively engaged in implementing UN Environment’s Medium-Term Strategy by delivering technical assistance and analytical work to emerging markets and developing countries in context of the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. The Centre is an integral part of a new Climate Change Division working closely with UNEP colleagues in Nairobi and Paris. 

The Mitigation Analysis and Data Management Section (MA&DM) is one of five sections at UNEP-CCC. MA&DM works on supporting countries in identifying and implementing cost-effective mitigation policies and actions in different sectors, as well as strengthening countries´ capacities to use tools and establish national frameworks to assess climate actions in the context of their NDCs and report on their progress. In addition, MA&DM promotes sharing experience and raising awareness globally on climate change mitigation through the compilation of key GHG data and through the development of global mitigation assessments such as the UNEP Emissions Gap report.

MA&DM section is involved in several projects that support the Centre strategy in the areas of mitigation policy planning and transparency. MA&DM seeks to recruit an experienced Transparency Project Manager. The successful candidate will be part of the team implementing projects related to the Enhanced Transparency Framework, such as the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) and - its Global Support Programme (CBIT- GSP). This project is a Global Environmental Facility’s (GEF) funded project, implemented by UNEP and executed by UNEP-CCC. The candidate is expected to strengthen the visibility of the section’s transparency work in international fora and contribute to analytical work and publications.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Unit, The Transparency Senior Project Manager will have the following tasks and responsibilities :

• Manage the project activities and deliver science-based advice on the assessment of needs and implementation of climate transparency systems primarily at a national level with global and sub-national elements.

• Coordinates the implementation of the transparency project including project management and coordination, partnership development, data generation, quantitative and qualitative analysis, 

• Contribute to the fundraising activities, and proposal development in collaboration with other Centre staff as well as other relevant colleagues across UNEP.

• Contribute to the work and strategic discussion of the MA&DM Section by providing scientific advice and technical inputs to the climate transparency and accountability area.

• In collaboration with the head of Unit, develop and implement the strategy of the UNEP-CCC in particular in the area of climate transparency and accountability.

• Follow the process of international negotiations in the UNFCCC and respective decisions related to reporting of non-Annex 1 Parties and particularly in relation to the Paris Rulebook.

• Coordinate the implementation of project activities and submission of progress, monitoring, financial or other reports as may be required by UNEP, GEF and other donors or oversight agencies.

• Ensure that project activities are in line with guidance provided by the CoP of the UNFCCC and contribute to the improvement of the UNFCCC reporting process and decisions relevant to Article 13 of the Paris Agreement. 

• Engage directly with developing countries representatives under the projects and provide them with sound technical backstopping on all different topics on MRV and Transparency, including not limited to, elaboration of greenhouse gas inventories, development of emission mitigation scenarios, establishment of MRV systems, support to NDC tracking, establishment of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for adaptation.

• Organize and lead, when appropriate, the provision of technical in person and virtual workshops and training.

• Provide guidance and technical advice on the design and establishment of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification frameworks under UNEP-CCC projects to support the implementation of the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement, ensuring coordination across relevant sections and with relevant units in UNEP. 

• Lead the development of knowledge products for Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification frameworks under the Enhanced Transparency Framework, ensuring coordination among projects and with other activities in the strategy area of climate transparency.

• Ensure that all project-related materials—including workshop materials, publications, advisory reports, and other knowledge products—promote access to information and do not provide guidance that could lead to social and/or environmental risks.

Education 

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Environmental studies/Engineering/ Economics/Climate change mitigation or a related field is required.

• A PhD degree with a thesis related to climate change mitigation will be a strong asset.

• A first-level degree (Bachelor’s Degree  or equivalent) in the related areas with an additional two (2) years of  experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master's degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in the climate change mitigation area with proven experience in climate transparency is required.

• Experience working with international and multilateral organizations will be an asset.

• Experience of working with emerging markets and developing countries is an asset.

• Experience of working in Energy or related energy is an asset. 

• Knowledge and experience with the development of national GHG inventory or with any methodologies for estimating GHG impacts of policies and actions will be an asset.

• Knowledge of Measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) and transparency frameworks, including GHG inventory development.

• Strong Knowledge of the UNFCCC processes and the international climate governance related to mitigation and transparency, in particular on provisions in relevant articles of the Paris Agreement (Articles 4, 6, and 13) is a strong asset.

• Fluency in English is required.

• Fluency in Spanish and/or French is an advantage.

Contract type: International ICA
Contract level: IICA 3 / ICS11
Contract duration:12 months initially, renewable subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

• 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. 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.