NDC Partnership Climate Finance Expert (Technical Specialist - Environmental) – Morocco (Homebased, 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).

To support mobilizing financial resources for mitigation and adaptation projects, Morocco seeks to mobilize a climate finance expert to assist the Climate change and Biodiversity Direction (DCDB) of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development (MTEDD), and work closely with the Climate Unite of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). 

The expert will help enhance Morocco’s climate finance access, he/she should play a pivotal role in bridging technical capacities gap, provide specialized expertise and assist in advancing national climate finance related strategies and initiatives.

The expert will work closely with the MTEDD and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to align efforts and ensure the successful implementation of Morocco climate finance strategies. He/she will also ensure coordination with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and the Partnership in-country Facilitator.  

This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with the possibility of an extension.

The following responsibilities are part of the expert role to support the formulation and implementation of climate finance mechanisms in Morocco, specifically through the following key actions: 

Enhance access to Climate Finance Sources: 

• Research and identify potential sources of climate finance, including government grants, international climate funds, private sector investments, and other relevant funding mechanisms. 

• Provide expert guidance on mobilizing international climate finance and support leveraging private sector investments. 

• Evaluate the eligibility and suitability of different climate finance sources for specific projects in Morocco.

• Support the sectorial investment plan for NDC 3.0 projects.

• Draft and share a monthly progress report comprising work plan for next month. The report will be shared with the MTEDD, the MEF and the NDC Partnership Support Unit.

Support the MTEDD and work closely with the MEF/Climate Unit: 

• Provide technical assistance and policy recommendations for the MTEDD and enhance the coordination with the initiatives led by the MEF Climate Unit, particularly on: 

  • Green taxonomy development. 

  • Sovereign green bonds. 

  • Climate-related pricing and budget programming. 

  • Sectoral planning for climate financing. 

• Advise and assist in the design of innovative financial mechanisms for priority projects from the updated NDC (2025-2035), collaborating with national and international partners, public and private.

Support accessing Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness grants: 

• Support the preparation and submission of funding proposals for climate-related projects aligned with Morocco's NDC3.0 and other aligned climate policies. 

• Enhance Readiness activities for accessing GCF funding, in harmony and alignment with GCF readiness ongoing support.

• Develop 1 to 2 proposals to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) tailored to Morocco’s climate priorities from the country program and NDC 3.0 of Morocco.

Operationalization of the Climate Finance Working Group: 

• Provide strategic and technical advice to establish and streamline the operations of Morocco’s institutional Climate Finance Working Group involving also concerned partners for coordination purposes.

• Create a report outlining the operational framework for the Climate Finance Working Group, comprising a work plan for the upcoming 2 years.  

A summary report at the end of the assignment, reporting on the results delivered, lessons learned and recommendations for a follow up support (technical assistance, capacity building, partnerships development, etc) is expected. Sub-deliverables will be determined and adapted to the MTEDD and MEF needs and should be listed under the monthly report after a work plan established with government focal points and the Country Engagement Specialist.

• Advanced degree (Master or equivalent) preferably in finance, environmental economics, or a related field.

• Bachelor’s degree in a similar field and two additional years of experience (7 years in total).

Required

• With a Master’s degree, minimum of 5 years of experience in climate finance, projects financial structuring, and engagement with international funding mechanisms. 

• Knowledge of the country’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change is required.

Assets

• Strong knowledge of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) processes and requirements. 

• Proven expertise in developing green finance instruments (e.g., green bonds, taxonomies, carbon markets, etc). 

• Proficiency in French and English is required. 

• 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.