NDCP Climate Finance Specialist (Technical Specialist - Environmental) - Fiji (Retainer, Homebased)

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).The NDC Partnership works in close collaboration with the Pacific Regional NDC Hub.

Country Context

Fiji is a member of the NDC Partnership and as part of Paris Agreement, Fiji has submitted its first Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2015 committing to reduce its Green House Gas emissions (GHG) by 30% by 2030 with major focus in energy sector. Building on to the target, Fiji’s NDC Implementation Roadmap in 2017 focuses on electricity and transportation sector. Fiji's NDCs are based on the energy sector and the Roadmap focuses on three energy subsectors and highlights short (2018-2020), medium (2021-2025) and long (2026-2030) term actions required in these subsectors to achieve the 30 % emissions reduction target.

Fiji submitted an updated NDC in 2020. The updated NDC confirmed Fiji’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2050 while reaffirming to achieve 30% Business as Usual (BAU) emissions reduction from a Business as Usual (BAU) scenario. Of the 30% reduction of BAU baseline carbon dioxide emissions, Fiji envisions to achieve 10% emission reductions which will be achieved “unconditionally” using available resources in the country and 20% achieved “conditionally “and further committed to reduce domestic maritime shipping emissions by 40% . It also aims to derive 100% of national electricity production from renewable energy sources by 2030.

Fiji has published its NDC Investment Plan in 2022 that entails program pipelines for the transport (land, maritime, and aviation) and energy efficiency sectors. The NDC Investment Plan identifies options for low carbon development and possible financing options. Based on these options, the most promising investment opportunities will be further developed into a project pipeline of concept notes. This plan is our bridge between climate policy-makers and investors, providing all multilateral and bilateral partners and private sector stakeholders the clear, confidence-boosting signal they need to invest in Fiji in support of our transition towards a low carbon economy consistent with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5-degree guardrail.

Fiji is in the process of developing its NDC3.0, with the intention of submission by end of 2025. Fiji is also preparing for next steps after submission, including planning for the development of a Costed Implementation Plan.

The Climate Finance Specialist is specifically tasked with operationalizing Fiji's climate finance ambitions as articulated in its NDC and related national strategies. This will be achieved by providing targeted expertise and leadership to enhance the capabilities and capacity of the Climate Finance Unit (CFU) within the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. The core function of the specialist is to support the CFU in identifying, structuring, and attracting finance for decarbonisation projects that align with Fiji's NDC, thereby directly contributing to the acceleration of project implementation and strengthening national capacity in climate finance project development and execution.

A primary responsibility of the Climate Finance Specialist shall be to translate Fiji's high-level climate goals into concrete, bankable, and investment-ready project pipelines. This involves rigorous technical and financial structuring of potential decarbonisation initiatives across key sectors. The specialist will guide the CFU in developing detailed project documentation, including robust financial models and feasibility studies, that meet the stringent requirements of international climate funds, multilateral development banks, and private sector investors. The focus is on creating de-risked project proposals that clearly articulate climate impact, financial viability, and implementation readiness to unlock necessary capital flows.

In executing this mandate, the Climate Finance Specialist shall proactively leverage and build upon Fiji's existing, policy and strategic frameworks. This includes ensuring all project development and financing efforts are fully aligned with the objectives and pathways identified in the National Climate Finance Strategy, NDC Investment Roadmap, Low Emissions Development Strategy, National Adaptation Plan 2.0, and the overarching National Development Plan. The specialist is required to integrate these national priorities into the practical steps of project preparation and financial structuring, ensuring coherence and maximizing the impact of climate finance interventions. Furthermore, a critical task of the Climate Finance Specialist is to explore and implement innovative strategies for mobilizing domestic financial resources to complement international climate finance. Recognizing the significant pent-up liquidity within the Fijian financial sector (exceeding 1.9 billion Fijian Dollars), the specialist will design and structure blended finance solutions that effectively combine domestic capital with international public and private finance. This includes investigating and proposing mechanisms such as sovereign thematic bonds, targeted fiscal incentives or taxation solutions, and the establishment or utilization of de-risking and credit guarantee mechanisms to channel local investment towards climate-aligned projects.

The specialist shall execute their duties in a highly collaborative manner, ensuring effective coordination with relevant government agencies and stakeholders. A key requirement is to leverage existing technical and support roles embedded in other ministries and entities, thereby avoiding duplication of efforts and maximizing the efficient use of national resources. The overarching objective is to provide focused, expert support that empowers the CFU and facilitates the flow of finance required to operationalize Fiji's ambitious decarbonisation plans and transform national climate aspirations into funded, implemented projects on the ground.

Required

• With a Master’s degree, at least 5 years’ experience in either international development, development finance, public finance, climate change mitigation and adaptation, project management, or any related field;

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

Asset 

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

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

• Proficiency in English

• 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. 

• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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.