Background Information - Job-specific
UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. 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. The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of the UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.
The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services, UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), and the Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio. It provides services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.
UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations to implement defined activities in support of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has established a new Climate Innovation Section whose work will focus, inter alia, on: developing innovative solutions and approaches to risk-based financing for climate-related disasters; promoting, designing and improving anticipatory action frameworks; mainstreaming anticipatory approaches into humanitarian and national systems; and engagement with donors and other stakeholders to promote the role of humanitarian instruments in the global climate finance architecture.
Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The project is seeking to recruit a Portfolio Advisor (Climate) to help improve the way that OCHA’s systems and processes align with climate finance requirements, and to provide strategic advice on engagement with partners scaling investments of climate finance in fragile contexts. The incumbent needs to be self-motivated and be able to thrive in an international, multidisciplinary team. The right candidate has the skills to work independently and with a team to guide engagement with stakeholders to promote, refine and improve delivery of OCHA’s climate action portfolio, including the United Nations' Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) Climate Action Account, across a diverse audience. The right candidate takes initiative where needed, and demonstrates problem-solving skills. The candidate is also expected to provide advice on further operationalization of OCHA’s climate action portfolio including through engagement with relevant stakeholders, and specifically to advise on delivery and performance; monitoring and reporting; and quality assurance. The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.
Functional Responsibilities
The incumbent will report to the Senior Programme Manager, under the overall direction of OCHA´s Climate Innovation Section Chief. The incumbent will be expected to work closely with relevant OCHA teams at the HQ, regional, and country levels.
The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
Reporting and communications
Strengthen monitoring and reporting of OCHA climate-related programs, ensuring systems and reporting align with climate finance requirements of donors and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Provide strategic advice to develop the relevant monitoring and reporting, compliance and quality assurance tools to algin OCHA’s delivery with climate finance requirements. Contribute to internal and external policy position papers, business plans, communication products and internal briefing notes.Programmatic inputs and policy
Identify and support new and existing programming opportunities related to climate, including for the CERF Climate Action Account by advising on and supporting engagement with funding partners that are in engaged in the climate/development/humanitarian nexus . Support delivery and performance of the CERF Climate Action Account; strengthening quality assurance of CERF Climate Action Account by providing guidance on fund attribution, indicators, reporting, impact stories and ensuring adherence to relevant norms and reporting requirements for climate finance.Partnerships
Guide engagement with new partners aimed at channeling additional climate finance to build resilience to extreme weather events in fragile contexts. Facilitate technical exchanges between OCHA-managed pooled funds and new public and private-sector partners, to seek new opportunities for alignment of objectives and outcomes, and system-wide coherence in responding to climate-related threats. Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.
Female Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Candidates with no United Nations or UNOPS experience are strongly encouraged to apply. a. Education
An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent), preferably in international relations, humanitarian affairs, diplomacy, public health, engineering, business administration, finance, or a related field, with seven (7) years of relevant experience is required; OR, A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree or equivalent), preferably in international relations, humanitarian affairs, diplomacy, public health, engineering, business administration, finance, or in a related field, with nine (9) years of relevant experience is required.b. Work Experience
Required
Relevant experience is defined as experience in climate finance, humanitarian action, policy development, humanitarian finance, and/or other related areas. Field experience in humanitarian and/or development contexts is required.Desirable
Experience working with donor governments is highly desirable. Experience in resource mobilization is desirable.c. Languages
Fluency in English (reading, writing, speaking) is required. Knowledge of at least one additional official UN language is an asset. CompetenciesContract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA-3) or Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA-11) - ICS11 Contract duration: Ongoing contract (subject to good performance, availability of funds, organizational requirements and project duration).
Even though the level of the position is indicated as IICA-3, depending on the incumbent's personal situation (candidate with national ID or resident permit), a local fee scale (LICA-11) might be applied in determining the contractor's fee. For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information
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
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.