General Information
Job Highlight
About the Region
The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS' strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.
About the Country/Multi-Country Office
As part of the Global Portfolios Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR.
Job Specific Context
At UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre, the Technology – Transitions and System Innovation (TTSI) Section works at the forefront of climate action, supporting countries in accelerating the transfer and uptake of technologies for both climate mitigation and adaptation. We help governments identify technology needs, overcome barriers, and create enabling environments that foster innovation, private sector engagement, and local development.
Our aim is to drive systemic change by building frameworks that enable technology uptake and market creation in developing country contexts. To achieve this, we implement projects, provide scientific and technical advisory services, develop methodologies, and strengthen capacities. We also deliver policy advice and promote knowledge sharing to scale solutions that reduce emissions and enhance resilience to climate impacts.
Joining our team means contributing to transformative initiatives that connect technology, markets, and policy to deliver real-world climate solutions.
Role Purpose
The Project Officer will join a team of 7 colleagues and will work under the leadership of the Head of the TTSI Section and with other colleagues in the section. The Project Officer will contribute to the work in the areas of climate technology, transitions and innovation systems.
The main responsibilities of the Project Officer will be to contribute to and support the successful implementation of the TNA project in its daily operations under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with other members of project team. This will include a range of activities, including support to project management and coordination, communication and outreach, analytical work and contribution to knowledge products. Depending on the successful Project Officer’s previous work experience and background, contribution to, for example, capacity-building and trainings, will also be relevant. In addition, the Project Officer will support the collaboration with the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism.
Functions / Key Results Expected
The Project Officer will be engaged in the following activities:
- Support coordination of daily project activities, including administrative and contractual tasks, for the TNA project in close collaboration with the Project Manager.
- Assist in organizing, developing, and delivering workshops, trainings, webinars, and other events, including administrative tasks related to travel, procurement, workshops, meetings, etc.
- Update and maintain database.
- Contribute to the development of knowledge products and capacity-building materials.
- Carry out communication and outreach activities, including through preparation of presentations, news pieces, and other communication products.
- Support the maintenance of the www.tech-action.unepccc.org website, an online knowledge-sharing platform, by generating and updating content.
- Contribute to the implementation of UNEP-CCC’s and UNEP’s strategies, particularly in the area of climate technology, transitions and innovation systems.
The incumbent will be evaluated against performance criteria including the following:
Level of contribution to project objectives
Level of internal collaboration in UNEP-CCC and with other parts of UNEP
Level of contribution to resource mobilization, partnership building and maintenance, and networking
Level of contribution to the strategic discussions as part of the TTSI section, UNEP-CCC, and UNEP
Level of contribution to the UNOPS core competencies (see below)
Skills
Competencies
Education Requirements
Required
-
An advanced university degree (Master`s degree or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as for example in Engineering / Economics / Environmental Management / Sustainable Development, preferably with a thesis related to climate change, sustainable development, technology transfer and innovation systems.
A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required as a minimum, with at least two (2) years of relevant professional experience. A Master’s degree is desirable and may substitute for part or all of the required years of experience.
Experience Requirements
Required:
Professional Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience in climate change, sustainable development, or related areas is required.
Project Support experience with demonstrated ability to assist in project coordination, administration, and reporting is required.
Desired:
Understanding of international climate frameworks (e.g., UNFCCC) and climate policies at national or international levels is desirable.
Communication and Collaboration: Strong organizational skills and ability to work effectively in a multicultural team environment.
Experience working with stakeholders from developing countries and emerging economies.
Experience working in an international institution.
Exposure to technology solutions for climate action.
Language Requirements
| Language | Proficiency Level | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| English | Fluent | Required |
| French | Fluent | Desirable |
| Spanish | Fluent | Desirable |
Additional Information
- Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
- Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
- Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. 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.
- For more details about the contract types, please click 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.