In Country Facilitator (Home based Retainer) Maseru, Lesotho

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

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. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.

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, bringing together more than 260 members, including more than 140 countries, developed and developing, and more than 110 institutions to deliver on ambitious climate action that helps achieve the Paris Agreement and drive sustainable development. Governments identify their NDC implementation priorities and the type of support that is needed to translate them into actionable policies and programs. Based on these requests, the membership offers a tailored package of expertise, technical assistance and funding. This collaborative response provides developing countries with efficient access to a wide range of resources to adapt to and mitigate climate change and foster more equitable and sustainable development. The NDC Partnership Support Unit is jointly hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC). For this project, the Consultant will be contracted through UNOPS.

Lesotho faces increasing climate and environmental challenges, including recurrent droughts, flooding, rising temperatures, and land degradation, which are placing growing pressure on water resources, agriculture, food security, human settlements, and the local economy. As a land-locked and highly climate-vulnerable country with a heavy reliance on climate-sensitive sectors, these impacts are exacerbating socio-economic vulnerability, particularly among rural communities. The challenges are further compounded by limited institutional capacity, data gaps, and the need for strengthened coordination across ministries and stakeholders to support effective climate action.

Lesotho submitted its Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 2.0) in February 2025 and has expressed its intention to update this to NDC 3.0 in 2026. The NDC update process is expected to align with Lesotho’s national development priorities and long-term climate ambitions, including Vision 2030 objectives, the Extended National Strategic Development Plan II (NSDP II), the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and its Financing Strategy (once completed), the forthcoming Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS), the National Climate Change Policy (2017–2027), and international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union Agenda 2063, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Priority mitigation sectors under the current NDC include energy, AFOLU, IPPU, and waste, alongside a strong focus on adaptation in water, agriculture and food security, land management and land-use planning, human settlements, and the local economy.

The In-Country Facilitator will support the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, working closely with the Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS) as well as the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, in their roles as focal points for the NDC Partnership. The Facilitator will be responsible for strengthening national coordination for NDC implementation, supporting resource mobilisation efforts, and tracking progress across mitigation and adaptation actions including supporting development and/ or strengthening of systems to monitor progress against NDC targets. The Facilitator will also contribute to strengthening institutional and technical capacity in climate data management, policy development, and emissions tracking. as well as providing training and technical guidance to national stakeholders. The role will also support the Partnership focal points in their day-to-day engagement with national stakeholders, development partners, and technical processes related to NDC implementation, and the development of NDC 3.0, and the LT-LEDS.

The embedded facilitator will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and will work in close collaboration with the different ministerial offices and the National Climate Change Committee. 

• This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on availability of funds. 

• This is a Homebased position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from the government facilities. Therefore, the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software. 

• As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of Lesotho or have a valid residence permit in Lesotho. 

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The incumbent will serve as the NDC Partnership’s primary interface in the country, acting as a liaison between the Government of Lesotho and other members of the NDC Partnership. The role is primarily one of coordination and supportive facilitation. The In-Country Facilitator plays a critical role in ensuring the effective implementation of the NDC Partnership Support Unit’s Country Engagement process by strengthening coordination among the Support Unit, Partnership members, and the Government of Lesotho. The role is expected to provide facilitation support across several key areas, including policy development and advisory services, capacity‑building initiatives for relevant institutions, and the development and strengthening of measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) frameworks. In addition, the role will contribute to knowledge management and reporting by systematically documenting lessons learned and best practices to inform continuous improvement and support evidence‑based climate action. Furthermore, the role is designed to support the Ministry of Environment and Forestry through the Lesotho Meteorological Services. 

1. Coordination and communication with key stakeholders

• Ensure that communications relevant to NDC Partnership engagement are shared with relevant national, international, and local level stakeholders.
• Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in the country, with the aim of leveraging and mobilizing their respective advantages in support of the Implementation Plan, request for support letters or equivalent instruments. To this end, usage of existing government coordination mechanisms shall be prioritized.
• Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the Implementation Plan, or equivalent instrument, with stakeholders.

2. Operationalization of NDC Implementation Plan

• Collaborate with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and the Focal Points to manage and update the Plan in the Online Tool, ensuring information remains up to date and accessible for key stakeholders. When an Online does not exist yet, support the transition to the online tool if the government is seeking its use.
• Identify implementing and development partners, compile and periodically update their contact details (name of focal point, email address, telephone number) and follow up with them regarding their contribution to the Implementation Plan or equivalent instrument.
• When applicable, contribute to the development of the Implementation Plan Narrative and its validation by the government.

3. Facilitation of NDC Implementation Plan implementation

• Create an Annual Work Plan that sets out specific goals for the facilitator role in collaboration with the Country Engagement Specialist and Focal Point.
• Collaborate with the Support Unit to document changes in the operating context and provide support to the government and stakeholders in decision-making processes and new developments with respect to the Implementation Plan, equivalent instrument and its enabling environment.

4. Mobilization of resources for implementation

• Support the government in following up on and mobilizing partner financing to close its support gaps to allow for NDC implementation as per the Implementation Plan or an equivalent instrument.
• Update government needs and priorities for NDC implementation. When Implementation Plans are available, these should be regularly updated.
• Work with the Support Unit to produce an overview of support gaps to make available to partners.
• Engage with partners, including at the local/subnational level, to link needs to services and resources in accordance with Lesotho’s NDC and Implementation Plan (once developed).
• Assist the government in coordinating with key donors, partners, and funding mechanisms on aligning country programs and projects with the needs and gaps identified in the Implementation Plan, other planning / coordination instruments, as applicable, and requests for support.
• Assist and provide guidance to International and Development Partners to align climate projects and programmatic objectives with the Implementation Plan or other support planning / coordination instruments as applicable.

5. Tracking of Implementation Plan and Investment Plan implementation progress

• Monitor and assess implementation of the Implementation Plan and coordinate periodic reporting of partners to the NDC Partnership.
• Prepare quarterly country update reports summarizing key insights and progress updates, challenges, and recommendations for the way forward.
• Assess progress outcomes of the NDC Partnership in-country engagement and make recommendations for adjustments.

6. Organize and support NDC-related meetings as needed

• If requested, facilitate national country specific multi-stakeholder NDC dialogues.
• Support the government in preparing for NDC-related events such as COPs, regional climate weeks, national events, and other convenings relevant to showcase NDC progress and generate support for implementation of the NDC.
• Organize coordination meetings between the Support Unit and the government as needed.

Required

• Master’s degree or equivalent in public policy, development, climate change, natural resource management, environmental management, or any other relevant field of study with 5 years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (7 total) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. 

Required

• At least 5 years’ experience in public and/or private sector with a focus on climate change, project management, stakeholder and donor engagement and/or preparation of cross-cutting workplan/proposal development or any related field.
• Experience in multilateral, national and grassroot governance and processes related to climate change, policy and/or Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
• Knowledge of Lesotho’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change.

Desired

• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (CoP), NDC and experience on government climate change processes.
• Experience working closely with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry through LMS as well as Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
•  Experience of other national contexts that contribute to climate change.
• Ability to foster formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
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• 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. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
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