Senior Technical Officer (Home based Retainer) - Nairobi, Kenya

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 120 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.

The African Designated Authorities Network (AfDAN) is a continental platform that brings together National Designated Authorities (NDAs), focal points, and other climate finance actors from African countries to coordinate on access and enhanced mobilization of climate finance at scale to Africa in line with Article 7 of the Paris Agreement. The network will, among other things, expand the coherence of African climate finance positions with needs and priority actions that are locally led. 

The National Treasury of Kenya is the current lead of AfDAN, leading engagement with DNAs across the continent and building capacity of DNAs to effectively access international climate funds and strengthen Africa’s leadership in climate finance mobilization and governance. 

As part of its institutional support to the National Treasury, the NDC Partnership is supporting AfDAN with enhanced capacity through the position of a Senior Technical Officer. Under the direction of the National Treasury, the Officer will support AfDAN to operationalize its institutional and governance framework, strengthen coordination mechanisms among NDAs and focal points, guide the implementation and monitoring of the Strategic Plan, and mobilize and align resources for Africa’s climate finance priorities. 

The embedded Senior Technical Officer will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and will work in close collaboration with the Partnership’s focal point in the National Treasury of the Government of Kenya. 

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

• This is a Home based 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 Kenya or have a valid residence permit in Kenya. 

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The purpose of the AfDAN Senior Technical Officer role is to enhance the capacity and coordination between NDAs and focal points to international climate funds across African countries, support the implementation and monitoring of the AfDAN Strategic Plan (2025-2030), develop and foster partnerships and communicate AfDAN activities within regional and global dialogues. 

1. AfDAN Institutional Strengthening

• Facilitate the governance, and operational institutionalization of AfDAN.
• Provide technical support in developing the Secretariat operational policies and manuals.
• Support establishment and operationalization of AfDAN’s regional hubs.
• Provide technical input to AfDAN Steering Committee and governance structures.

2. Strategic Plan Operationalization

• Support in developing an Implementation and Results Framework for AfDAN’s Strategic Plan.
• Prepare annual work plans and budgets aligned with the Strategic Plan.
• Support the development and data collection for the AfDAN Strategic Plan Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system.

3. Resource Mobilization and Partnerships

• Design a Resource Mobilization and Partnership Plan.
• Facilitate engagement with climate funds including Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, Global Environment Facility, or Climate Investment Fund.
• Develop bankable proposals aligned with AfDAN’s strategic pillars.
• Coordinate with NDC Partnership members and partners to align support.

4. Capacity Building and Knowledge Management

• Develop and roll out a Capacity Building Program for NDAs, Direct Access Entities, and Focal Points.
• Support operationalization of the Green Finance Centre of Excellence.
• Curate and disseminate best practices and knowledge products.

5. Communication, Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop a Communication and Visibility Plan for AfDAN.
• Support high-level dialogues and advocacy events.
• Strengthen partnerships with AU institutions, RECs, and global climate finance bodies.

Required

• Master’s degree in Climate Finance, Environmental Policy, Development Economics, International relations, Strategic Planning or related field. OR
• A Bachelor’s degree with two additional years of work (4 total) experience can be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree

Desired

• A specialized training or certification in Climate Finance, Green Growth, Disaster Financing or related field is an added advantage. 

Required

• A minimum of two years of experience in institutional strengthening, climate finance governance, and strategic planning, with at least two years of specific experience in climate finance within Kenya.
• Proven experience in facilitating regional coordination and stakeholder engagement. 
• Demonstrated ability to engage with governments, private sector, and international partners. 
• Demonstrated expertise in developing MEL systems and resource mobilization

Desired

• Demonstrated previous work experience with the NDAs, Climate Funds or similar organizations is an added advantage.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• 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. 
• 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.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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.