Climate Finance Specialist (Retainer modality, home based in Lome, Togo)

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 is a global coalition advancing the Paris Agreement by strengthening capacity and collaboration for country-owned climate and development action. 

With over 270 members, including over 140 countries and more than 120 institutions, the NDC Partnership aligns partner support behind country priorities, builds shared knowledge and generates evidence to inform effective NDC implementation, sustained investment and higher ambition that drives sustainable development. Working through a country-driven model, countries set the agenda by identifying their NDC priorities, and partners deliver coordinated, high-impact support that increases efficiency and reduces duplication. 

The NDC Partnership has unmatched insight into on-the-ground climate realities, drawn from diverse expertise and collaborative learning across its membership. Grounded in country action, these insights shape the global climate agenda.

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). 

Togo submitted its last Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2021. The overall expected cost for implementing the mitigation measures outlined in the revised NDC, as defined in the investment plan to 2030, is estimated at approximately USD 2.758 billion, while the adaptation objectives require USD 2.779 billion. This reflects a total financing need of about USD 5.537 billion to achieve the overall target of a 50.57% of emissions reduction by 2030.

In June 2026, the country finalized the preparation of NDC 3.0, setting a more ambitious reduction target of 52.1% by 2035. To achieve its climate objectives, the country established the Togo Green Fund (TGF) as a credible institutional financial instrument. The operationalization of the TGF represents a key step in creating an enabling environment for the mobilization of climate finance.

Aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly goals related to clean energy, sustainable cities, and climate action, Togo’s NDC is also embedded within its advanced regionalization framework. This approach aims to unlock regional potential, promote equitable development, and enhance interregional solidarity, contributing to sustainable economic growth and resilience. 

Given the pivotal role of climate finance, Togo’s efforts prioritize developing innovative financial tools, mobilizing public and private investments, and strengthening frameworks such as the green taxonomy, sovereign green bonds, and climate budgeting. These initiatives will ensure that the TGF and NDC objectives are met effectively and contribute to the global goal of limiting temperature rise. 

In this context, the assignment should also support the consolidation of a national climate finance pipeline, the alignment of priority projects with appropriate financing instruments and fund requirements, and the strengthening of coordination between the Togo Green Fund, relevant ministries, development partners and private-sector actors.

*This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 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 Togo or have a valid residence or work permit in Togo.

****Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Climate Finance Specialist will act as a seasoned professional, independently managing projects and programs related to climate finance mobilization and implementation in Togo. The incumbent will adapt existing policies and approaches to meet emerging needs, provide authoritative advice on established policies and procedures, and solve complex problems by applying existing rules. This role is crucial for supporting the Togo Green Fund (TGF) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest Resources, Coastal protection and Climate Change (MERFPCCC), and the Ministry of Finance and Budget (MFB) in mobilizing financial resources for mitigation and adaptation projects, ensuring the successful implementation of Togo’s climate finance strategies, and strengthening institutional capacity and partnerships.

1. Enhance access to Climate Finance Sources:

• Research and identify potential sources of climate finance, including government grants, international climate funds, private sector investments, and other relevant funding mechanisms;
• Provide expert guidance on mobilizing international climate finance and support leveraging private sector investments;
• Evaluate the eligibility and suitability of different climate finance sources for specific projects in Togo.
• Collaborate with the NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator, key sectors and the National Climate Directorate to construct a list of key projects documents for NDC implementation;
• Draft and share a monthly progress report comprising work plan for next month. The report will be shared with the MERFPCCC/TGF, the MFB and the NDC Partnership Support Unit.
• Organize consultation meetings with key sectors and actors, to discuss the NDC priorities, and identify key actions and support in order to the preparation of relevant sectoral portfolios and projects for climate change issues integration.
• Ensure a continuous support to key stakeholders to prepare concept Notes for identified priority projects and support to identify potential sources for financing of the projects, including domestic sources, and international institutions.

2. Support the MERFPCCC/TGF and work closely with the MFB:

• Provide technical assistance and policy recommendations for the MERFPCCC/TGF and enhance the coordination with the initiatives led by the MFB Climate Unit, particularly on:
• Green taxonomy development.
• Sovereign green bonds.
• Climate-related pricing and budget programming.
• Sectoral planning for climate financing.
• Advise and assist in the design of innovative financial mechanisms for priority projects from the updated NDC (2025-2035), collaborating with national and international partners, public and private.

3. Support accessing Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness grants:

• Support the preparation and submission of funding proposals for climate-related projects aligned with Togo's NDC3.0 and other aligned climate policies;
• Enhance Readiness activities for accessing GCF funding, in harmony and alignment with GCF readiness ongoing support;
• Improvement of projects’ documents (concept notes, projects proposal), to ensure more alignments with financial institutions’ requirements and procedures;
• Develop concept notes for flagship projects within the national climate project pipeline.
• Develop and submit at least two (2) proposals to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) tailored to Togo’s climate priorities from the country program and NDC 3.0 of Togo;

4. Operationalization of the Climate Finance Working Group:

• Provide strategic and technical advice to establish and streamline the operations of Togo’s institutional Climate Finance Working Group involving also concerned partners for coordination purposes.
• Create a report outlining the operational framework for the Climate Finance Working Group, comprising a work plan for the upcoming 2 years.
• A summary report at the end of the assignment, reporting on the results delivered, lessons learned and recommendations for a follow up support (technical assistance, capacity building, partnerships development, etc) is expected. Sub-deliverables will be determined and adapted to the MERFPCCC/TGF and MFB needs and should be listed under the monthly report after a work plan established with government focal points and the Country Engagement Specialist.

5. Develop and maintain a climate finance pipeline and resource mobilization strategy:

• Identify and prioritize financing opportunities for the national portfolio of climate projects, including grants, concessional finance, guarantees, blended finance, private investment and public-private partnerships.
• Assess the financing readiness, eligibility, additionality, co-financing potential and financial structuring needs of priority projects, and recommend the most appropriate financing pathway.
• Develop and maintain a financing matrix mapping priority projects to potential funding sources, instruments, eligibility requirements, timelines and next steps.
• Support the preparation of 2 concept notes, project proposals, investment cases, financing strategies and other documents required by climate funds and development finance institutions.
• Track funding opportunities, calls for proposals, pipeline status and resource mobilization results, and provide regular recommendations to the MERFPCCC/TGF and MFB.

6. Strengthen partnerships and co-financing:

• Support engagement with bilateral and multilateral development partners, international climate funds, financial institutions, institutional investors and private-sector partners to secure co-financing and complementary investments.
• Identify opportunities for blended finance and private-sector participation in priority climate investments and support the preparation of partnership and co-financing arrangements.

7. Strengthen institutional capacity and knowledge management:

• Develop practical tools, templates and guidance for climate finance project development and resource mobilization, and organize targeted capacity-building sessions for relevant national stakeholders.
• Establish a simple system for tracking proposals, financing commitments, co-financing, donor engagement and lessons learned.

Required

• Master's degree (or equivalent) preferably in finance, environmental economics or related fields with 5 years of relevant experience OR

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) preferably in any of the above or related fields with 2 additional years of relevant experience is required

Required

• Relevant experience is work in in the public and/or private sector with a focus on climate change, project management, stakeholder and donor engagement and/or preparation of cross-cutting work plan /proposal development or related areas.

• Experience in multilateral, national and grassroots governance and processes related to climate change, policy and/or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). 

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

• Working knowledge of GCF readiness and project cycle processes, and familiarity with other relevant climate finance mechanisms such as the GEF and Adaptation Fund. 

Desired

• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (CoP), NDC and past experience on government climate change process

• Experience of other national contexts that indirectly contribute to climate change is desirable.

• Ability to foster formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders.

• Strong knowledge of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) processes and requirements.

• Proven expertise in developing green finance instruments (e.g., green bonds, taxonomies, carbon markets, etc.)

• Experience with multilateral and bilateral climate/environment funds and development finance institutions, including proposal development, fund requirements, donor engagement and co-financing mobilization.

• Experience in financial structuring, blended finance, public-private partnerships, investment planning or financial modelling for climate-related projects.

• Demonstrated ability to translate project pipelines into bankable/investable financing opportunities and to coordinate multiple public and private stakeholders.

• Knowledge of national climate finance architecture and experience supporting a national climate fund or equivalent financing mechanism would be an advantage.

  
  

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