Climate Finance Specialist (Home based Retainer) - Mbabane, Eswatini

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.

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

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 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). 

The Kingdom of Eswatini is considered one of the most climatically vulnerable and exposed countries in the Southern African region. Some of the key climatic challenges include significant variations in precipitation patterns, higher temperatures, and increases in the frequency and intensity of severe weather events such as droughts, floods and cyclones. Consequently, the country has been facing increasing intensity and frequency of climate-induced disasters, in particular the sustained and pressing drought conditions, with direct impacts on rain-fed agriculture and other sectors of the economy. Climate change is considered a priority concern for Eswatini and all climate actions are undertaken within the context of the country’s national and regional development priorities, objectives and circumstances.

The country is well aware of its prevailing and future climate challenges and has identified agriculture and food security, water, tourism, and the ecosystem as the key vulnerable sectors. Over time, several key policy developments and institutional strengthening measures, such as, the National Climate Change Policy, the National Development Plan, the National Development Strategy and Nationally Determined Contributions have been developed and implemented through the ministries, departments and divisions. Similarly, the establishment of the multi-stakeholder National Climate Change Committee, National Disaster Management Authority, National Trust Commission and Eswatini Environmental Authority, along with the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, are some of the noted institutions responsible for climate action in the country. It is noted that despite these considerable policy and institutional achievements, the country remains increasingly vulnerable and is not yet adequately prepared to face future challenges.

Eswatini's NDC 3.0 enhances the country's mitigation ambition by committing to an economy-wide reduction of 2.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (MtCO₂eq) by 2035 relative to the Business-as-Usual (BAU) scenario. Of this total, approximately 695 ktCO₂eq (31%) will be achieved through domestic resources, while the remaining 1.55 MtCO₂eq (69%) is conditional upon international support in the form of finance, technology transfer, investments, and capacity building. This represents a 115% increase in mitigation ambition compared to the emission reduction target contained in NDC 2.0.

The embedded Specialist will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist. The day-to-day technical guidance will be provided by the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs in close coordination with the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development. The incumbent will be embedded within the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, under the oversight of the designated senior Ministry official.

The incumbent will coordinate closely with the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, the Ministry of Finance, the NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator, GCF liaison Officer, the NDC Partnership Country Support Unit, and other sectors. S/he will maintain regular coordination with implementing and development partners.

• 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 Home based position. 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 Eswatini or have a valid residence or work permit in Eswatini.

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

To provide technical advisory to the Kingdom of Eswatini to mobilise climate finance, strengthen the enabling environment and national capacity, and translate NDC 3.0 priorities into coordinated, bankable, and implementable programmes that enhance climate-resilient and low-carbon development pathways.

1. Climate Finance Mobilization and Investment Pipeline Development

• Lead the technical screening, appraisal, and prioritization of complex climate-resilient proposals, applying established multilateral fund criteria (e.g., GCF, GEF, AF) to ensure bankability and alignment with Eswatini's NDC and climate secor partners. 
• Prepare and refine high-quality concept notes, project proposals, investment cases, and financing packages that mainstream gender, youth and health in consultation with ministries and government agencies for multilateral climate funds, development banks, bilateral partners, philanthropic organizations, and private investors.
• Coordinate bankable project documentation, including problem analysis, theory of change, results and monitoring frameworks, budgets, financing plans, implementation arrangements, environmental and social safeguards, gender and social-inclusion measures, and risk-management plans.
• Facilitate the development and regular update of a simplified Excel Roster of potential funding sources, donor and investor engagement plan, and resource-mobilization pipeline for priority sectoral interventions.

2. Strengthening climate change related policies, plans and strategies

• Provide operational and technical support to integrate climate change into national planning and budgeting processes through engagement with the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Ministry of Finance and sector ministries on climate-responsive planning.
• Provide technical expertise to adapt and operationalize existing national policy frameworks into the NDC Investment Plan, Climate Finance Strategies, and Long Term Low Emission Development Strategies in line with national priorities and established multilateral guidelines 
• Provide technical support on the operationalization of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in Eswatini.
• Coordinate the integration of the Climate finance landscape assessment into the Biennial Transparency Report (BTR).
• Provide inputs into policies, frameworks, strategies as requested by Government

3. Institutional Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer

• Assess institutional capacity gaps and needs assessment in climate finance, investment planning, gender mainstreaming, health-climate nexus, project preparation, donor engagement, and NDC 3.0 implementation.
• Coordinate the design and implement a climate finance capacity building program incorporating gender mainstreaming and the health-climate nexus and based on the country plan.
• Coordinate the delivery of practical training for identified coaching needs, including one-to-one mentoring for Ministry staff, sectors, government agencies, and other implementing partners.
• Coordinate the development and institutionalizing training methodology and approaches on climate finance, project-development templates, investment-planning tools, guidance notes, standard operating procedures, and knowledge products that strengthen the quality and consistency of resource mobilization and programme implementation.
• Support information sharing and knowledge exchange with national and sub-national government, civil society and private sector stakeholders.
• Contribute to strengthening opportunities for sharing knowledge, experiences and best practices at national and global level and across local, regional and international partners.
• Strengthen internal arrangements for knowledge management, lesson capture, and sustained use of skills and tools.

4. Coordination, Partnerships, Advisory Support and Reporting

• Facilitate collaboration among ministries, government agencies, research institutions, development partners, civil-society organizations, banks and private-sector actors.
• Work closely with the NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator and the GCF liaison officer to ensure alignment, coordination, and follow-up on support provided to the Ministry.
• Facilitate technical working groups, investment consultations, project-design workshops, capacity building workshops and partner dialogues on climate-resilience development.
• Provide support to Eswatini in its role in hosting the SADC Regional Transparency Hub
• Produce and submit monthly and quarterly plan and progress reports and submit to the Ministry of Finance Focal Point for feedback and approval;
• Provide inputs to the preparation of presentations, advisory and briefing notes and/or position papers for the UNFCCC Conference of Parties as needed.
• Undertake other related strategic or technical tasks consistent with the assignment

Required

• A first-level university degree in a relevant field combined with two additional years (7 total) of qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree OR

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Climate Change, Environmental Studies, Economics, Natural Resources, Management; Energy; Project Management; Business Studies; or any other related subject

Desired

• A doctoral degree, preferably in a relevant field, or specialized postgraduate training in climate finance, is desirable.

Required

• At least 5 years of professional work experience in climate policy development and management of programmes in the area of climate change, energy, forestry, biodiversity, agriculture and technical assistance initiatives is required
• Demonstrated knowledge and extensive experience in the climate finance space, including climate finance readiness, grant proposal writing, climate change capacity building or technology transfer
• Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization, stakeholder relationship building and collaboration with government agencies, donors and/or international development partners, and non-government organisations.
• Proven experience in developing knowledge products, including analytical pieces, papers, reports and related products

Desired

• Experience developing blended-finance, public-private partnership, results-based finance, technology-transfer, or private-sector engagement arrangements is desirable.
• Prior professional experience in Eswatini, knowledge of Eswatini’s NDC and climate-development architecture.

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