Partnerships Development Specialist (Climate Change and Environment) - retainer position

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.
In Serbia, where UNOPS has been active since 2000, and North Macedonia and Montenegro where UNOPS works since 2017, the organisation provides support in conduct of demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union. The projects focus on sustainable socio-economic development, good governance, social cohesion, environment and emergency response. The projects are implemented with the funding from the European Union (EU), Kingdom of Norway, Governments of Switzerland, Sweden, North Macedonia and Serbia.

All projects have gender equality as a transversal theme, and have been contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives.

Under the supervision of the Partnership Specialist, in close coordination with the Head of Programme (HoP) and in collaboration with Project Managers and Team Leaders, the Climate Change and Environment Specialist will contribute to development of the UNOPS RSMCO strategic approach to support Climate Change and Environment related actions in Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and the region. She/he will contribute to identification, design, and implementation of the programmes and projects entailing the application of approaches that ensure environment responsible and climate resilient actions. The Climate Change and Environment Specialist will undertake the following specific tasks/responsibilities:

Strategic Aspects

• Contribute to development of UNOPS RSMCO strategic approach for enhancing the Office engagement in Climate Change and Environment related actions
• Analyse and report on key CCE developments that are relevant for Serbia and, where applicable and needed, for other countries covered by RSMCO
• Provide analysis of policy and institutional frameworks on CCE in Serbia and, where relevant, other countries covered by RSMCO
• Provide advice regarding international policies and practices in CCE, while focusing on the United Nations recommendations, the European Union regulations and the EU accession path country milestones
• Advise the RSMCO Director, the HoP, Partnership Specialist, and other senior RSMCO personnel regarding Climate Change and Environment 
• Support efforts of the RSMCO to expand professional relations with the relevant Climate Change and Environment stakeholders in institutions, academic organisations, international organisations and civil society. 

Project Identification and Development 

• Contribute to identification and development of Climate Change and Environment programmes and projects
• Provide written expert inputs related to CCE in the design of the new programmes, projects, and measures
• Provide expert input for development of CCE related products, such as Terms of Reference, technical specifications, factsheets, reports, etc.
• Provide advice regarding funding mechanisms used to support CCE projects and where UNOPS could be identified as the implementing partner  
• Accompany RSMCO Director, HoP, Partnership Specialist and other relevant UNOPS personnel in meetings related to CCE
• Conduct peer review of documents/products related to or including CCE elements 
• Contribute to the UNOPS RSMCO communication and visibility activities in developing materials, publications, and articles on CCE
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Project implementation 

• Provide technical advice to Project Managers and Team Leaders regarding Climate Change and Environment interventions
• Contribute to conduct quality control of CCE related products
• Contribute to design and implementation of capacity building activities related to CCE

• Master degree preferably in engineering, environment sciences or other relevant fields is required.
• Relevant first university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) with an additional two years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree

Work Experience 

• Minimum five years of relevant work experience in the field of Climate Change and Environment is required
• Experience working in cooperation with the government is an asset 
• Experience with international organisations is an asset

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and Serbian (speaking, reading and writing) is required

This is a local position, it is therefore open to Nationals of Serbia and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.
Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) - retainer
Contract level: Local ICA, Level 10
Contract duration: Up to 30 working days in the period of one year, with the possibility of extension

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, 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 recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.
UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us
We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity
With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Work life harmonization
UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.