Climate Action Advisor

Bangkok

Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
Location: Bangkok
Grade: Mid level - IICA-3, International Individual Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Environment
- Meteorology, Geology and Geography
- Climate Change
Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

General Background of the Assignment

Based in Bangkok, the Office of the Regional Director (ORD) supports UNOPS’ offices throughout the region, and oversees and enables efficient and effective delivery of support to partners in the Asia Region (AR) in line with the UNOPS corporate strategy. The ORD helps ensure that these programmes and projects are executed to the highest standards by providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated among the team across the entire region.

The ORD team further assists all country offices in the AR in the positioning of UNOPS at the highest levels in related fields, including various global agenda focus areas, such as Climate Action, resilience and sustainability.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Climate Action Advisor will be based in Bangkok and will report to the Senior Advisor - Programmes & Partnerships. However, the incumbent may be required to travel to support the country offices across the AR. Specifically, the Climate Action Advisor will support the promotion and operationalisation of the UNOPS Strategic Plan particularly around Climate Action and its interdependent agendas of the SDGs and Gender and Inclusion. This will involve contributing to the development of tools and other resources that are designed to ensure consistency in the way that the organization supports climate action across the globe, and supporting country offices and projects in the AR to apply these tools and resources. The advisor will support the MCOs/CO better understanding and positioning efforts in the climate action area, and support in engaging with partners (especially at the higher levels).

Functional Responsibilities

Under supervision of Senior Advisor - Programmes & Partnerships, the incumbent is responsible for the following:

Strategic Partnerships and cooperation development in Climate Action

Support the strengthening of strategic partnerships with key stakeholder groups including Donor agencies, Government, UN Agencies, Private Sector, and Donor Agencies in particular at the AR regional level, but also at country level related to climate action
Work with UNOPS HQ practices, all AR country offices and offices in other UNOPS regions and provide input, guidance and advice on climate action and broader technical issues as required.
Support all units in the region, as requested, with senior expertise on climate action related proposals, forums, thought leadership and implementation.
Travel to Country Offices to assist in technical meetings with key government partners and donors in advising them on climate action strategies and initiatives.
Represent UNOPS in key technical fora and events.

Provision of Expertise

Establish and lead the knowledge management network relating to climate change for UNOPS AR.
Contribute to data and information collection in relation to climate financing modalities and tools, and the development of guidance materials for the Asia Region team;
Contribute to the development and piloting of frameworks, tools, and methodologies for climate action, with a focus on infrastructure systems in line with UNOPS corporate mandate in infrastructure, at corporate/HQ and AR levels.
Support COs/MCOs in better incorporating climate action in their strategies, proposals action plans and in the respective follow-through.
Support the development of manuals and other capacity-building tools for increasing knowledge and developing an applied understanding of resilience, mitigation and adaptation which also addresses gender-specific impacts of climate change.
Contribute to the development of awareness material including case studies, that promotes UNOPS experience and knowledge in climate action internally and externally across UN Agencies and the Private Sector.
Contribute to the mainstreaming of climate action within UNOPS AR projects and programmes.
Prepare and/or contribute to reports and other communication including Newsletters and Bulletins to promote the AR’s and where required UNOPS’ global achievements.
Support other AR strategic initiatives, and ensure consistency in approach across such initiatives.
Support the building and management of a pool of consultants / retainers to support in climate action related support to Multi-Country Offices and Country Offices/COs.
Support in positioning UNOPS at the Regional UNDG level (including representing UNOPS on the related IBCs) and with regional organizations (such as the ASEAN).

Operations Support

Provide guidance and mentoring in support of building climate action knowledge, skills, and competencies at the regional and country levels.
Be responsive to ad hoc requests for technical guidance on issues related to resilience, climate change, and global policy agendas such as the SDGs, with a technical and strategic approach.
Contribute to the design and implementation of pilot projects around the issue of climate action and its application within the development and infrastructure systems management contexts.
Provide strategic activities with operational support, presenting technical solutions and innovative ideas to improve infrastructure needs across the global agendas.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

Advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant field of the built environment, natural sciences, environmental management or any combination relevant to climate action is required.
A first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in above-mentioned fields with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree or higher degrees.

Work Experience

At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in roles related to climate action is required; if applied to or combined with infrastructure it will be an asset, and, working with various aspects of climate change (mitigation, adaptation, resilience, climate risk assessment, etc).
Working experience in post-disaster, post-conflict, hardship/emergency context, and in particular in the Asia Region is highly desirable.
A good understanding of infrastructure technical aspects demonstrated by a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the infrastructure field (consultancy based preferable, and it can be broad, or sector-specific) is an asset.
A good understanding of Environment-Social-Governance (ESG) frameworks and standards demonstrated by a minimum of two ( 2) years of experience in a private or public position preferably in asset management.
Prior experience in Asia and the Pacific is preferred.
The following experience/skills are highly desirable : i) Experience in knowledge, communication, or information management particularly in regard to the development of promotional material. ii) Experience in knowledge, communication, or information management particularly in regard to the development of promotional material.- Experience working with a variety of institutions; including UN, government/public institutions, private sector, and or research/academia. iii) Good knowledge and applied understanding of Global Policy Frameworks, including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the SDGs, and the Sendai Framework for DRR. iv) Work experience in the Asia Region will be considered an asset. v) Strong understanding of the current development, Climate Change, and humanitarian debate and instruments of support to governments. vi) Experience in implementing strategic plans or organizational change will be considered an asset vii) Demonstrating a clear understanding of the role of infrastructure and climate action and how it is applied within the development and humanitarian contexts. viii) Strong communication and presentation skills.

Language

Fluency in English is required.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractual Agreement (IICA)
Contract level: ICS 11 / IICA 3
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

The position is based in a family duty station.

Disclaimer: If the selected candidate is a national of the duty station, a Local Individual contractor Agreement will be issued.

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

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. For more information on a retainer contract 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.