Climate Transparency Officer

The UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC) was established in early 2022. UNEP-CCC is programmatically guided by UN Environment (UNEP) and operationally supported by UNOPS. UNEP-CCC was established to ensure the preservation and continuation of the experience and capacity established through a 30-year working relationship between UNEP, DTU, and the MFA, known as the UNEP DTU Partnership (UDP). 

UNEP-CCC is a leading international advisory institution on energy, climate and sustainable development. Its work focuses on assisting developing countries and emerging economies to transition towards more low-carbon development paths and supports the integration of climate resilience in national development. UNEP-CCC is actively engaged in implementing UN Environment’s Climate Change Strategy and Energy Programme by delivering technical assistance and analytical work to emerging markets and developing countries in context of the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.

The Mitigation Analysis and Data Management Section (MA&DM) is one of five sections at UNEP-CCC. MA&DM works on supporting countries in identifying and implementing cost-effective mitigation policies and actions in different sectors, as well as strengthening countries´ capacities to use tools and establish national transparency frameworks to assess climate actions in the context of their NDCs and report on their progress. In addition, MA&DM promotes sharing experiences and raising awareness globally on climate change mitigation through the compilation of key GHG data and the development of global mitigation assessments such as the UNEP Emissions Gap report.

The main responsibility of the candidate will be to provide science-based advice on the assessment of needs and implementation of climate transparency systems primarily at a national level with global and sub-national elements. The successful candidate is expected to work on a varied portfolio of activities, including project management and coordination, partnership development, data generation, quantitative and qualitative analysis, as well as contributing to fundraising, and proposal development in collaboration with other staff as well as other relevant colleagues across UNEP.

Specific areas of work for the Climate Transparency Officer will include:

• Contribute to the work and strategic discussion of the MA&DM Section by providing scientific advice and technical inputs to the climate transparency and accountability area.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the strategy of the UNEP-CCC in particular in the area of climate transparency and accountability.

• Support the provision of guidance and technical advice on the design and establishment of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification frameworks for mitigation under UNEP-CCC projects to support the implementation of the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement, ensuring coordination across relevant sections and with UNEP relevant units. 

• Ensure the development of knowledge products for Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification frameworks for mitigation under the Enhanced Transparency Framework, ensuring coordination among projects and with other activities in the strategy area of climate transparency.

• Contribute to the organization, development, and delivery of workshops, training, e-learning, webinars, and other events, including agendas, presentations, and learning material organized by UNEP-CCC under climate transparency-related projects.

• Coordinate the development and maintenance of an online knowledge-sharing platform, generating and updating content including activities, project progress, and results to facilitate coordination and information sharing among users.

a. Education 

The candidate should possess a master's degree in Engineering / Economics, Climate Change, and/or Political Science with a thesis related to climate change. A first level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) with two (2) additional years of professional experience will be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

b. Work Experience

• The Individual Contractor should have at least 5 years of experience in the climate change area, with proven experience in climate transparency. Experience in mitigation is a must, experience in adaptation will be a strong asset.

• Sensible multicultural awareness and ability to work in an interdisciplinary and international environment is an asset. 

• Experience working with emerging and developing countries is an asset. 

c. Languages

The working language at UNEP-CCC is English. Therefore, fluency in English is required, with an emphasis on both speaking and writing skills. Fluency in either Spanish and/or French is highly desired. Additional fluency in any other UN language is an asset.

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement 
Contract level: IICA 2 / ICS 10
Contract duration: One year (12 months) initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds

• 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.

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

 ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.