Climate Change Adaptation Officer (Home based Retainer) - Pretoria, South Africa

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 incumbent will support South Africa’s DFFE in the development of the Green Climate Fund Readiness application, Climate Investment Platform (CIP) and associated governance structures, and support the M&E Team.

1. Development of the Green Climate Fund Readiness application

• Support the development of the GCF readiness application with DBSA
• Address logframe and theory of change comments from the GCF
• Support GCF Readiness concept note development
• Support the development of a full funding readiness proposal

2. Provide support in the development of the Climate Investment Platform (CIP)

• Stakeholder ecosystem mapping in the development of the CIP
• Facilitate coordination and information exchange among partners in the country in relation to the development and continuous management of the CIP
• Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate the development of the CIP as directed by the CD: CCA, NT and the DBSA including within the DFFE, across government, and with various stakeholders more broadly
• Support the development and implementation of CIP as applicable with a project plan for continuous development and improvement, including identifying key funding sources and technical resources.

3. Support strategic partnerships for resource mobilization and development of a project pipeline for implementation

• Support the Chief Directorate’s initiatives in following up on and mobilizing strategic partner financing for adaptation project pipeline implementation
• Ensure a pipeline of adaptation projects and investments are embedded within the CIP

4. Organize and support multi-stakeholder dialogues for the development of the Climate Investment Platform

• When requested, facilitate national country specific multi-stakeholder CIP dialogues
• Support the government in preparing for CIP-related events such as COPs, regional climate weeks, national events, and other convenings relevant to showcase the CIP progress and generate support for implementation thereof
• Organize coordination meetings between the Support Unit and the government as needed

5. Support monitoring & evaluation efforts of adaptation measures and indicators

• Improve National Climate Change Information System (NCCIS)
• Update and improve National Climate Change Response Database (NCCRD)
• Develop climate change adaptation indicators
• Development of the Annual Climate Change Report
• Conduct provincial Indigenous Knowledge System studies
• Support the hosting of two Climate Change Adaptation Technical Working Group sessions
• Participate and contribute technically to four National Disaster Management Forums or related per annum

Required

• An advanced degree (master's or higher) preferably in public policy, development, climate change, climate finance, natural resource management, environmental management, economics and development or any other relevant field of study.
• Bachelor's degree in related discipline with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (4 total) may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree.

Required

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in multilateral, national and grassroots governance and processes related to climate change, policy and/or developing national Systems
• Knowledge of the country’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change
• Experience managing national stakeholder engagement processes

Desired

• Familiarity with government processes including climate financing, bilateral cooperation and past experience on government climate change process
• Experience in fostering formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders
• Direct experience in climate policy, climate finance and investment planning.

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