Senior Programme Manager (Senior Adviser)

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

New York Portfolio Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners’ programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG) of the United Nations to implement the activities of the Climate Action Team (CAT) Project.

There is less than a decade to prevent a climate breakdown. Without deep emissions cuts, the world is heading towards close to a 3 degrees Celsius of warming with catastrophic consequences. At current levels of warming the world is experiencing unprecedented climate impacts. An increase in global average temperature above 1.5 degrees would mean extreme weather and climate disasters increasing in frequency and intensity, putting billions of people at immediate risk with significant parts of Africa becoming unlivable and whole countries ceasing to exist. The Secretary-General’s call to all countries, cities, companies and institutions to go into emergency mode on climate is needed more than ever.

While climate change risks undermining the 2030 Agenda, as well as the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable development, climate action also presents an opportunity. Green investments boost growth and jobs; just transitions are inclusive and help to eradicate poverty; and enhancing carbon sinks strengthen biodiversity and resilience. It will be essential to ensure that the transformation of economies and societies takes place to enable accelerated climate action in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during this decade of action.

The objective of the Secretary-General’s climate action strategy throughout his second term will be to accelerate the pathway towards a resilient, low carbon world, that keeps the 1.5 degrees goal alive, to secure the alignment of public and private finance, of technological transfers and capacity building to enable the necessary cooperation and support needed by developing countries, to significantly enhance the credibility and accountability of commitments taken by governments and non-state actors to reach the Paris Agreement goals.

COP28 has delivered a clear roadmap to COP30, where governments are expected to submit their next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These new NDCs must be economy-wide, aligned with the 1.5 temperature limit and cover all greenhouse gas emissions. These new NDCs should also define national pathways for transitioning away from fossil fuels and how each nation will contribute to the global goals agreed to at COP 28 to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency. It is also essential that the political, economic and regulatory conditions are established over the next two years to ensure maximum ambition by all countries, especially the G20 and other significant emitters.

The voice, convening power and honest-broker role of the Secretary-General, as well as the expertise and capabilities of the United Nations system will need to be leveraged to support this effort. This is particularly relevant given the challenging geo-political environment as well as domestic political uncertainties in many key countries.

The Secretary- General’s Climate Action Team will focus on the following:

• Delivering on the commitment of the developed countries to double adaptation finance, implementation of the Early Warning Systems For All, Adaptation Pipeline Accelerator initiatives of the Secretary-General, and other similar country-led approaches to adaptation planning and implementation;
• Securing 1.5°C-aligned, whole of economy and all GHG emission Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with a particular focus on the G20.
• Working with UN system entities and other stakeholders to ensure that coordinated support is provided to developing countries to prepare and submit their new NDCs.
• Contributing to the reform of the international climate finance architecture and the multilateral development banks including through the full operationalization of the new Loss and Damage Fund.
• Delivering tangible results to scale up adaptation and resilience finance and projects in developing countries including through cooperative initiatives.
• Developing and implementing targeted strategies for fossil fuel phase-out and renewable energy scale-up including through the Just Energy Transition Partnerships and other cooperative initiatives.
• Strengthening and verifying short-term and longer-term commitments made by non-state actors to reach net zero by 2050 through the implementation of the guidelines recommended by the Secretary-General’s High-Level Group of Experts on Net Zero Commitments.
• Enhancing UN system support to countries to deliver on the climate and environment-related Sustainable Development Goals this decade.
• Providing up-to-date analytics and policy guidance for the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, UN leadership and Member States.
• Designing and executing a cross-UN global communications campaign and movement focused on SG and UN leadership on climate action at all levels, and messaging and storytelling to build political will, elevate local solutions and mobilize individual actions.

The incumbent of this position will be a staff member of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

In order to support the Secretary-General’s Climate Action Strategy, the Climate Action Team is recruiting a Senior Programme Manager (Senior Adviser).

Functional Responsibilites

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Climate Ambition Team Director, the incumbent will provide substantive senior-level support on member state engagement. The responsibilities of the Senior Programme Manager include:

Program Development:

• Lead on liaison with the COP Presidencies
• Assume the responsibility to develop regular policy briefs and technical reports for senior management on climate action, including trends and gaps related to climate science, NDC ambition, climate finance, and resilience and adaptation.
• Identify strategic policy entry points for climate action that the UN can advocate for in selected countries and propose innovative ways to build momentum for climate action involving a broad-array of stakeholders.
• Act as focal point for Climate initiatives of the Secretary-General, working across the team to deliver on the climate related commitments.
• Support the engagement of the team on the work related to biodiversity and oceans and marine protection throughout the UN system.

Policy research and advisement:

• On an ongoing basis, conduct research and analysis related to climate policy and commitments, identifying and assessing emerging policy and research priorities and gaps and quantifying environmental and economic market trends.
• With guidance and direction of the Assistant Secretary-General and in collaboration with the team, initiate a knowledge management system that acts as a one stop shop for policy and research knowledge, publications including major reports, data analysis, infographics and other visuals.

Public communication
Quality control of written products from the Climate Action Team for the SG, DSG and ASG.

• Coordinate speechwriting, working with relevant members of the team, for SG, DSG and ASG.
• Develop a monitoring matrix to measure team progress and results.
• Conduct other research and analytical functions as needed to support the Assistant Secretary-General.

Education/ Experience/ Language requirements

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent), preferably in International Relations or Public Policy or other relevant fields with ten (10) years of relevant experience is required; OR
• First-level university (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) preferably in International Relations or Public Policy or other relevant fields with twelve (12) years of relevant experience is desired.

Required Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in public policy/ policy analysis and advisory roles.

Desirable experience (the following experience is optional candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply)

• Experience working with climate and economic analytical tools as well as major data sources of climate science, environmental, and economic information (e.g. IPCC, World Bank, IMF).
• Experience working in the United Nations, particularly in regional and country offices, is considered an asset.
• Experience working in economic development, particularly in developing country context is desired.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract level: P5
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

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