Climate Mitigation Specialist (Retainer) Multiple Positions, Multiple positions

Purpose and scope of the assignment 
Under the technical supervision of the Head of Strategic Initiatives, the Retainer will provide climate mitigation technical support in the conceptualization and implementation of infrastructure projects (mainly in the energy, transport and buildings sectors)  in different countries in at least one of UNOPS’ regions. The Specialist will provide technical knowledge and will contribute to processes and decisions to facilitate climate-resilient infrastructure development and activities such as data collection and analysis, procurement, design, construction and the provision of all climate mitigation support and services to different UNOPS partners and client countries. He/She will provide technical guidance on all aspects of climate mitigation to inform effective project programming, management and partnerships. In addition, he/she is expected to provide technical expertise in support of ongoing infrastructure projects in other UNOPS regions as may be needed.  As needed, the expert will provide climate mitigation oversight on program design and management, working closely with stakeholders to mainstream climate mitigation actions in projects.

Functional Responsibilities

The specific tasks for each assignment may vary one assignment to another. Under the overall guidance and oversight of the Strategic Initiatives Unit and direct supervision of the designated Supervisor within the requesting office, the Specialist will work on a retainer contract and will be called upon for specific projects to fulfill one or more of the following key tasks: 

Technical expertise

• Provide technical support in addressing decarbonisation and low-carbon infrastructure needs in developing countries.
• Provide advice and assistance in the development of strategies, regulatory framework, guidelines, and enabling environment to promote climate mitigation and decarbonization actions in infrastructure sectors.
• Support the mainstreaming of climate mitigation actions in technical documents of infrastructure projects, papers and corporate communication materials.
• Provide technical climate mitigation support to project teams and partners at any life cycle stages of infrastructure project development in compliance with UNFCCC climate mitigation guidelines. 
• Provide climate mitigation support at events and meetings with stakeholders and partners.

 
Capacity development and training

• Support the design, development and/or implementation of Infrastructure climate mitigation training programmes and capacity building initiatives for both internal and external participants
• Support the delivery of training tools and techniques to mainstream climate mitigation in UNOPS infrastructure and project management services.

Practice contribution and Knowledge Sharing

• Ensure climate mitigation best practice guidance is disseminated and communicated throughout the relevant programmes and country offices and departments
• Contribute to UNOPS knowledge management by capturing case studies and best practice examples of climate mitigation in infrastructure projects/programmes throughout UNOPS 
• Provide substantive contribution to UNOPS Climate Change practice focusing on continuous improvement of climate mitigation and decarbonisation; support the development of policy, guidance and tools.

Business development

• Provide technical support to UNOPS country offices on opportunities for low carbon infrastructure development in addition to sharing with clients institutional and industry knowledge of climate mitigation options in infrastructure.
• Provide climate mitigation support in formulation of new initiatives, projects and programmes related to sustainable and inclusive infrastructure 
• Provide climate mitigation technical support to enable the delivery of low carbon Infrastructure projects and provide support to UNOPS project teams and partners in line with the climate aspirations in the UNOPS corporate strategy.
• Provide support to further UNOPS position as a climate change thought leader and value add partner to governments and other clients.

Education

• A Master’s Degree or equivalent preferably in energy planning/economics, Engineering, Climate Change, Sustainable Development, International Development or a related field from a recognized university. 

• Applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree with additional 2 years of relevant working  experience may also be considered in lieu of the Master’s Degree.

Experience:

Required

• A minimum of five  (5) years experience of climate mitigation in the infrastructure sectors preferably in one or more of the following sectors: energy, transport and buildings sectors in the Global South. 
• Experience with renewable energy projects plus their linkages to national or transnational energy systems and energy efficiency optimization is required. 

Desired

• Experience in resource efficient design and delivery of green buildings is desirable
• Experience in mainstreaming climate mitigation actions in transport projects is an asset.
• Experience working with IPPs and leading PPP negotiations would be considered an asset.
• Experience in mainstreaming climate mitigation actions in other sectors of infrastructure e.g Water, Digital development, waste management, etc., is an asset.
• International experience in developing countries is highly desirable.
• Previous assignments with the UN system will be an added advantage. 
• Experience working with Multilateral Development Banks and other Donors would be considered an asset.