Project Officer - Climate Technology

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  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.  With over 8,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

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 Technology – Transitions and System Innovation (TTSI) Section is one of six sections at UNEP-CCC. TTSI section is working on identifying and assessing barriers and enablers for climate technology transfer and diffusion. We support the national government's needs in technology deployment and facilitate market-based innovation, private sector engagement, and local development with an overall emphasis on creating enabling frameworks for technology transfer and market creation across developing country contexts. In each of these areas, the section is engaged in project implementation, scientific advisory work, capacity building, and provision of technical support, combined with methodology development. In addition, the section provides policy advice and engages in knowledge dissemination. 

The TTSI section is involved in several projects that support the Centre strategy in the areas of policy, planning and implementation. TTSI seeks to recruit a Project Officer to work on climate technology transfer and needs assessments. The successful candidate will be part of the team supporting the GEF-funded project on Technology Needs Assessments (TNAs) in developing countries (particularly in Francophone Africa), tracking progress on climate technology transfer (nationally and globally), integrating technology into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) implementation, and strengthening national innovation systems. The candidate will strengthen the visibility of the section’s technology transfer work in international fora and lead and contribute to country support, advisory work and publications.

The candidate will join a team of eight colleagues and will work under the leadership of the head of the TTSI section and with other experts and senior experts in the section. He/She will contribute to the work in the area of climate technology transfer.

The main responsibilities of the candidate will be to contribute to and support the successful implementation of the TNA project in its daily operations under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with other members of the project team. This will include a range of activities, including project management and coordination, communication and outreach, analytical work and contribution to knowledge products. Depending on the successful candidate’s previous work experience and academic background, contribution to other areas of the project, such as capacity-building and trainings, will also be relevant. In addition, the candidate will support the production of the Climate Technology Progress Report that is produced in collaboration with the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism.

Specific areas of work for the Project Officer will include:

• Carry out project administration tasks of the TNA project in close collaboration with the project manager.

• Coordinate the project tasks on a daily basis, especially in relation to the Francophone African countries participating in the TNA project and other relevant partners.

• Provide data and input to project partners and donors on request, including input to newsletters, annual and other update reports. 

• Provide support for the production of the Climate Technology Progress Report, including Steering Committee meetings, coordination with authors, coordination of external review process, copy editing and design of the report.

• Contribute to the organization, development, and delivery of workshops, trainings, webinars, and other events, including logistics, preparation of agendas, presentations, and learning materials.

• Contribute to the development of knowledge and capacity building products in the area of climate technology transfer.

• Support the communication and outreach activities through preparation of presentations, and other communication products, as well as the development of news pieces.

• Support the maintenance of the Tech-action.org website, an online knowledge-sharing platform, through generating and updating content.

• Contribute to the work and strategic discussion of the TTSI section in the context of climate technology transfer.

• Contribute to the implementation of UNEP-CCC’s and UNEP’s strategies, in particular in the area of climate technology transfer.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The process will be based on performance evaluation including the following:

• Successful completion of project management support and coordination tasks that will be assigned to the staff, and other relevant activities related to the work of the TTSI section.

• Level of contribution to the UNOPS core competencies

• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent), preferably in Engineering/Economics /Environmental Sciences /Sustainable Development is required. 
• An advanced university degree (Master’s, PHD or equivalent) in the above-mentioned field and preferably with a thesis related to climate change mitigation or climate transparency and/or sustainable development, technology transfer, and innovation systems is desirable and may substitute some of the required years of experience.

• A minimum of two (2) years of post-degree professional experience  in the area of climate change and climate technology. 
• Proven project management and/or administration/coordination skills are required. 
• Knowledge of the UNFCCC processes and the international climate governance is required. 
• Experience with the UNFCCC and climate policies at national and international levels is a strong asset.
• Experience working with developing countries and emerging economies is also a strong asset.
• Knowledge of technology transfer, national systems of innovation, and sustainable development is an asset. 
• Demonstrating excellent writing, communication and presentation skills is an asset. 
• Experience with an international agency or organization is desirable.

c. Languages

• Fluency in English is required. The candidate will work with Francophone African countries, therefore fluency in French is also required.

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement 
Contract level: IICA 1 / ICS 8
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.