Technical Specialist – Climate Change Mitigation (Home-Base in the Africa region)
About UNDP
UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan.
Job Summary
UNDP seeks a Regional Technical Specialist for Climate Change Mitigation (IPSA-11), home-based in the Africa region. The specialist will support the Principal Technical Advisor on the Energy Strategic Plan goals and the climate change mitigation vertical fund portfolio, with a primary focus on Africa. Responsibilities include providing expert technical support for the development of new GEF climate change mitigation projects, implementation support for ongoing projects, contributing to strategic leadership, policy dialogue, comprehensive portfolio management, and facilitating learning and knowledge management in climate change mitigation, particularly concerning sustainable energy initiatives. The role requires extensive travel within the region and the candidate must be located within the African region at the time of hire.
Office/Unit/Project Description
BPPS’s Hubs on Nature, Climate, Energy and Waste, with the support of the Vertical Fund Programme Support Oversight and Compliance Unit, works with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate nature, climate, energy and waste related concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies. This multi-billion-dollar portfolio advances crosscutting themes on innovative finance, digital transformation, capacity development, human rights, gender equality, health, technology, and South-South learning.
The UNDP Climate Hub is the arrowhead of UNDP’s commitment to the “Climate Promise” that aims to support programming countries designing and implementing pledges under the Paris Agreement. The Climate Hub is responsible for thought leadership, strategy formulation, pipeline development, policy and programme support, global engagement, and innovation in climate action.
Scope of Work
The Regional Technical Specialist (RTS) works under the overall leadership of the Principal Technical Advisor (PTA) for Climate Change Mitigation, the day-to-day supervision of the Environment Regional Team Leader for Africa based in Addis Ababa, and in close collaboration with other technical staff. The RTS will provide specific technical support for developing new GEF climate change mitigation projects and implementation support for ongoing projects with a focus in the Africa Region.
Key responsibilities include:
- Provision of innovation, strategic leadership, policy dialogue, and advocacy: Contributing to strategic understanding, developing partnerships, participating in strategy development, providing policy support, and facilitating policy analysis.
- Ensure effective Portfolio Management: Providing guidance on programme/project information, sourcing technical expertise, and facilitating liaisons with financing agencies.
- Effectively manage development impact: Assisting with project inception, supervision, quality implementation, troubleshooting, risk management, and M&E support.
- Facilitate Learning, Knowledge Management and Self Development: Evaluating lessons, developing knowledge materials, peer reviewing, preparing training, and responding to queries.
Institutional Arrangement
The Regional Technical Specialist will work from his/her home base, within the African region. Supervision will be provided by the Principal Technical Advisor, CCM (New York) and the Environment Regional Team Leader (Addis Ababa). The RTS will work closely with various UNDP units, Country Offices, and external partners. The incumbent is expected to be flexible with availability for consultations across time zones and will be responsible for their own working station.
Required Skills and Experience
Min. Education requirements:
- Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Energy, Climate Change, Engineering, Finance, development studies or other closely related field is required. Or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience:
- Minimum of 7 years’ (with a Master’s degree) or 9 years’ (with a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in developing countries in one or more of the following technical areas: renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy transition, energy access, energy and climate finance.
- At least of 5 years’ experience providing policy advisory services in areas related to climate change mitigation and sustainable energy is required.
- At least 5 years’ experience with the design and/or implementation of development projects/programmes to promote sustainable energy investment, including climate finance and energy access is required.
Required skills:
- Experience working in multiple countries in Sub-Saharan Africa is required.
- Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of energy access projects/programmes is required.
- Experience in designing financial instruments / mechanisms for sustainable energy programs is required.
- Demonstrated experience in mobilizing partnerships and resources at scale is required.
Desired skills:
- Direct experience in the design and implementation of Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) Climate Change Mitigation (CCM) /sustainable energy projects is preferable.
- Experience in structuring blended finance solutions is an advantage.
- Experience in leading/coordinating team of experts is an advantage.
- Direct working experience with Development Finance Institutions is an advantage.
- Direct working experience in an international organization is an advantage, as is direct experience working with UNDP.
Required Language(s):
- Fluency in English language, with exceptional writing, presentation, and communication skills is required.
- Working knowledge of French is required.
Travel: Multiple international mission travel per year will be required to countries in the region. BSAFE course must be completed prior to travel.
Competencies
Core Competencies (Level 3): Achieve Results, Think Innovatively, Learn Continuously, Adapt with Agility, Act with Determination, Engage and Partner, Enable Diversity and Inclusion.
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies: Energy Access, Climate Change Adaptation Policy and Planning, Partnerships Management, Portfolio Management, Communication, Systems Thinking, Project Management.
Equal opportunity: As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity and encourages qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Employment decisions are based on merit and suitability.
Conduct: UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates undergo relevant checks.
Scam alert: UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process.
Candidate must be located within the African region at the time of hire.
HOW TO APPLY
Posting Date: May 27, 2025, 08:32 PM (EDT)
Application Deadline: June 4, 2025, 06:59 AM (EDT).
Interested candidates should apply via the UNDP careers portal using the link below.
