Portfolio Advisor (Strategic Advisor - Climate Change)

Senior Programme & Policy Environment

Overview

Analyze climate change projects, identify opportunities, and support strategic development.

You have:

• Advanced degree (master’s level or above) in a relevant field is required.
• A relevant university degree (bachelor’s degree) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive professional experience in climate change, with an emphasis on strategic and managerial leadership.
• Five years of experience at the international level, including experience at a senior management level is required.
• Professional experience in multi-sector climate change programmes, policies or negotiations, and knowledge of global political economy are required.
• Proven experience in engaging with high-level stakeholders such as government officials, donor representatives, and representatives of international organizations is required.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.
• Knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on: - Infrastructure - Procurement - Project Management (full service, back on track) - HR and Transactional Services - Grants Management - Technical and Advisory Services - Project Information

Background Information - **Water, Environment and Climate (WEC)**** The **Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio under the UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office has built strong partnerships and has effectively been managing a portfolio of 490 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.

Functional Responsibilities

To facilitate partners' search for bespoke services for climate action, UNOPS has created ACT. ACT is a one-stop facility, established under the Water, Environment and Climate portfolio aimed at advancing climate action across its projects, programs, and operations. ACT seeks to strengthen UNOPS' commitment to sustainable development and support the global response to climate change.

The purpose of ACT is to provide cutting edge, tailored operational services to support partners in operationalizing or scaling up their climate activities. ACT leverages the expertise, experience and partnership of the existing initiatives under ACT through active on-going knowledge management processes. Through its operational and management capacity and based on its best practices, ACT facilitates the impact of partners’ adaptation and mitigation ambitions. ACT enables access to climate finance, supports climate transparency and enhances the access of the most vulnerable countries to Loss and Damage support in line with the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other relevant multilateral agreements.

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Portfolio Manager, the position focuses on analyzing WEC’s climate change portfolio, scoping ‘the market’ for opportunities and advising and to assist to establish ACT as an operational modality to assist partners translate climate ambition into operational action.

Analysis of existing portfolio and market, resulting in Strategy Development 1. Conduct research and analysis on global trends related to climate change opportunities; 2. Identify new strategic and concrete opportunities to grow the portfolio and raise its visibility; 3. Develop strategies for leveraging the experience and capacity of the portfolio and its existing partner base; 4. Identify entry points and immediate opportunities for interventions

Technical Guidance and Support 1. Provide insights on current climate change adaptation, mitigation, and resilience intervention opportunities to WEC Management, project teams and stakeholders towards WEC’s business development/partnerships objectives; 2. Advise on the trends of climate-friendly technologies, practices, and materials as part of climate strategies and activities.

Networking and Advocacy 1. Advise on a communication strategy and relevant positioning messaging in relation to strategic growth opportunities; 2. Facilitate engagement with potential partners at high level; 3. Introduce UNOPS to relevant partners in existing networks in relevant areas

Launch Activities 1. Advise on fora, venues and formats to facilitate the successful launch of ACT 2. Recommend and connect UNOPS to key high-level individuals to participate in launch activities, in particular at COP-28. 3. Provide guidance and support to ACT prior to (preparatory phase), during (at official launch) and after (debrief phase) COP-28.

The Strategic Advisor for Climate Change Opportunities will play a critical role in advancing the portfolio's efforts to generate new strategic opportunities and raise its visibility. This terms of reference document outlines the expectations, duties, and responsibilities for the position and provides a clear framework for evaluating performance.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Advanced degree (master’s level or above) in Public Administration, Environmental Management, Environmental Engineering, Business Administration, International Development, Development Economics or another relevant discipline is required.
• A relevant university degree (bachelor’s degree) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work experience

• Minimum 7 years of progressive professional experience in climate change, with a strong emphasis on strategic and managerial leadership .
• Relevant professional experience must include five (5) years of experience at the international level, including experience at a senior management level.
• Professional experience in multi-sector climate change programmes, policies or negotiations, as well as knowledge of the global political economy, are required.
• Proven experience in engaging with high-level stakeholders, such as government officials, donor representatives, representatives of international organizations, etc. is required.

Languages

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.
• Knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Contract level: I-ICA-3 Contract duration: This is a retainer based contract with specific deliverables. The number of days will be discussed and agreed with both parties at the time of contracting.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Additional Information

• 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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org