Senior Programme Manager (Energy) At UNOPS

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 Portfolios 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.

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.

Following the COP 28 in Dubai, there is less than a decade to prevent a climate breakdown. Without deep emissions cuts, the world is heading towards 2.1-2.8-degrees Celsius of warming with catastrophic consequences, based on current Nationally Determined Contributions. 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 ensure climate ambition in line with the 1.5 degrees temperature limit and deliver climate justice for developing countries at the pace and scale required across adaptation, finance and Loss and Damage.

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

Securing 1.5°C-aligned Nationally Determined Contributions
Accelerating the 1.5 aligned Energy Transition
Ensure all Non-State Actor commitments are 1.5 aligned
Accelerating adaptation planning implementation and bridging the adaptation finance gap
Delivering Climate Finance at scale and ensuring meaningful reform of International Financial Architecture

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

Functional responsibilities

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Climate Ambition Team Lead (Director), the incumbent will provide substantive senior-level support on member state engagement. The responsibilities of the Senior Programme Manager, US, China, and Small Islands Developing States include:

Lead the Energy initiative:

Strategic support to the energy related objectives of the Secretary-General’s climate action objectives on mitigation, finance and adaptation and resilience.
Work in close collaboration with the Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, including the follow-up;
Lead and work with colleagues to further the Secretary-General’s priority of building coalitions to support coal phase-out in key countries;
Design and develop targeted fossil fuel and coal phase-out and related just transition strategies.

Support to State Members on agreed objectives:

Contribute the organization of the Secretary-General’s high-level eventon the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2025;
Collaborate with the engagement with Member States in furtherance of the coal phase-out and related just transition strategies;
Build networks of contacts across energy sector in governments, private sector, and non-State actors to remain up to date on developments within the sector;
Prepare strategic advice to senior UN leadership on key trends and developments within the energy sector.

Public communication:

Responsible to prepare high level briefing notes, key messages and analytic products for supporting the engagements of the United Nations Secretary -General and Deputy Secretary General;
Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Impact of results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the incumbent directly impacts on the development and performance of the Climate Action Team, visibility and image of CAT, ensuring that the project is aligned with the overall priorities on the UN agenda including conflict prevention and conflict resolution.

Education/ Experience/ Language requirements

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
*CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree), preferably in political science, International Relations, Public Policy, Law or other relevant fields is required.
Two (2) additional years of relevant work experience, in combination with a relevant first-level university (bachelor’s degree or equivalent), may substitute for the requirement of a master’s degree.

Required experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management in the area of climate change is required.
At least three (3) years of experience at international level are required.
Experience in providing advice to senior officials, including on multilateral climate change negotiations and international climate change policy is required.

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

Experience in the private sector and international organizations such as the United Nations (or similar international organization) is desirable .
Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder groups to meet a common objective is desirable.
Experience liaising with governments is desirable.

Language requirements

Fluency in oral and written English is required.

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’.

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link*:*
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx