Climate Change Adaptation Officer (Home based Retainer) - Pretoria, South Africa

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact in international development while advancing your career in a prestigious UN organization. The position offers exposure to high-profile projects, cross-cultural collaboration, and professional development opportunities in project management, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence within the UN system.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

About the Project Office

WEC Background

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 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.

About the Group

The NDC Partnership

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition advancing the Paris Agreement by strengthening capacity and collaboration for country-owned climate and development action.

With over 270 members, including over 140 countries and more than 120 institutions, the NDC Partnership aligns partner support behind country priorities, builds shared knowledge and generates evidence to inform effective NDC implementation, sustained investment and higher ambition that drives sustainable development. Working through a country-driven model, countries set the agenda by identifying their NDC priorities, and partners deliver coordinated, high-impact support that increases efficiency and reduces duplication.

The NDC Partnership has unmatched insight into on-the-ground climate realities, drawn from diverse expertise and collaborative learning across its membership. Grounded in country action, these insights shape the global climate agenda.

The NDC Partnership Support Unit is jointly hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC).

Job Specific Context

The incumbent will serve as the Climate Change Adaptation Advisor in the Climate Change Adaptation Unit at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). The role is one of technical support, coordination and facilitation of the Green Climate Fund Readiness application, providing support on the development of the Climate Investment Platform (CIP) and providing support to Monitoring & Evaluation in the unit. The advisor’s key role is ensuring smooth implementation of adaptation measures in the Nationally Determined Contribution by supporting ongoing coordination efforts between DFFE, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), the National Treasury (NT), the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) and other actors including State-Entities and the private sector on the development of the Climate Investment Platform.

Through supporting DFFE, the incumbent will be responsible for strengthening national coordination, providing technical support and facilitating engagements with regards to the CIP, various resource mobilization efforts and monitoring and evaluation support. The advisor will support the Director of Climate Change Adaptation Natural Resource Sectors and the Director of Climate Change Monitoring & Evaluation: Impact and Adaptation (CCM&E: IA) at the DFFE: Climate Change Adaptation Unit in their daily tasks.

The advisor will collaborate with other sectoral ministries, development partners and other national stakeholders to mobilize, coordinate and engage on effective and efficient development of the CIP in the country. Furthermore, the advisor will support the Directorate: CCM&E:IA on the National Climate Change Information Systems (NCCIS), National Climate Change Response Database (NCCRD), and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) programme, amongst other activities.

The advisor will work under the supervision of the NDC Partnership’s Country Engagement Specialist for South Africa and work closely on a day to day basis to the Chief Directorate: Climate Change Adaptation, headed by the Chief Director of Climate Change Adaptation (CD: CCA) who has delegated this responsibility under the Director: Adaptation Natural Resource Sectors and Director: Monitoring & Evaluation: Impact and Adaptation.

• This is a retainer national vacancy / position for 12 months, with the possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on availability of funds.

• This is a home based position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from the government facilities. Therefore, the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software.

• This is a local position; the incumbent must be a national of South Africa or have a valid residence permit in the country.

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Role Purpose

The incumbent will support South Africa’s DFFE in the development of the Green Climate Fund Readiness application, Climate Investment Platform (CIP) and associated governance structures, and support the M&E Team.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Development of the Green Climate Fund Readiness application

• Support the development of the GCF readiness application with DBSA
• Address logframe and theory of change comments from the GCF
• Support GCF Readiness concept note development
• Support the development of a full funding readiness proposal

2. Provide support in the development of the Climate Investment Platform (CIP)

• Stakeholder ecosystem mapping in the development of the CIP
• Facilitate coordination and information exchange among partners in the country in relation to the development and continuous management of the CIP
• Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate the development of the CIP as directed by the CD: CCA, NT and the DBSA including within the DFFE, across government, and with various stakeholders more broadly
• Support the development and implementation of CIP as applicable with a project plan for continuous development and improvement, including identifying key funding sources and technical resources.

3. Support strategic partnerships for resource mobilization and development of a project pipeline for implementation

• Support the Chief Directorate’s initiatives in following up on and mobilizing strategic partner financing for adaptation project pipeline implementation
• Ensure a pipeline of adaptation projects and investments are embedded within the CIP

4. Organize and support multi-stakeholder dialogues for the development of the Climate Investment Platform

• When requested, facilitate national country specific multi-stakeholder CIP dialogues
• Support the government in preparing for CIP-related events such as COPs, regional climate weeks, national events, and other convenings relevant to showcase the CIP progress and generate support for implementation thereof
• Organize coordination meetings between the Support Unit and the government as needed

5. Support monitoring & evaluation efforts of adaptation measures and indicators

• Improve National Climate Change Information System (NCCIS)
• Update and improve National Climate Change Response Database (NCCRD)
• Develop climate change adaptation indicators
• Development of the Annual Climate Change Report
• Conduct provincial Indigenous Knowledge System studies
• Support the hosting of two Climate Change Adaptation Technical Working Group sessions
• Participate and contribute technically to four National Disaster Management Forums or related per annum

Skills

Climate, Policy Analysis, Project Management, Resource Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Mobilization, Effective communication

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational 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.

Education Requirements

Required

• An advanced degree (master's or higher) preferably in public policy, development, climate change, climate finance, natural resource management, environmental management, economics and development or any other relevant field of study.
• Bachelor's degree in related discipline with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (4 total) may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in multilateral, national and grassroots governance and processes related to climate change, policy and/or developing national Systems
• Knowledge of the country’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change
• Experience managing national stakeholder engagement processes

Desired

• Familiarity with government processes including climate financing, bilateral cooperation and past experience on government climate change process
• Experience in fostering formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders
• Direct experience in climate policy, climate finance and investment planning.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.