Special Advisor - Climate Action and Energy Transition (Open to Tier 0 & 1 applicants)

I. Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

II. Background and Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading organization for sustainable development within the UN system and acts as the key integrator for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP operates across headquarters, regional, and country levels, leveraging local expertise alongside global insights to deliver effective advocacy and solutions. For six decades, UNDP has worked with partners to lift millions out of poverty and expand opportunities for all.

UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 is grounded in the determination to eradicate poverty—the greatest global challenge and a prerequisite for achieving the 2030 Agenda. Through the Strategic Plan, UNDP will continue supporting countries in advancing high human development while protecting the planet. Four strategic objectives—prosperity for all, effective governance, crisis resilience, and a healthy planet—guide its direction, powered by three accelerators: digital and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation, gender equality, and sustainable finance. All efforts are underpinned by a strong commitment to human rights and to leaving no one behind.

Within UNDP, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) bring together world-class policy expertise, flagship global programmes, and collaborative innovation and learning networks. BPPS ensures that UNDP is not only ready for the future but actively helps shape it with governments and partners. Working closely with the Crisis Bureau (CB), BPPS supports countries in navigating complex development and crisis contexts, integrating risk considerations into programming, and strengthening results-based management, innovation, and data-driven approaches.

The Global Policy Network (GPN) is central to this effort, mobilizing technical expertise to advance UNDP’s strategic objectives and signature solutions. Within the GPN, BPPS is responsible for developing policy and guidance, providing technical advice to Country Offices, representing UNDP in multi-stakeholder fora, and supporting UN inter-agency coordination across thematic areas.

The position of Special Advisor is located within the UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition (the “UNDP Rome Centre”). The central purpose of the Rome Centre is to ensure the effective implementation and further development of the strategic partnership between UNDP and the Government of Italy, while advancing broader collaboration with G7 and G20 countries in support of sustainable development.

The Rome Centre focuses on three priority areas: the Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance (PISTA), Youth Engagement in Climate Action, and Energy for Development.

PISTA aims to mobilize finance for climate, energy, and environment by originating projects that support decarbonization and climate-resilient transitions in developing economies, while catalyzing international financial resources. Matching impactful projects with investors goes hand in hand with engagement with financial institutions—both institutional and private—at Italian and global levels.

Energy for Growth promotes access to sustainable energy in developing countries, contributing to SDG7. It supports partner countries in unlocking finance to scale up clean energy solutions, expand energy access, and accelerate the energy transition. By connecting UNDP’s country presence and technical capacity with the public-private ecosystem of Italy and other G7 countries, the initiative helps mobilize capital aligned with the international energy and SDG agenda.

Youth4Climate advances youth engagement in climate action, contributing to SDG13. It supports youth-led and youth-inclusive solutions through financing and capacity development, while providing young climate leaders worldwide with a platform to engage with policymakers and global decision-makers.

The Rome Centre also holds a broader mandate to engage the Italian ecosystem, working closely with key public and private sector actors to mobilize financial resources for development objectives. To ensure effective implementation of the Centre’s workplan and its long-term strategic impact, the Rome Centre will continue to expand strategic partnerships and reinforce collaboration with Italy and other key partners.

The initiative aligns with UNDP’s goals on inclusive climate governance, energy transition, and intergenerational equity, linking global policy to local implementation.

III. Position Purpose

The Special Advisor will provide high-level policy, programmatic, and political advisory support to UNDP senior leadership, strengthening UNDP's strategic positioning and institutional partnership with host and partner governments and key intergovernmental stakeholders, with a particular focus on Italy – including the Prime Minister Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and other relevant institutions.

This position leads the political and institutional engagement strategy of UNDP with selected partner governments and intergovernmental bodies, with a focus on Italy, under the direction of the Coordinator, UNDP Rome Centre, ensuring that strategic political priorities such as the Mattei Plan and G7 legacy translate into scalable, SDG-aligned development partnerships. The incumbent provides senior-level counsel to UNDP senior management, represents UNDP in critical intergovernmental negotiations, and manages a cross-functional team to align country, regional, global programming and the evolving policy priorities of key government counterparts.

This role also supports the institutional development of the Rome Centre and acts as key point of contact with key Italian government entities and international partners in full alignment with UNDP’s mandate and governance framework.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across
interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions,
teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

IV. Key Duties and Accountabilities

1.) Lead Political and Strategic Advisory Functions

• In close collaboration with the UNDP Director in Italy, the incumbent serves as the UNDP interlocutor with high-level political counterparts, including the Prime Minister’s Office and other key political stakeholders representing UNDP’s perspectives and ensuring alignment with its mandate.
• Advice to UNDP senior leadership on global political priorities, including on Italian institutional priorities, political developments, and opportunities for strategic alignment.
• Advice and support the Coordinator, UNDP Rome Centre in shaping and delivering strategic communications and high-level visibility strategies that advance UNDP’s development agenda.

2.) Lead Institutional Coordination and Policy Integration

• Coordination of cross-ministerial engagements with a focus on Italian strategic initiatives for international development such as the Mattei Plan for Africa, ensuring coherence between Italian development priorities and UNDP Rome Centre’s work in line with UNDP’s Strategic Plan and governance framework.
• Leading the facilitation of inter-agency collaboration across UNDP units (BPPS, Regional Bureau, Country Offices) to ensure a coherent positioning under global political development priorities, including the Mattei Plan and Italian Cooperation-linked initiatives.
• Guiding policy dialogue and contribute to joint programming frameworks that advance shared political and development objectives between UNDP and relevant countries’ governments with a focus on Italy.

3.) Lead Partnerships Development, Representation and External Engagement

• Leading engagement with public sector partners, and other relevant stakeholders on behalf of UNDP Rome Centre.
• Representation of UNDP Rome Centre in high-level political and intergovernmental engagements—under the coordination of the UNDP Director in Italy—ensuring coherent positioning, messaging, and follow-up with priority counterparts. As well as representing the UNDP Rome Centre in G7-related development coordination and serve as focal point for selected G7 Flagship Initiatives.
• Forging and maintaining strategic partnerships to mobilize investments and technical cooperation in key sectors (sustainable energy, digital, climate adaptation, and finance for development).

4.) Coordinate and Ensure Management of Strategic Initiatives

• Liaising with Planet and DAI Hubs and with relevant stakeholders in the Italian government, in the implementation of flagship programmes - Adaptation Accelerator Hub and AI Hub for Sustainable Development - and selected strategic initiatives
• Managing a team responsible for political affairs, strategic outreach, coordination, and programme integration. Ensure quality control, reporting, and internal accountability mechanisms inclusive of the Rome Centre engagements with Italy.

5.) Ensure Knowledge Building and Management:

• Promote identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the programme for organizational sharing and learning. Promote knowledge sharing and a learning culture within inter-agency collaboration across UNDP units.
• Apply lessons learned from programme implementation to management practices and programme development. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.
• Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise and mentor persobbel under the political affairs and strategic initiatives portfolio.
• Lead cross-functional working groups across thematic and institutional priorities. Support the Director of UNDP in Italy in managing wide coordination and leadership responsibilities.

6.) The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation:

• Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise and mentor persobbel under the political affairs and strategic initiatives portfolio.
• Lead cross-functional working groups across thematic and institutional priorities.
• Support the Director of UNDP in Italy in managing wide coordination and leadership responsibilities.

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in International Relations, Development Studies, Political Science, Social Policy, Public Policy, or a 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

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• A minimum of 10 years (with master’s degree) or 12 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in government and international organizations, with management responsibilities is required.
• Proven track record in high-level political engagement, policy dialogue, and multilateral diplomacy is required. Demonstrated experience working with senior government officials, particularly in G7 and European Commission initiatives is required.
• Prior experience engaging with key Italian public institutions, particularly in the context of international cooperation, is required. Experience and deep understanding of international cooperation frameworks and financing for development is an asset. Solid experience and demonstrated results in managing teams, leading inter-agency operations, and establishing partnerships, resource management, and negotiations is an asset.
• Solid experience with Italy-led international initiatives and multilateral forums to strengthen strategic engagement is an asset.
• Experience and knowledge of UNDP’s systems, policies, and global development is an asset.
• Experience in managing European Union-funded programmes is an asset.
• Fluency in English and working knowledge of Italian is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language would be an asset.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area Name Definition Partnership management Strategic engagement Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives Business Direction & Strategy System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system Business Direction & Strategy Entrepreneurial Thinking Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop clear service offers responding to client needs in line with UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate Business Direction & Strategy Negotiation and Influence Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations. Business Direction & Strategy Effective Decision Making Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications. Business Development UNDP Representation Effectively represent and advocate for UNDP, its values, mission, work, and positions with various constituencies/audiences, shares UNDP knowledge and activities. Business Management Portfolio management Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management

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