Portfolio Advisor (Climate)

Job Posting Organization:
UNOPS, established as a central resource of the United Nations, is dedicated to supporting partners in building a better future through efficient, effective, and sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services. With a presence in approximately 125 countries, UNOPS collaborates with governments, donors, and various UN organizations to enhance peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects. The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) specifically aids the United Nations Secretariat and other New York-based UN entities in fulfilling UNOPS's mandate. The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) within UNOPS combines several portfolios to support diverse partners in their operations, focusing on peacebuilding and humanitarian efforts. UNOPS has also partnered with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to implement activities that align with climate finance requirements, particularly through the establishment of a new Climate Innovation Section.

Job Overview:
The Portfolio Advisor (Climate) position is crucial for improving OCHA's systems and processes to align with climate finance requirements. The role involves providing strategic advice on engaging partners to scale investments in climate finance, particularly in fragile contexts. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and capable of thriving in a multidisciplinary international team. They will guide stakeholder engagement to enhance the delivery of OCHA's climate action portfolio, which includes the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) Climate Action Account. The candidate will also be responsible for operationalizing OCHA's climate action initiatives, focusing on delivery, performance monitoring, reporting, and quality assurance. This position requires a proactive approach and strong problem-solving skills, as the incumbent will work closely with various stakeholders to refine and improve climate action strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Portfolio Advisor will report to the Senior Programme Manager and work under the direction of OCHA's Climate Innovation Section Chief. Key responsibilities include:

• Strengthening monitoring and reporting of OCHA's climate-related programs to ensure alignment with donor requirements and OECD standards.
• Developing strategic advice and tools for monitoring, reporting, compliance, and quality assurance related to climate finance.
• Contributing to internal and external policy papers, business plans, communication products, and briefing notes.
• Identifying and supporting programming opportunities related to climate, particularly for the CERF Climate Action Account, and advising on engagement with funding partners.
• Supporting the delivery and performance of the CERF Climate Action Account, ensuring adherence to reporting norms and quality assurance.
• Guiding engagement with new partners to channel additional climate finance for resilience-building in fragile contexts.
• Facilitating technical exchanges between OCHA-managed funds and public/private sector partners to align objectives and outcomes.
• Performing other duties as required in line with the scope of services.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in fields such as international relations, humanitarian affairs, public health, engineering, business administration, or finance, along with seven years of relevant experience. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor's or equivalent) with nine years of relevant experience is acceptable. Relevant experience includes climate finance, humanitarian action, policy development, and humanitarian finance. Field experience in humanitarian or development contexts is essential, while experience working with donor governments and in resource mobilization is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as international relations, humanitarian affairs, public health, engineering, business administration, or finance, along with seven years of relevant experience. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor's degree or equivalent) is acceptable, provided the candidate has nine years of relevant experience. This educational background ensures that candidates have the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of climate finance and humanitarian action.

Experience:
Candidates are expected to have significant experience in climate finance, humanitarian action, policy development, and related areas. A minimum of seven years of relevant experience is required for those with a master's degree, or nine years for those with a bachelor's degree. Field experience in humanitarian and development contexts is crucial, as it provides practical insights into the challenges and opportunities in these areas. Experience working with donor governments and in resource mobilization is also highly desirable, as it enhances the candidate's ability to engage effectively with funding partners.

Languages:
Fluency in English (reading, writing, speaking) is mandatory for this position. Additionally, knowledge of at least one other official UN language is considered an asset, as it can facilitate communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in the international arena.

Additional Notes:
The contract type for this position is an Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA), with levels available as International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA-3) or Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA-11). The contract duration is ongoing, subject to good performance, availability of funds, and organizational requirements. Although the position level is indicated as IICA-3, a local fee scale (LICA-11) may be applied based on the candidate's personal situation, such as having a national ID or resident permit. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds, including women, indigenous and racialized communities, and individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. All personnel are expected to adhere to UNOPS policies and demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Background checks are conducted on all potential personnel, and recruitment is contingent on the results of these checks.