Regional Senior Advisor for Africa and the Middle East

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the international environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Established in 1972, UNEP has grown to encompass a vast network of partnerships and collaborations across various sectors, with a mission to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices. UNEP operates in over 150 countries, employing thousands of professionals dedicated to addressing pressing environmental challenges and fostering international cooperation. The NDC Act & Invest Initiative, a global program led by UNEP, aims to help countries raise their climate ambition and translate their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) into actionable, investable plans, thereby bridging the gap between climate commitments and tangible implementation.

Job Overview:
The Regional Senior Advisor for Africa and the Middle East will play a pivotal role in leading the strategic and technical direction of UNEP's regional portfolio in Latin American countries. This position requires a deep understanding of climate change policies and the ability to provide senior technical input, review, validation, and strategic recommendations to enhance countries' readiness and delivery of NDC investment and implementation priorities. The Advisor will work closely with government focal points, NDC Partnership teams, and national and international implementing partners to ensure coherence, quality assurance, and results orientation across country workplans and deliverables. The role also involves serving as UNEP's senior technical focal point for Latin American countries within the NDC Act and Invest project, facilitating alignment among partners and counterparts, and recommending necessary adjustments to keep interventions responsive to national priorities and emerging opportunities. The Advisor will support a regional portfolio that includes priority engagement countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, and Chile, and may evolve based on country demand, donor priorities, and UNEP's strategic positioning.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Regional Senior Advisor include:

• Leading the strategic and technical direction of UNEP's regional NDC support portfolio, ensuring alignment with national priorities and effective implementation of NDC-related technical assistance streams.
• Promoting coherence and quality assurance across country workplans, deliverables, and advisory products.
• Providing senior technical input and strategic recommendations to strengthen countries' readiness for NDC investment and implementation.
• Serving as UNEP's senior technical focal point for Latin American countries, facilitating alignment among partners and recommending course corrections as needed.
• Supporting the mobilization of additional funding and partnerships aligned with objectives and country needs.
• Contributing to cross-country knowledge sharing by synthesizing lessons learned and best practices.
• Representing UNEP in high-level and technical meetings, ensuring visibility and alignment of NDC Act & Invest efforts with partners.
• Leading preparation and finalization of Terms of Reference for experts and studies, ensuring consistency with country priorities.
• Contributing to administrative follow-up of activities and internal/external reporting.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a university degree (Bachelor's Degree) in environmental engineering, political and natural sciences, environmental management, or a closely related field. An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Climate Change, Sustainability, environmental resource management, or related studies is also required. A first-level Post Graduate Degree (Specialization) in project management, environmental development, or a socio-economic related field is desirable. Candidates should have at least 5 years of general professional experience in climate change/environmental affairs, sustainability, and/or energy efficiency, with more experience being preferable. Additionally, at least 3 years of experience coordinating environmental and climate change projects in Latin American countries is required, along with experience in public policy development and implementation regarding NDC compliance in LATAM countries. Experience working with the UN and Civil Society Organizations is also necessary, as well as experience in institutional assessment and capacity building related to climate change mitigation, adaptation, or climate finance.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree (Bachelor's Degree) in environmental engineering, political and natural sciences, environmental management, or a closely related field. An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Climate Change, Sustainability, environmental resource management, or related studies is required. A first-level Post Graduate Degree (Specialization) in project management, environmental development, or a socio-economic related field is desirable, indicating a strong educational foundation relevant to the responsibilities of the position.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of general professional experience in climate change/environmental affairs, sustainability, and/or energy efficiency. Candidates should have at least 3 years of experience coordinating environmental and climate change projects specifically in Latin American countries. Experience with the development and implementation of public policies regarding compliance with NDCs in LATAM countries is essential. Additionally, experience working with or for the UN and Civil Society Organizations is required, along with experience in institutional assessment and capacity building related to climate change mitigation, adaptation, or climate finance.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, and a confident level of English is required. This bilingual proficiency is essential for effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders across the Latin American region and beyond.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for 12 months, from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 202

• The Advisor will work primarily from Paris, with the possibility of home-based work and travel to Bogota and other Latin American countries as needed. The role is full-time, and the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. The organization is committed to supporting developing countries in planning and implementing climate actions, and the Advisor will be expected to contribute to other climate-change-related assignments as time permits.