Programme Specialist - Nature, Climate, and Energy

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the backbone of the UN development system and its premier development agency, partnering with countries to advance sustainable development through policy, technical expertise, implementation, and global partnerships. Established to address complex challenges and strengthen institutions, UNDP operates in over 170 countries and territories, working closely with governments to deliver inclusive, broad-based growth. In Malaysia, UNDP has been a partner for over six decades, contributing to the country's transition to an upper-middle-income economy through various initiatives in governance, poverty reduction, energy, climate, digitalization, and inclusive growth. The UNDP Country Office serves Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam, leveraging regional expertise and fostering cross-border innovation. The Country Programme Document (2026-2030) outlines UNDP's strategic engagement in Malaysia, reinforcing its role as a trusted advisor and delivery partner for scalable, results-driven solutions aimed at promoting inclusive prosperity, sustainability, and resilience. UNDP is recognized as a key partner for nature, climate, and biodiversity action globally and within Malaysia, and is currently seeking an experienced leader to head its Nature, Climate, and Energy portfolio.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist for the Nature, Climate, and Energy (NCE) portfolio plays a crucial role in UNDP Malaysia’s 2026–2030 Country Programme, which focuses on advancing UNDP’s leadership in energy, climate, and biodiversity. This position is responsible for overseeing the largest portion of programme delivery and fiduciary responsibility within the Country Office. The Programme Specialist serves as a senior strategic advisor on all NCE matters, providing critical analysis to inform decisions, priorities, and risk management. The role requires collaboration across programme, policy, and operations teams to ensure an integrated, results-focused portfolio. The Programme Specialist will lead programme design, policy advisory, and portfolio planning, advancing new initiatives and financing that align with national priorities and the Country Programme. Building high-level partnerships with government, vertical funds, and the private sector is essential, as is ensuring strong oversight, compliance, and fiduciary integrity. The incumbent will also serve as UNDP’s senior government counterpart for vertically financed programmes, overseeing governance, delivery, risk, and compliance, while ensuring alignment with national priorities and funding requirements. This position is pivotal in driving the strategic direction and management of the NCE portfolio, ensuring that it meets its objectives and delivers measurable impact.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Programme Specialist will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including:

• Leading analysis of national and regional policy, regulatory, and financing trends on nature, climate, and energy across Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, providing forward-looking advice to guide strategic planning, programme design, and implementation readiness.
• Identifying priority areas for NCE programming that align with UNDP strategic objectives, national climate and energy commitments, and partner priorities, while driving government engagement to operationalize Country Programme Document (CPD) results through joint UN and multi-partner initiatives.
• Ensuring strategic coherence, technical rigor, and results orientation across the NCE portfolio, with strong theories of change, measurable indicators, and evidence-based reporting against corporate and country programme targets.
• Applying UNDP programme and operations policies to NCE delivery, strengthening efficiency, fiduciary integrity, risk management, and standardized procedures across projects and implementing partners.
• Monitoring NCE portfolio performance, delivery, and risk exposure, ensuring timely corrective action, measurable energy and development impact, and systematic use of lessons learned to improve implementation and accountability.
• Providing strategic oversight of programmes and projects, ensuring compliance with corporate standards, safeguards, fiduciary requirements, and vertical fund rules.
• Leading annual planning, quarterly reviews, and performance monitoring, tracking portfolio results and KPIs, and advising Senior Management on corrective actions based on risk and performance trends.
• Establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships and leading resource mobilization efforts in cooperation with Senior Management and other programme units.
• Championing innovation in programme delivery and leading the adoption of new approaches that accelerate results. 1
• Translating evaluation findings, monitoring data, and lessons learned into programme and policy adjustments that strengthen results. 1
• Supervising, managing, and developing various personnel within the unit.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Natural Resources Management, Climate Action, Energy, Environmental Management, Conservation and Biodiversity, Business Administration, Public Administration, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Environmental Law, International Relations, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or any related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be considered in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience (with a master’s degree) or 7 years (with a bachelor’s degree) providing policy or management advisory services in nature, climate, energy, or related fields at national or international levels.
• At least 2 years of experience overseeing multiple complex development projects in areas such as climate, energy, development/climate finance, disaster risk reduction, or related areas is required.
• Strong understanding of policy development processes, preferably in Malaysia, with proven ability to lead multi-stakeholder coordination and partnerships across development actors is desired.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams, preferably in climate, energy, or biodiversity sectors to deliver results is desired.
• Familiarity with UNDP policies and procedures, particularly in donor and vertical fund management, is an advantage.
• Proficiency in standard office software and web-based management systems is required.
• Experience in resource mobilization is an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Natural Resources Management, Climate Action, Energy, Environmental Management, Conservation and Biodiversity, Business Administration, Public Administration, Environmental Law, International Relations, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or any related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the aforementioned areas, combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be considered in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience for candidates with a master’s degree or 7 years for those with a bachelor’s degree. This experience should include providing policy or management advisory services in nature, climate, energy, or related fields at national or international levels. Additionally, candidates should have at least 2 years of experience overseeing multiple complex development projects in areas such as climate, energy, development/climate finance, disaster risk reduction, or related areas. Experience with a UN agency or international organization, particularly in donor and vertical fund management, is advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Bahasa Malaysia is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of a fixed-term appointment with UNDP, and candidates should be aware that continuation beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon successful completion of a probationary period. UNDP values diversity and encourages qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. The organization is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel can thrive and contribute to its mission. UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process and is dedicated to maintaining a harassment-free environment.