Senior Climate Resilient Urban Development Advisor (Home based Retainer) - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Job Posting Organization:
The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) is a key entity within the United Nations Office for Project Services, established to bring together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impactful results worldwide. With operational hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding, particularly in challenging environments. The organization supports UNOPS' strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries, collaborating closely with major global partners, including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies, to provide a wide range of services such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

Job Overview:
The Senior Climate Resilient Urban Development Advisor will play a pivotal role in supporting the Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure Development in Ethiopia. This position is designed for a mid-level professional who will independently provide strategic and technical support, focusing on mobilizing climate finance, developing high-quality investment pipelines, and strengthening institutional capacity. The Advisor will work closely with senior government leadership and regional bureaus to translate Ethiopia's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) into actionable projects that enhance urban resilience and promote low-carbon infrastructure. The role emphasizes capacity building, system strengthening, and improving coordination within the urban sector, ensuring that urban development aligns with climate-smart principles and sustainable practices. The Advisor will also engage in stakeholder coordination, monitoring, and knowledge management to facilitate collaboration among various government departments and partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Climate Resilient Urban Development Advisor include:

• Project Development and Climate Finance: Identify and prioritize climate-resilient urban investment opportunities, prepare high-quality project proposals for climate financing, and develop bankable project documents.
• Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening: Assess institutional capacity gaps, design and deliver training for Ministry staff and municipalities, and develop practical tools and guidance materials.
• Policy, Planning, and Strategy Advisory: Provide strategic advice on urban climate priorities, support the review of sector policies, and help scale up good practices from ongoing initiatives.
• Stakeholder Coordination, Monitoring, and Knowledge Management: Facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders, develop climate-responsive monitoring systems, and document lessons learned from urban initiatives.
• Other Related Tasks: Undertake field missions, prepare briefs for Ministry leadership, and carry out any other strategic or technical tasks as requested.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in fields such as Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Climate Change, or related disciplines. A Bachelor's degree with additional relevant experience may be accepted. Candidates should have at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in urban climate resilience, climate finance, or related areas, with a strong understanding of climate finance architecture and donor requirements. Proven experience in institutional capacity building and knowledge of climate-resilient urban development is essential. Desired qualifications include a PhD in relevant fields and experience in preparing high-quality project proposals and working with development partners.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Climate Change, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field. A Bachelor's degree in a related discipline with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted instead of an advanced degree. A PhD in urban planning or related fields is desired but not mandatory.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in urban climate resilience, climate finance, or infrastructure investment planning. Candidates should have a strong understanding of climate finance architecture and practical experience engaging with multilateral climate funds and development banks. Experience in institutional capacity building and supporting public institutions in project development is also essential. Desired experience includes preparing high-quality project proposals and working with development partners in urban resilience initiatives.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Amharic is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This is a home-based position for a duration of 12 months, with a maximum of 220 working days and the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. The position is open to nationals of Ethiopia or individuals with a valid residence permit in the country. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The role requires the incumbent to use their own laptop and software, as they will not be working from a UNOPS office.