Technical Coordination Senior Officer (Home based Retainer) - Pretoria, South Africa

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 located in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that focus on advancing sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding, particularly in challenging environments. The organization operates in over 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. UNOPS is committed to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring that its initiatives align with global priorities.

Job Overview:
The Technical Coordination Senior Officer will play a crucial role in enhancing South Africa's climate action efforts by strengthening the science-policy interface and facilitating national participation in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) processes. This position is pivotal in coordinating scientific inputs, managing expert networks, and ensuring that climate science is effectively integrated into national policy frameworks. The incumbent will work closely with the National Focal Point and various technical teams within the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to advance scientific integrity in climate action planning and implementation. This role is designed to support South Africa's engagement in IPCC processes, which are essential for informing national climate policies and strategies, particularly in the context of the country's transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• National Technical Coordination: Establish and operationalize a national IPCC technical/scientific committee, provide secretariat support, and ensure effective functioning of the committee. Coordinate expert consultations on IPCC reports and outputs.
• IPCC Processes & Review Management: Coordinate national participation in IPCC review processes, organize and lead expert review workshops, and manage the nomination of national experts for IPCC roles.
• Science & Policy Alignment: Ensure alignment between IPCC findings and national climate policy processes, support the development of national IPCC positions, and facilitate the identification of scientific gaps and initiate response actions.
• Knowledge and Data Management: Maintain and regularly update a national IPCC expert database and track national contributions to IPCC processes.
• International Relation Support: Provide technical support to South Africa’s participation in IPCC panel sessions and technical working groups, and contribute to preparation for approval sessions and negotiations. The impact of these results will include a functional national scientific coordination mechanism, increased quality of South African contributions to IPCC assessments, improved integration of IPCC science into national policy frameworks, and well-coordinated national participation in international IPCC processes.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should possess a Bachelor’s degree in climate science, environmental science, or a related field, with a Master’s degree being an added advantage. A minimum of 4 years of experience in climate science or policy-related work is required, particularly within international frameworks. The candidate should demonstrate experience in scientific coordination, research synthesis, or policy support, along with strong knowledge of South Africa’s climate policies and institutional frameworks. Excellent analytical, stakeholder engagement, and report-writing skills are essential, and a strong understanding of IPCC processes and assessment cycles is desired. Experience with data management and information systems will be beneficial.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in climate science, environmental science, or a related field. A Master’s degree in related fields is preferred and will be considered an advantage.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 4 years of relevant experience in climate science or policy-related work, particularly within international frameworks. Demonstrated experience in scientific coordination, research synthesis, or policy support is essential, along with a strong understanding of South Africa’s climate policies and institutional frameworks. The ability to engage stakeholders effectively and produce high-quality reports is critical for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English 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, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from government facilities. The incumbent must use their own laptop and software. This is a local position, and candidates must be nationals of South Africa or hold a valid residence permit in South Africa. The position is for a duration of 12 months, with a maximum of 220 working days, and there is a possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not request candidates to make payments during the recruitment process. Applications must be submitted before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date.