WEC Background
The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support.
WEC effectively operationalizes partners’ agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.
About the Group
The NDC Partnership
The NDC Partnership is a global coalition, bringing together more than 260 members, including more than 140 countries, developed and developing, and more than 110 institutions to deliver on ambitious climate action that helps achieve the Paris Agreement and drive sustainable development. Governments identify their NDC implementation priorities and the type of support that is needed to translate them into actionable policies and programs. Based on these requests, the membership offers a tailored package of expertise, technical assistance and funding. This collaborative response provides developing countries with efficient access to a wide range of resources to adapt to and mitigate climate change and foster more equitable and sustainable development. The NDC Partnership Support Unit is jointly hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC). For this project, the Consultant will be contracted through UNOPS.
Job Specific Context
Lesotho faces increasing climate and environmental challenges, including recurrent droughts, flooding, rising temperatures, and land degradation, which are placing growing pressure on water resources, agriculture, food security, human settlements, and the local economy. As a land-locked and highly climate-vulnerable country with a heavy reliance on climate-sensitive sectors, these impacts are exacerbating socio-economic vulnerability, particularly among rural communities. The challenges are further compounded by limited institutional capacity, data gaps, and the need for strengthened coordination across ministries and stakeholders to support effective climate action.
Lesotho submitted its Second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 2.0) in February 2025 and has expressed its intention to update this to NDC 3.0 in 2026. The NDC update process is expected to align with Lesotho’s national development priorities and long-term climate ambitions, including Vision 2030 objectives, the Extended National Strategic Development Plan II (NSDP II), the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and its Financing Strategy (once completed), the forthcoming Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS), the National Climate Change Policy (2017–2027), and international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union Agenda 2063, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Priority mitigation sectors under the current NDC include energy, AFOLU, IPPU, and waste, alongside a strong focus on adaptation in water, agriculture and food security, land management and land-use planning, human settlements, and the local economy.
The In-Country Facilitator will support the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, working closely with the Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS) as well as the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, in their roles as focal points for the NDC Partnership. The Facilitator will be responsible for strengthening national coordination for NDC implementation, supporting resource mobilisation efforts, and tracking progress across mitigation and adaptation actions including supporting development and/ or strengthening of systems to monitor progress against NDC targets. The Facilitator will also contribute to strengthening institutional and technical capacity in climate data management, policy development, and emissions tracking. as well as providing training and technical guidance to national stakeholders. The role will also support the Partnership focal points in their day-to-day engagement with national stakeholders, development partners, and technical processes related to NDC implementation, and the development of NDC 3.0, and the LT-LEDS.
The embedded facilitator will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and will work in close collaboration with the different ministerial offices and the National Climate Change Committee.
This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on availability of funds.
This is a Homebased position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from the government facilities. Therefore, the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software.
As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of Lesotho or have a valid residence permit in Lesotho.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Role Purpose
The incumbent will serve as the NDC Partnership’s primary interface in the country, acting as a liaison between the Government of Lesotho and other members of the NDC Partnership. The role is primarily one of coordination and supportive facilitation. The In-Country Facilitator plays a critical role in ensuring the effective implementation of the NDC Partnership Support Unit’s Country Engagement process by strengthening coordination among the Support Unit, Partnership members, and the Government of Lesotho. The role is expected to provide facilitation support across several key areas, including policy development and advisory services, capacity‑building initiatives for relevant institutions, and the development and strengthening of measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) frameworks. In addition, the role will contribute to knowledge management and reporting by systematically documenting lessons learned and best practices to inform continuous improvement and support evidence‑based climate action. Furthermore, the role is designed to support the Ministry of Environment and Forestry through the Lesotho Meteorological Services.
Functions / Key Results Expected
1. Coordination and communication with key stakeholders
Ensure that communications relevant to NDC Partnership engagement are shared with relevant national, international, and local level stakeholders.
Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in the country, with the aim of leveraging and mobilizing their respective advantages in support of the Implementation Plan, request for support letters or equivalent instruments. To this end, usage of existing government coordination mechanisms shall be prioritized.
Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the Implementation Plan, or equivalent instrument, with stakeholders.
2. Operationalization of NDC Implementation Plan
Collaborate with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and the Focal Points to manage and update the Plan in the Online Tool, ensuring information remains up to date and accessible for key stakeholders. When an Online does not exist yet, support the transition to the online tool if the government is seeking its use.
Identify implementing and development partners, compile and periodically update their contact details (name of focal point, email address, telephone number) and follow up with them regarding their contribution to the Implementation Plan or equivalent instrument.
When applicable, contribute to the development of the Implementation Plan Narrative and its validation by the government.
3. Facilitation of NDC Implementation Plan implementation
Create an Annual Work Plan that sets out specific goals for the facilitator role in collaboration with the Country Engagement Specialist and Focal Point.
Collaborate with the Support Unit to document changes in the operating context and provide support to the government and stakeholders in decision-making processes and new developments with respect to the Implementation Plan, equivalent instrument and its enabling environment.
4. Mobilization of resources for implementation
Support the government in following up on and mobilizing partner financing to close its support gaps to allow for NDC implementation as per the Implementation Plan or an equivalent instrument.
Update government needs and priorities for NDC implementation. When Implementation Plans are available, these should be regularly updated.
Work with the Support Unit to produce an overview of support gaps to make available to partners.
Engage with partners, including at the local/subnational level, to link needs to services and resources in accordance with Lesotho’s NDC and Implementation Plan (once developed).
Assist the government in coordinating with key donors, partners, and funding mechanisms on aligning country programs and projects with the needs and gaps identified in the Implementation Plan, other planning / coordination instruments, as applicable, and requests for support.
Assist and provide guidance to International and Development Partners to align climate projects and programmatic objectives with the Implementation Plan or other support planning / coordination instruments as applicable.
5. Tracking of Implementation Plan and Investment Plan implementation progress
Monitor and assess implementation of the Implementation Plan and coordinate periodic reporting of partners to the NDC Partnership.
Prepare quarterly country update reports summarizing key insights and progress updates, challenges, and recommendations for the way forward.
Assess progress outcomes of the NDC Partnership in-country engagement and make recommendations for adjustments.
6. Organize and support NDC-related meetings as needed
If requested, facilitate national country specific multi-stakeholder NDC dialogues.
Support the government in preparing for NDC-related events such as COPs, regional climate weeks, national events, and other convenings relevant to showcase NDC progress and generate support for implementation of the NDC.
Organize coordination meetings between the Support Unit and the government as needed.
Skills
Climate Change, Policy Analysis, Project Management, Resource Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Mobilization, Effective communication
Competencies