The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global 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.
The overall objective of UNEP’s Climate Change Division is to deliver effective strategic guidance and high-impact action in support of the transition towards climate stability. Its work is guided by ambition, innovation, credible science, and alignment to global climate goals and needs of individual countries. The Climate Change Division works with Member States and partners to accelerate and support a just transition by addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation through enhancing implementation capacity, provision of data, information and knowledge, access to finance and technology, and building resilience. It promotes sustainable development and effective policies for climate stability; supports action so that countries progress on decarbonisation, dematerialisation, and resilience pathways in line with their climate commitments, aspirations, and needs; and fosters transparency in reporting.
The Project Specialist is required to manage part of UNEP’s portfolio of GEF, AF, and GCF climate change adaptation projects in Asia, comprising 5 countries, and contributing to the Subnational Climate Action Unit’s broader portfolio of climate-nature initiatives at subnational level. The Project Specialist will manage part of UNEP’s portfolio of GEF, AF, and GCF climate change adaptation projects in Asia, working in close collaboration with designated Programme Management Assistants and Finance Assistants. In addition, the Project Specialist will contribute to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of programmes and activities related to climate and nature action at the subnational level.
Subnational climate-nature initiatives Under the Subnational Climate Action Unit, the Project Specialist will undertake the following duties,
• Support the development and implementation of a portfolio of projects and initiatives advancing integrated climate and nature action at the subnational and city level, with a focus on nature-based solutions (NbS) and climate adaptation by assisting in the design, coordination and implementation of global, regional and country-level initiatives that support subnational governments in advancing integrated approaches to climate resilience, biodiversity protection and sustainable urban development, with a focus on nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation.
• Support the implementation and oversight of project activities under a portfolio of initiatives on climate–nature action at the subnational level, while contributing to the development and advancement of additional global and regional initiatives in this area.
• Contribute to the development of partnerships with key international organizations, national and subnational governments, research institutions and other stakeholders to support the implementation of climate–nature initiatives at the subnational level.
• Support the coordination of project activities, events, stakeholder engagement processes and the development of knowledge products related to integrated climate and biodiversity action, nature-based solutions, and urban climate adaptation.
• Assist the Programme Officer in the project financial and administrative management, including the management of human resources in the subnational climate action unit.
• Assist the Programme Officer in the project monitoring and reporting, as well as in project development activities including drafting and submitting annual and quarterly project narrative and financial reports, UNEP internal monitoring processes through regular reporting and coordination of inputs into Integrated Planning, Management and Reporting (IPMR) solution, prepare programme/project concept notes/document and budgets development, in line with donor requirements.
• Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, case study compendia, briefs, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, and inputs to publications.
• Provide administrative and substantive support for consultative meetings and events.
• Undertake any additional supporting tasks, as and when it is required by the Head of the Unit and Chief of the Branch.