Climate Specialist

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Description

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UNOPS 2022-2025 Strategic Plan includes an ambition of reducing UNOPS climate footprint, as part of the UN global priority of combating climate change. The CEB-approved UN Sustainability Strategy (UNSS) 2020-2030 places a similar expectation on UN system agencies, with a view of aligning to the IPCC emission reduction targets. In line with the new objective to significantly reduce its emissions by 2030, UNOPS is looking at scaling up its emission reduction activities and is recruiting a “Climate Specialist” to join its team. The UNOPS Climate Action Programme and UNOPS Climate Strategy require different resources to contribute to its implementation and maintenance. The Climate Specialist will be expected to support the organisation’s commitment predominantly in the area of mitigation (particularly supply chain emissions) and adaptation activities.

The Climate Specialist will join the Climate Action Programme as part of the Procurement Group in UNOPS Headquarters in Copenhagen; and will report to the Climate Action Programme Manager (primary) and Procurement Group Director (secondary). 

Due to the nature of the job, the selected candidate may be requested to travel to field offices, and to other off-site events if and when relevant.

Functional Responsibilities:

The Climate Specialist will form part of the UNOPS Climate Action Programme (CAP) and support the efforts in corporate and project-related climate mitigation and adaptation objectives. The Climate Specialist will work within the Procurement Group (while supporting other UNOPS units under the CAP mandate) and be responsible for facilitating the implementation of the climate action plan and road map responsible for and including the following:

Climate Action Planning and Strategy Implementation:

• Manage the implementation of the “Scope 3 contribution Climate Action Plan (CAP)” to UNOPS climate action/activities, through the development of appropriate pathways for targeted reduction in value chain emissions.
• Review and further develop  the methodology and high-level assessment to establish a baseline of UNOPS scope 3 emissions, confirm materiality and approach aligned with targeted reduction at a corporate procurement level and for provisions at a project level.
• Design and develop UNOPS GHG report expanded to value chain (Scope 3).
• Develop Progressive management approaches in the value chain (scope 3).
• Develop practical guidance for GHG reduction in UNOPS infrastructure, procurement and supply chain.
• While working with the appropriate stakeholders:
• Identify policy improvements for the consideration of mandatory requirements within project strategy and design.
• Develop suitable climate-related sustainable procurement criteria for procurement (supply chain) activities.’
• Develop appropriate guidance on how to consider and implement climate related actions and activities.
• Establish a suitable monitoring, evaluation and reporting approach to fulfill the commitments and expectations of corporate and project activities. 
• Develop pilots to trial new criteria and approaches with country offices, project teams, partners and/or other stakeholders.
• Provide technical climate support to country offices, project teams, partners and/or other stakeholders.

Capacity Building and Training:

• Lead, in collaboration with key stakeholder and respective teams, the development of communication material in various shapes and formats to reach diverse audiences with information on climate, and on the CAP activities
• Lead, in collaboration with key stakeholder and respective teams, the development of  training materials and knowledge tools to upskill and inform UNOPS internal stakeholders. 
• Conduct Project-related Capacity Development and Training (for Procurement, Infrastructure and other value-chain emissions)

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Supervise and coordinate the work of the Climate Analyst supporting the CAP.
• Collaborate with other UNOPS experts and other relevant stakeholders on climate projects in the climate project group, Infrastructure and Project Management Group, the climate mission hubs and other relevant projects.
• Promote communications and knowledge sharing around climate and sustainable supply chains.
• Contribute to UNOPS knowledge management by capturing case studies and best practice examples of climate-related activities throughout UNOPS.
• Act as secretariat to the CAP Programme Board.

Education Experience Language requirements:

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) in climate science, logistics, humanitarian development, engineering, supply chain, environmental sustainability, sustainable procurement, international development; or a relevant field is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree in the above-mentioned areas or related field with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• 5 years of combined experience across the following areas
• emission reduction and CO2 emissions calculations;
• scope 3 accounting methodologies;
• carbon footprint (scope 3 emissions) reduction strategies;
• capacity building, training or learning on climate change subjects.
• Minimum of 1 year experience of past supervisory experience is required (within the total 5 years)
• Minimum of 6 months experience in working with climate reporting processes (within the total 5 years)

The following knowledge/experience will be considered as an asset:

• Knowledge of organisational processes and systems that support monitoring and reporting for environmental management, and GHG emissions is highly desirable.
• Experience in the UN system organisations, preferably in a developing country, is desirable.
• Demonstrable experience working in complex, multi-faceted organizations on issues related to supply chain, procurement policy and operational sustainability is an advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and oral English is a requirement
• Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an advantage

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=29772#3

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