Job Highlight

Under the supervision of the Director, the Senior Programme Manager [Senior Advisor] supports the ASG and the Climate Action Team by leading the strategic planning and coordination of transition activities related to the change in UN leadership. The role provides strategic advice on political engagement, Member State relations, and institutional continuity, while coordinating consultations with internal and external stakeholders, supporting engagement across the UN system, and ensuring continuity of climate priorities, partnerships, and initiatives throughout the transition process.

Job Specific Context

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG) of the United Nations to implement the activities of the Climate Action Team (CAT) Project.

Following COP26 in Glasgow and COP27 in Sharm el-Sheik, there is less than a decade to prevent a climate breakdown. Without deep emissions cuts, the world is heading towards 2.4-degrees Celsius of warming with catastrophic consequences. At current levels of warming the world is experiencing unprecedented climate impacts.

In increase in global average temperature above 1.5˚C would mean extreme weather and climate disasters increasing in frequency and intensity, putting billions of people at immediate risk with significant parts of Africa becoming unlivable and whole countries ceasing to exist. The Secretary-General’s call to all countries, cities, companies and institutions to go into emergency mode on climate is needed more than ever.

While climate change risks undermining the 2030 Agenda, as well as the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable development, climate action also presents an opportunity. Green investments boost growth and jobs; just transitions are inclusive and help to eradicate poverty; and enhancing carbon sinks strengthen biodiversity and resilience. It will be essential to ensure that the transformation of economies and societies takes place to enable accelerated climate action in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The objective of the Secretary-General’s climate action strategy throughout his second term will be to accelerate this decade, the transition towards a resilient, net zero world, that keeps the 1.5˚C goal alive, to secure the alignment of public and private finance, of technological transfers and capacity building to enable the necessary cooperation and support needed by developing countries, to significantly enhance the credibility and accountability of commitments taken by governments and non-state actors to reach the Paris Agreement goals.

The Secretary- General’s Climate Action Team will focus on the following:

Raising ambition levels and concrete mitigation commitments by the major emitters, particularly the G20.

Contributing to the reform of the international climate finance architecture and the multilateral development banks including through the design and operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund decided at COP27.

Delivering tangible results to scale up adaptation and resilience finance and projects in developing countries including through cooperative initiatives.

Developing and implementing targeted strategies for fossil fuel phase-out and renewable energy scale-up including through the Just Energy Transition Partnerships and other cooperative initiatives.

Strengthening and verifying short-term and longer-term commitments made by non-state actors to reach net zero by 2050 through the implementation of the guidelines recommended to the Secretary-General at COP27 by the High-Level Group of Experts on Net Zero pledges

Enhancing UN system support to countries to deliver on the climate and environment-related Sustainable Development Goals this decade.

Providing up-to-date analytics and policy guidance for the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, UN leadership and Member States.

Designing and executing a cross-UN global communications campaign and movement focused on SG and UN leadership on climate action at all levels, and messaging and storytelling to build political will, elevate local solutions and mobilize individual actions.

Role Purpose

The effective and successful achievement of results by the incumbent directly impacts on the development and performance of the Climate Action Team, visibility and image of CAT, ensuring that the project is aligned with the overall priorities on the UN agenda.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the supervision of the Director, the Senior Programme Manager will be responsible for the following duties:

Strategic Transition Planning and Coordination

Advise the ASG on transition priorities, sequencing, and political sensitivities across the outgoing and incoming administrations.

Develop and execute a comprehensive transition strategy, informed by the CAT continuity plan and developed in consultation with relevant EOSG entities and key internal and external partners, to ensure continuity and an effective handover to the incoming Secretary-General and relevant UN entities.

Lead multi-stakeholder consultations in support of the transition strategy, through to the Secretary-General's approval.

Serve as an interlocutor with both transition teams on climate-related matters, ensuring coherent and consistent engagement.

UN System Coordination and Institutional Anchoring

Identify and coordinate the CAT's engagements with the broader UN system to ensure coherent, coordinated approaches to the transition.

Identify and pursue opportunities to formally anchor the CAT's work and partnerships within UN system structures, institutionalizing progress made under the current Secretary-General and minimizing the risk of losing momentum during leadership transition.

Political Engagement and Member State Relations

Support and advise on ASG on political engagements with Member States required for the transition, providing substantive analysis and strategic advice.

Perform other duties as may be required by the ASG.

How to apply

For further details and to submit your application, please click