Climate Change Specialist, Green Economy (Home based Retainer) - Tashkent, Uzbekistan

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

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. 

The NDC Partnership

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition advancing the Paris Agreement by strengthening capacity and collaboration for country-owned climate and development action. 

With over 270 members, including over 140 countries and more than 120 institutions, the NDC Partnership aligns partner support behind country priorities, builds shared knowledge and generates evidence to inform effective NDC implementation, sustained investment and higher ambition that drives sustainable development. 

Working through a country-driven model, countries set the agenda by identifying their NDC priorities, and partners deliver coordinated, high-impact support that increases efficiency and reduces duplication. 

The NDC Partnership has unmatched insight into on-the-ground climate realities, drawn from diverse expertise and collaborative learning across its membership. Grounded in country action, these insights shape the global climate agenda.

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). 

Uzbekistan joined the NDC Partnership in 2025 with the aim of strengthening coordination and mobilizing international technical and financial support for the implementation of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. The Government of Uzbekistan is advancing climate action through the transition to a green economy and the integration of climate priorities into national development and economic policy frameworks. In this context, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) plays a key role in coordinating economic and financial aspects of climate policy, including investment planning, budgeting processes, and engagement with development partners.

The embedded Green Economy Coordinator will support MEF in coordination across government institutions and development partners, integration of climate priorities into economic and financial policies, and mobilization of technical and financial support for NDC implementation. The Coordinator will work closely with MEF departments and coordinate line ministries, regional authorities, and development partners to support priority areas including green economy transition, regional development and sustainable urbanization, energy efficiency, development of carbon market mechanisms, promotion of resource efficiency and productivity, and strengthening climate transparency systems (MRV/ETF).

The embedded Green Economy Coordinator 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. The Coordinator will be working in close coordination with the NDC Facilitator embedded at the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change, ensuring complementarity of roles and avoiding duplication of effort. Together, the two roles will form an integrated support structure for whole-of-government NDC implementation.

• 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 Home based position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from the government facilities. Therefore, the incumbent will need to use their own laptop and software. 

• As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of Uzbekistan or have a valid residence in Uzbekistan

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 

The incumbent will serve as the NDC Partnership’s interface in the country and operate as a liaison between the country and other NDC Partnership members. The role is one of coordination and supportive facilitation. They play a key role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the Country Engagement Process, by supporting ongoing coordination efforts between the Support Unit of the NDC Partnership, the various partners of the Partnership, and the government of Uzbekistan.

1. Coordination and communication with key stakeholders

• Facilitate internal coordination mechanism on NDC implementation within MEF and convene it regularly with documented meeting records and decisions.
• Facilitate regular consultation and coordination meetings on NDC and Long-Term Low
• Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS/LTS) and other priority climate action areas with relevant line ministries, regional authorities and national stakeholders. 
• Support the work of inter-agency NDC Working Group through facilitation of regular meetings, documentation of meeting records, decisions and next steps.
• Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the NDC Implementation Plan, LTS Roadmap or equivalent instrument, with a broad audience of stakeholders.
• Support MEF in maintaining structured dialogue on Green Economy Transition with private sector and international partners.

2. Resource mobilization for NDC Implementation

• Scope government’s strategic support needs for NDC Implementation and provide advisory support on resource mobilization process to the government of Uzbekistan.
• Facilitate government’s self-assessment against Building Blocks framework to identify and prioritize support needs.
• Assist the government in preparation of high-quality Requests For Support (RFS) for NDC Partnership, Terms of References and Project Concept Notes for other relevant partners.
• Support the MEF in the dialogue with implementing and development partners.

3. NDC Implementation Monitoring and Reporting

• Map ongoing and future support for climate action by key international partners. Prepare and maintain support mapping table with regular updates with a  primarily focus on mitigation projects.  
• Provide technical support for the government for the development of NDC Implementation Plan to ensure it meets best practices.
• Support the government in tracking and reporting progress against NDC Implementation Plan or another applicable instrument.
• Prepare quarterly Country Engagement Report for NDC Partnership, capturing surfaced support needs, key insights and progress updates, challenges, and recommendations for the way forward.

4. Institutional Capacity Building

• Proactively assess capacity gaps and needs of the MEF staff.
• Develop and deliver trainings for the government counterparts on NDC Partnership Digital Tools, NDC planning, monitoring and reporting, climate finance sources, and mainstreaming of climate targets into national development strategies.
• Support the gradual transfer of knowledge and responsibilities to MEF personnel to ensure the sustainability of NDC coordination functions.

5. Technical Support for Priority Climate Policy Areas

• Provide technical guidance for MEF on green economy transition and the integration of climate considerations into MEF's economic and financial policy frameworks.
• Provide technical support for MEF on integration of NDC priorities into national budgeting and planning frameworks and specifically into updated version of the Action plan for the transition to a green economy and ensuring green growth in the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2030 (Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated December 2, 2022, No. 436).
• Develop and maintain a live database of international climate finance windows/opportunities from GCF, GEF, MDBs, MAF and other development partners.

Required

• Master's degree or equivalent preferably in public policy, development, climate change, natural resource management, environmental management, economics or any other relevant field of study with 5 years of relevant experience OR
• A first-level university degree in a relevant field combined with two additional years (7 total) of qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Required

•  At least 5 years of multi-sectoral experience in climate change project management, encompassing stakeholder and donor engagement, climate finance, resource mobilization, and proposal development.
• Experience with multi-level governance and policy processes related to climate change, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
• Knowledge of the country’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change.

Desired

• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (COP), NDC and past experience on government climate change process.
• Experience working with investment promotion agencies and business associations.
• Experience of other Uzbekistan national contexts that indirectly contribute to climate change.
• Ability to foster formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
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