NDC-P - Climate Science Specialist (Home based Retainer) - Panama City, Panama

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 is a global coalition, bringing together more than 250 members, including more than 130 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.

The Government of Panama became a member of the NDC Partnership on December 22, 2016, and takes great pride in its status as one of the world's few net-carbon-sink countries. Demonstrating a continuous and progressive commitment to global climate action, Panama submitted its First NDC in September 2016, its first update in December 2020, and its second update in June 2024. Building decisively upon this momentum, Panama launched its ambitious third-generation climate plan (NDC 3.0) under the Panama Pact with Nature.

Currently, the Ministry of Environment (MiAMBIENTE), under the leadership of the Directorate of Climate Change, is spearheading the operationalization and implementation of NDC 3.0. These efforts are designed in strict alignment with the country’s "National Socioeconomic, Inclusive, Low-Emission, and Climate-Resilient Strategy to 2050" (LT-LEDS) and the updated NDC Partnership Plan. Moving forward, Panama is focused on dramatically scaling up its national climate adaptation priorities, pioneering frameworks for human climate mobility, and protecting coastal-marine ecosystems, all while firmly preserving its baseline commitment to absolute carbon negativity.

To effectively navigate this enhanced climate agenda, the Ministry of Environment requires the embedded expertise of a Scientific Specialist. The Specialist will serve as a core technical resource to bridge the gap between national policy and the scientific community, ensuring that territorial planning, climate finance mobilization, and environmental diplomacy are backed by robust, evidence-based metrics. Working in close coordination with government focal points and the NDC Partnership Support Unit, the Specialistr will ensure that Panama’s ambitious climate governance translates directly into measurable, localized resilience.

To effectively navigate this enhanced climate agenda, the Ministry of Environment requires the embedded expertise of a Scientific Specialist.

The embedded specialist will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the Country Engagement Specialist and work closely with the Director of Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment and the Country Engagement Specialist at the NDC Partnership.

The Specialist will serve as a bridge between Panama and the scientific community, supporting alignment with NDC Partnership goals and facilitating the integration of scientific insights into policy decisions. This role will be instrumental in ensuring that Panama’s climate action is grounded in robust scientific evidence and aligns with international climate goals. By coordinating with the NDC Partnership Support Unit, various local and international partners, and the Government of Panama, the Specialist will contribute to the effective and scientifically informed execution of the Country Engagement Process.

The Specialist will support the Ministry of Environment, and other public and private partners in integrating scientific findings into the implementation of Panama’s NDC 3.0, and Nature Pledge. 

In this capacity, the Scientific Specialist will provide essential scientific support to the focal points of the Partnership, enabling them to effectively implement the NDC, while also ensuring that scientific methodologies and findings are consistently applied to guide national climate initiatives and long-term resilience strategies.

*This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 180 working days, with the 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 Panama or have a valid residence permit in Panama. 

****Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Working in close coordination with government focal points and the NDC Partnership Support Unit, the Specialist will ensure that Panama’s ambitious climate governance translates directly into measurable, localized resilience.

1. Scientific Assessment and Policy Support

1. Conduct in-depth assessments on climate and environmental trends, including data analysis on greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and climate vulnerability. These assessments will inform the development and revision of Panama’s NDC targets and other climate-related policies.

2. Provide technical recommendations and best practices from the latest scientific literature and methodologies, ensuring climate policies align with global standards and UNFCCC guidelines.

3. Prepare detailed reports and policy briefs that translate complex scientific findings into actionable insights for government officials, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders.

2. Human Climate Mobility and Planned Relocation

1. Follow up on the publication, dissemination, and strategic communication process of the First National Report on the Climate Mobility Situation in Panama (First Edition 2026).

2. Support the validation and institutionalization of the National Protocol on Planned Relocations through inter-institutional consultation processes via the National Climate Change Committee (CONACCP), ensuring the effective participation of affected communities and indigenous peoples. 

3. Contribute to the design, implementation, and monitoring of pilot projects for the application of the Protocol in priority communities.

3. Community Resilience and Territorial Planning

1. Support and consolidate adaptive planning processes in communities vulnerable to climate risks, incorporating a strong focus on human rights, gender equality, and intercultural approaches.

2. Facilitate the formalization and effective operation of territorial inter-institutional working groups, engaging actors from civil society and local governments.

3. Contribute to strengthening the capacities of sectoral and local institutions (MEF, MiAMBIENTE municipalities) to integrate climate risk analysis and adaptation measures into local development plans.

4. Mobilizing and Monitoring Climate Finance

1. Ensure technical follow-up of projects initiated during the first period, particularly those focused on the conservation and governance of coastal-marine ecosystems, coastal resilience, and climate mobility.

2. Identify and formulate new project proposals that integrate nature-based solutions, climate mobility, and coastal resilience for submission to international funding mechanisms.

3. Support the development and strengthening of coordination among institutional, scientific, and financial actors involved in climate finance initiatives.

5. Environmental Diplomacy and International Cooperation

1. Maintain and strengthen strategic alliances with bilateral and multilateral cooperation partners, as well as other international stakeholders.

2. Support the participation of MiAMBIENTE in major multilateral negotiation processes, including active preparation for UNFCCC COP31 and CBD COP17, tracking the outcomes of UNCCD COP17, and contributing to the early preparatory cycles for UNEA-8 and ongoing BBNJ mechanisms, by generating technical positions and briefing materials.

3. Facilitate coordination among institutional, scientific, and financial actors in the development of new cooperation proposals.

4. Contribute to the technical monitoring and accountability of projects under implementation, in coordination with donor and executing entities.

5. Promote Panama’s international positioning as a regional leader in integrated environmental governance and climate action.

6. Reporting and Documentation

1. Prepare quarterly and annual reports summarizing progress, challenges, and recommendations based on scientific analyses.

2. Maintain thorough documentation of methodologies, data sources, and key findings to support transparency and knowledge retention within the Ministry.

Required

• Master’s degree (or equivalent, PhD preferred) preferably in climate change, environmental management, international environmental law, sustainable development, international relations or related fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience OR

Required

• Relevant experience is work in international cooperation, including formulation and management of cooperation projects or related areas. 

• Demonstrated experience in climate adaptation, territorial resilience and/or environmental governance.

• Experience as senior policymaker or providing advice to senior policymakers within climate or environmental policy processes inside national governments.

Desired

• Experience in inter-institutional coordination and participatory processes with vulnerable communities, in particular coastal communities and/or indigenous peoples.

• Knowledge of the institutional and regulatory context of Panama in environmental and climate matters

• Experience in coordination and articulation of different actors and project management in climate change, environmental and natural resource management, development cooperation and related fields is an asset.

• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (CoP), NDC and experience on government climate change process. 

• Experience in facilitating the implementation of NDCs is an asset.

• Experience of other national contexts that indirectly contribute to climate change is desirable

• Ability to foster formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders

• Experience working on climate change with a national government technical or policy department is an asset.

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