ABOUT THE COMPANY:

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

JOB SUMMARY

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions.

Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Office/Unit/Project Description: 

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life.

We are on the ground in some 170 countries and territories, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

As they develop capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

UNDP has been supporting the Government and people of Nigeria in addressing development challenges, through strengthening and building institutions that promote inclusive sustainable development and democratic governance. We work with an array of partners as we work together to support Nigeria to meet her Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promise.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria is seeking a highly qualified and experienced individual to fill the role of Climate, Energy, and Finance Specialist, Environment, Energy and Climate Change Portfolio.

The incumbent will provide strategic policy and implementation guidance and technical expertise to support Nigeria’s efforts in achieving its climate commitments and advancing sustainable development in alignment with the Paris Agreement and the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The position will be based in Abuja, Nigeria, and will require extensive knowledge and experience in energy, climate finance, decarbonization, resource mobilization, and the Nigerian environmental and climate landscape. 

The primary objective of this post is to provide technical expertise and lead in mobilizing, accessing, and effectively utilizing climate finance for climate change adaptation, disaster & climate risk reduction and financing, access to clean energy, nature-based solutions, and climate security initiatives in Nigeria.

The Post-Holder will work closely with relevant government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen the country’s capacity in climate finance management. 

Scope of Work

Summary of Key Functions:

Under the direct supervision of the Resident Representative, the Climate, Energy and Finance Specialist will be responsible for the following duties:

1.Provide policy direction, strategic advisory and advocacy.

• Provide policy and strategic advisory support to relevant Government institutions and UNDP on climate change, access to energy, finance, climate security, and other environmental themes;
• Develop and advocate for innovative policy and financial mechanisms for climate change, renewable energy, climate security etc;
• Guide the development and implementation of policies, strategies, and initiatives aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, access to clean energy, climate resilience, and low-carbon development in Nigeria;
• Provide strategic guidance and technical expertise to support Nigeria in achieving its climate goals, including implementing the Paris Agreement and fulfilling its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs);
• Contribute to global and country-level debates on environment, climate change, energy, and climate security. 

2.

Lead Programme Development and Resource Mobilization.

• Lead and direct the development of programmes, projects, and other initiatives in consultation with government counterparts and the Energy and Climate Change Team;
• Identify potential funding from vertical funds, multilateral and bilateral donors;
• Negotiate funding and partnerships, including with the private sector, development banks, and other development finance institutions;
• Identify, develop and roll-out new business opportunities, and self-funding environment, energy and climate change interventions and initiatives;
• Facilitate partnerships and resource mobilization efforts to support climate action initiatives in Nigeria, including engaging with government agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, and the private sector.

3.

Facilitate effective learning and development, and sharing knowledge, advocacy, and communication.

• Ensure development interventions are geared towards achieving results frameworks;
• Create platforms that promote learning and development of knowledge products;
• Analyze and synthesize data, information, and prepare lessons learned reports.

  Develop programming kits, methodologies, training manuals, and codified knowledge products;

• Guide the UNDP Nigeria Country Office on integrating climate change and environmental considerations, and climate security into its programming, with a focus on promoting green economy and durable peace.

4.

Lead develop and operationalize climate finance and investment strategy.

• Lead and direct the development of financing options for programmes, projects, and other initiatives in consultation with government counterparts and identify potential funding from vertical funds and bilateral donors;
• Provide advisory support to the UNDP Nigeria Country Office and government counterparts on emerging issues related to innovative climate finance;
• Guide the development of a climate finance and investment strategy to guide resource mobilization and investments;
• Support the mainstreaming of climate finance, disaster risk reduction, climate risk financing, nature-based solutions, and climate security considerations into national development plans, policies, and strategies;
• Mobilize climate finance for the NDC Implementation Framework, Adaptation Compact, and Net-Zero Investment Plan;
• Strengthen coordination and collaboration to enable effective mobilization of climate finance in Nigeria.

5.

Facilitate effective partnerships with Government, Donors, Bilateral and Private Sector.

• Advise and support the national framework/policy for Article 6 and related financing instruments, and the deployment of carbon market mechanism;
• Strengthen partnerships with international climate finance institutions, bilateral donors, private sector entities, and other stakeholders to leverage additional resources for climate action in Nigeria;
• Provide technical assistance to government agencies and other stakeholders in developing bankable project proposals;
• Lead the mainstreaming of NDC into national development plans, budgets, and other strategies.
• Align ETP/NDC/Net-Zero-decarbonization/Long Term Strategy and related opportunities.

6.

Develop, implement, and track mitigation, adaptation, and energy projects.

• Develop at least four project ideas, concept notes, and proposals per year, and present them to investors, identified from priority projects in the Climate Investment Plan and other national climate investment plans or programmes;
• Map, identify, and prepare an inventory of high-profile, low-emission, and climate-resilient projects developed by MDAs, state governments, and the private sector to a bankable stage;
• Advise and support the operationalization of the Climate Change Fund established under the Climate Change Act;
• Support Donor/Investors Round Tables aimed at mobilizing resources for NDC Implementation.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Reporting:

The Principal Climate, Energy and Finance Specialist would be reporting to the Resident Representative Deputy Resident Representative – Programme (UNDP Nigeria) with direct reports from the Team Lead, Environment and Energy.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results:  LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 

Think Innovatively:  LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 

Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands  

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:  LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion  LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity 

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ situations

Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

Nature, Climate and Energy: Energy efficiency concepts, renewable energy, access to energy technologies and practical application. 

Nature, Climate and Energy: Energy: Energy access

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Economics, Climate Change Environmental Management, or other closely related field is required.

  Or

•  A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree 

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in climate change, natural resource management, environmental assessments, political affairs, diplomacy, international relations, law, disarmament, peace and security, development management, conflict resolution or related areas is required;
• Experience in climate/environment-security issues and/or environmental governance, climate finance, decarbonization, and resource mobilization, preferably in least developed countries (LDCs) both at field level as well at senior management positions and in Africa is desirable;
• Experience working in an international organization or non-governmental organization – in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable; 
• Extensive demonstrable experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice, and reporting is required; 
• Demonstrable experience in drafting and editing high quality analytical reports is required.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section

• Experience in climate/environment-security issues and/or environmental governance, climate finance, decarbonization, and resource mobilization, preferably in least developed countries (LDCs) both at field level as well at senior management positions and in Africa is desirable;
• Experience working in an international organization or non-governmental organization in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable;
• Experience in aid coordination, aid management, resource mobilization and work with UN Country Teams is desirable

Languages

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Disclaimer
 

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority.

All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  
 

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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