General Information

Publication for

Hosted Entity

Entity Name

Forest and Climate Leaders” Partnerships (FCLP)

Position Title

Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities Lead

Job Category

Technical

Duty Station(s)

Home based

Seniority Level

Mid Level

ICS Level

ICS 10

Contract Type

ICA – IICA – Regular

Contract Level

IICA 2

Posting Start Date

12-Dec-2025

Posting End Date

26-Dec-2025

Duration

Open-ended (subject to good performance, availability of funds, organizational requirements and project duration)*

Job Highlight

The IPLC Lead will coordinate and strengthen FCLP’s collective action on Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities (IPs + LCs) under the supervision and leadership of the Deputy Director – Policy.

This work is led by Brazil, Norway and Peru within the Partnership, with an active working group of 15 member countries regularly convening and taking forward collective actions.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS” strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

UNOPS Development and Special Initiatives team works with UN partners and Member States. This portfolio offers support for various initiatives and priorities of the UN Secretary-General in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, it helps the UN Secretariat in implementing global programs in areas such as political affairs, climate, counterterrorism and peacebuilding, among others.

About the Project Office

UNOPS DSIP has been requested to support The Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP). This is a hosted entity.

The Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) was launched by world leaders at COP27 and aims to accelerate global progress to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation, through a voluntary and focused partnership of countries that are making a strong contribution to this agenda through national action and international collaboration. The importance of the target in the Glasgow Leaders Declaration on Forests and Land Use of halting and reversing forest loss by 2030 has now been emphasized by the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement in the outcome of the first global stocktake under the Paris Agreement.

To achieve its mission the FCLP members intend to:

1. Maintain high-level political attention on forests and climate;
2. Provide their combined political support to accelerate and scale implementation of a prioritized number of Policy Action Areas;
3. Support implementation of the participating countries” self-determined national goals and encourage all countries to be even more ambitious over time; and
4. Demonstrate impact and be answerable for commitments made.

About the Group

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP). It provides Services to partners” programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

Job Specific Context

The FCLP’s strategic direction is determined by the Steering Committee, comprising ministers from FCLP member countries, on behalf of their leaders. The Steering Committee comprises Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, DRC, France, Germany, Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, Norway, Peru and the UK, and is Chaired by the United Kingdom and Guyana. 36 countries are now members of the FCLP, which together make up 35% of the world’s forests and over 60% of global GDP.

The FCLP is supported by the Secretariat, which is managed and operates under the oversight of the Secretariat Board. Staff work remotely.

Even though the level of the position is indicated as IICA 2, depending on the incumbent”s personal situation (candidate with national ID or resident permit), a local fee scale (LICA 10) might be applied in determining the contractor”s fee.

As home-based position, it may be the responsibility of the selected candidate to make arrangements, to a standard deemed acceptable by UNOPS, for a secure internet connection, laptop and/or equipment necessary for work (as defined by UNOPS).

Role Purpose

Under the Deputy Director – Policy’s oversight, the role will support members in developing and delivering shared commitments, notably the Intergovernmental Land Tenure Commitment (ILTC), and facilitate alignment across policy, partnerships, and events. The IPLC Lead will also serve as Secretariat to the IPLC Platform, enabling inclusive collaboration between governments, IPLC organizations, and philanthropic and civil society partners.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Strategic and Policy Leadership

• Provide policy guidance to support FCLP members’ ambitions and commitments related to IPLCs.

• Provide technical input based on understanding of national and international policies to inform members’ decisions and prioritisation.

• Develop high-quality technical documents, briefings, and analysis to be reviewed by the Deputy director – Policy, following specific requests from members to support informed action and policy coherence.

• Support coordination and liaison effort for the development, review, and delivery of annual workplans, ensuring alignment with FCLP priorities and governance principles.

2. Coordination and Delivery

• Coordinate member engagement and collaboration across the FCLP membership at the workstream level, ensuring clarity of roles and effective delivery of collective priorities, by ensuring regular meetings are taking place as planned, members are participating and engaging, and by keeping records of actions implemented by members

• Facilitate and enable delivery of workplan activities in line with FCLP governance principles.

• Ensure alignment between IPLC work and other FCLP functions, including Communications, Engagement, and Governance, by proactively sharing information within the FCLP Secretariat and supporting implementation of the Secretariat’s strategy

3. Partnerships and Inclusive Engagement

• Act as Secretariat to the IPLC Platform, coordinating collaboration among members, IPLC organizations, and partners to drive collective action.

• Foster and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders – including IPLC organisations, philanthropies and civil society – to advance shared objectives.

• Ensure equitable participation and engagement across the FCLP membership.

4. Events and Representation

• Coordinate FCLP participation in major events and global convenings, ensuring meaningful representation of IPLC priorities and contributions (e.g. UNFCCC COPs, UNGA, and regional platforms).

• Support FCLP members and partners in developing joint messaging, materials, and communication opportunities related to IPLC-led initiatives.

Skills

Analytical Skills, Environmental Policy, Forestry, Strategic Partnerships

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Education

• Advanced degree in environment, policy, law, international relations, economics or related field OR first degree with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience.

Experience Requirements

Work Experience and skills

• A minimum of five, (5) years of relevant professional experience, including experience working on forests and land-use, climate change, Indigenous Peoples, and Local Communities rights, with advanced degree.

• The following skills are required:

  • Demonstrated policy expertise on IPLCs, forest and climate issues at international level

  • Excellent written communication skills and experience drafting high-level documents such as declarations, commitments and negotiated outcomes.

  • Experience working with a range of government systems across developed and developing countries.

  • Experience of managing complex projects/processes, demonstrating an ability to be agile and work with a number of different stakeholders.

  • Experience engaging with high-level actors, including Ministers and preferably Heads of Government, is required.

  • Past experience working for COP Presidency teams on IPLCs or forest issues is required.

  • Experience and understanding of all aspects of UNFCCC climate COPs is required.

Desirable experience

• Participating in formal negotiations of IPLC-related decisions is considered a strong asset.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that 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.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• 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.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.