General Information

Position Title

Technical Advisor(Retainer)

Job Category

Technical

Duty Station(s)

Colombo

Seniority Level

Senior Level

ICS Level

ICS 11

Contract Type

ICA – LICA – Specialist – Retainer

Contract Level

LICA 11

Posting Start Date

15-Dec-2025

Posting End Date

04-Jan-2026

Duration

1 year, extension subject to subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance

Job Highlight

This is an exceptional opportunity to influence environmental sustainability within a leading international organization. The position offers a platform to originate innovative solutions, lead substantive teams, and drive transformative change in environmental practices across diverse projects in the South Asia region.

About the Region

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors – including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management – supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

The South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO) supports UNOPS operations across six countries: Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAMCO delivers a broad range of services and technical expertise in climate change, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), infrastructure, procurement, human resource management, and fund management. Each country office is staffed with local technical experts and maintains strong partnerships with national governments, ensuring context-specific solutions and effective project implementation.

Job Specific Context

The Technical Advisor will provide expert advisory and guidance on a range of environmental topics, including biodiversity conservation, waste management strategies, and the promotion of sustainable energy solutions within the context of UNOPS projects in the South Asia region. This role requires the development and implementation of new policies, techniques, and standards to address complex environmental challenges.

Role Purpose

A retainer role, the Technical Advisor, reporting to the Senior Programme Manager acts as an authoritative specialist, bringing new thinking and originating new policies, approaches, and standards in environmental sustainability. The role involves providing expert advice and driving improvements and transformative change within the concerned field.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Policy Development and Innovation

• In the project context, supporting national authorities developing new policies, techniques, or standards for environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and waste management.
• Innovating and creating novel approaches to solve complex or systemic environmental problems within UNOPS projects.
• Supporting national authorities with policies and standards for climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster-resilient infrastructure, and climate-proofed project design under relevant projects.
• Integrating loss and damage considerations into environmental and climate project frameworks, including vulnerability assessments and resilience metrics.

2. Expert Advisory and Program Implementation

• Providing expert advice on the development and implementation of new programs or initiatives related to environmental sustainability such as renewable energy.
• Planning, integrating, and coordinating the work of multiple substantive experts to ensure cohesive and effective environmental strategies.
• Providing technical guidance on sustainable energy transitions, including energy efficiency, decentralized renewable systems, and low-carbon infrastructure solutions.
• Advising on DRR integration throughout project cycles, including hazard assessments, resilient design criteria, and emergency preparedness measures.

3. Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy

• Advocating for new ideas and persuading diverse stakeholders to adopt new perspectives on environmental issues.
• Driving improvements and transformative change within the environmental field through effective communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Advocating for climate-resilient development, carbon neutrality, and renewable energy adoption with government counterparts and development partners.
• Supporting national and regional dialogues on loss and damage finance, just transitions, and nature-based climate solutions.

4. Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building

• Developing and delivering training programs to enhance the environmental knowledge and skills of UNOPS staff and partners.
• Contributing to knowledge-sharing platforms and communities of practice to disseminate best practices and lessons learned in environmental sustainability.

5. Technical Advisory and Analysis

• Providing high-level technical advisory services to UNOPS project teams and partners on environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and related areas.
• Conducting in-depth analysis of national environmental policies, regulations, and frameworks in the South Asia region, considering regional and global trends and best practices.
• Conducting climate-risk and vulnerability assessments, including modelling of climate hazards, exposure, and adaptive capacity.
• Advising on methodologies to quantify and address loss and damage (non-economic and economic) in project design and implementation.
• Providing analytical support on DRR strategies aligned with the Sendai Framework and national disaster management authorities.

6. Climate Financing and Resource Mobilization

• Analyzing climate financing mechanisms and opportunities, including green bonds, carbon markets, and international climate funds, to support UNOPS projects.
• Supporting SAMCO in positioning itself as the preferred implementation partner for environmental and climate-related projects by developing compelling proposals and showcasing UNOPS”s expertise and track record.
• Identifying financing opportunities related to DRR, climate adaptation, sustainable energy transitions, and loss and damage under international climate funds (GCF, GEF, Adaptation Fund, L&D Fund).
• Advising on the integration of climate-resilience indicators and climate-finance justification requirements in proposal development.
• Supporting the development of sustainable energy projects eligible for carbon markets and green financing mechanisms.

Skills

Communication, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Impact Assessment, Policy Analysis, Project Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning

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

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering or related fields with 9 years of relevant experience OR
• Ph.D./Doctorate/Post Doctorate or Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience is required

Desired

• A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in Sustainable Development or related area is desired.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in environmental management, policy development, and project implementation.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing environmental strategies and policies.

• Proven experience in leading and managing teams of environmental professionals.

Desired

• Experience working in the South Asia region.
• Experience with international environmental standards and regulations.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredSinhaleseFluentDesirableTamilFluentDesirable

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.