Adaptation Project Specialist

The Adaptation Project Specialist will manage UNEP's portfolio of GEF, AF, and GCF climate change adaptation projects in Asia, ensuring successful internalization, management, implementation, and monitoring. The role involves supporting subnational climate-nature initiatives, project financial and administrative management, and contributing to planning, implementation, and monitoring of climate and nature action programmes.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of a portfolio of projects and initiatives advancing integrated climate and nature action at the subnational and city level, focusing on nature-based solutions and climate adaptation.
• Support implementation and oversight of project activities under climate–nature action initiatives at the subnational level.
• Contribute to development of partnerships with international organizations, governments, research institutions, and stakeholders.
• Support coordination of project activities, events, stakeholder engagement, and development of knowledge products related to climate and biodiversity action.
• Assist in project financial and administrative management, including human resources management in the subnational climate action unit.
• Assist in project monitoring and reporting, including drafting and submitting narrative and financial reports, and internal monitoring processes.
• Contribute to preparation of written outputs such as background papers, case studies, briefs, analytical notes, and inputs to publications.
• Provide administrative and substantive support for consultative meetings and events.
• Manage part of UNEP's portfolio of GEF, AF, and GCF climate change adaptation projects in Asia, including guiding Programme Management Assistants in legal agreements and project internalization.
• Maintain communication with Project Management Units to oversee project implementation, provide guidance, and initiate corrective actions.
• Review and clear key technical deliverables and consultancy payments.
• Participate in Project Steering Committee meetings.
• Prepare project supervision plans and risk logs, and update procurement and work plans.
• Review and clear expenditure reports, prepare budget revisions and cash advances.
• Provide inputs for technical and financial closure of projects.
• Travel for project monitoring and planning missions as required.
• Prepare and send progress report templates to Executing Agencies and review reports for timely completion.
• Prepare GEF, AF, and GCF project progress reports and facilitate implementation of Mid-Term Review recommendations.
• Respond to GEF review comments and revise project documents with consultant support.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in sustainable development, international development, environmental sciences, urban or environmental planning, development studies, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Completion of degree or non-degree programmes in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is desirable.
• A minimum of five years of experience in managing projects related to climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions, livelihoods, environment, or development is required.
• Experience working with national governments in Asia is required.
• Knowledge of UN processes and operations and experience working with government institutions or intergovernmental organisations is required.
• Experience working with GEF, GCF, Adaptation Fund, or UNEP projects is an asset.
• Experience in managing multi-stakeholder partnerships is desirable.
• Fluency in English is required.

Skills

• Climate Change Adaptation
• Nature-Based Solutions
• Project Management
• Livelihood Development
• Environmental Sciences
• Sustainable Development
• International Development
• Urban Planning
• Environmental Planning
• Data Analytics
• Business Analytics
• Data Science
• Government Relations
• UN Processes
• Inter-Governmental Organizations
• GEF Project Development
• GCF Project Management
• Adaptation Fund
• Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships
• Finance Management
• Project Monitoring

Languages

English