Senior Programme Manager (Climate Justice)

  • Senior-level, Full-time staff position
  • Posted on 4 July 2025
  • United States
  • Closing on 18 July 2025
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Job Description

Dutystation: New York, United States of America


Functional responsibilities


Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Climate Action Team Director, the incumbent will provide substantive senior-level support on member state engagement. The responsibilities of the Senior Programme Manager [Climate Justice] include:

Program Development:

  • Financing a just transition in emerging markets and developing countries

    • Liaise and/or support theCOP30 and 31 Presidencieson challenges and opportunities to finance a just and equitable transition (and other climate finance priorities for the Secretary-General), including but not limited to country platforms, just energy transition partnerships, or NDC investment plans.

    • Develop regular policy briefs and technical reports for senior management on financing the transition, including trends, gaps, challenges, and opportunities in emerging markets and developing countries, through a fairness and equity lens.

    • Support strategy for a narrative shift that frames the transition as an enlightened self-interest decision for emerging markets and developing countries, emphasizing its financial and economic rationale.

    • Identify strategic policy entry points to strengthen the investment case for the transition in emerging markets and developing countries ensuring it is fair, equitable, and aligned with national economic and financial realities. Develop strategies for the UN to advocate for in selected countries and propose innovative ways to build momentum for a just, equitable transition. Stakeholders to engage can include, for instance, State Owned Enterprises, regional commissions or alliances, and relevant regional or national organizations.

  • Adaptation and resilience finance

    • Advise on strategic entry points, initiatives or opportunities to scale financing for resilience and adaptation.

  • Act as focal point forfinancial institutions’ groups and alliances such as the Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance, the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), and the International Development Finance Club (IDFC), working across the team to deliver on the finance for an equitable, resilient, and just transition, as well as related commitments.

  • Support the engagement of the team on the work related to financing a just and resilient transition in emerging markets and developing countries throughout the UN system.

Policy research and advisement:

  • On an ongoing basis, conduct research and analysis related to financing a just and resilient transition, identifying and assessing emerging policy and research priorities and gaps and quantifying financial and economic market trends

Impact on results:

The effective and successful achievement of results by the incumbent directly impacts on the development and performance of the Climate Action Team, visibility and image of CAT, ensuring that the project is aligned with the overall priorities of the UN agenda including conflict prevention and conflict resolution.

Education/Experience/Language requirements


*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*

Education
  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree), preferably in International Relations or Public Policy or in a field related to the post description with ten (10) years of relevant experience is required; OR
  • First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) preferably in International Relations or Public Policy or in a field related to the post description with twelve (12) years of relevant experience is required is desirable.

Work Experience

Required Experience:

  • Relevant experience is defined as experience in public policy and/or policy analysis.

  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in advisory roles is required

  • Experience in climate finance, especially within government agencies, international organizations and/or development financial institutions is required.

  • Experience and subject matter expertise across multiple areas related to climate finance, including understanding the role of multilateral financial institutions as well as climate-related governmental and private investment is required.

Desired Experience:

  • Previous advisory roles to senior leadership within the United Nations or its agencies is considered an asset.

  • Knowledge of the energy transition and its associated challenges and opportunities in developing countries is desired.

  • Experience in designing or leading stakeholder initiatives is also considered an asset.

Language requirements:

  • Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.
  • Knowledge of another official UN language (Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin) and Russian) is an advantage.

About the Organization

TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE


UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.


Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.


We are proud of our people and embrace diversity and are committed to equal employment opportunities. Our workforce brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners. Spread across 80 countries from a range of backgrounds, and languages and have different gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.


We encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.


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