UNOPS

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

As part of the Global Portfolios Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.

WEC Background  

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support.  

 WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country-specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.  

The NDC Partnership

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition, bringing together more than 250 members, including more than 130 countries, developed and developing, and more than 110 institutions to deliver on ambitious climate action that helps achieve the Paris Agreement and drive sustainable development. Governments identify their NDC implementation priorities and the type of support that is needed to translate them into actionable policies and programs. Based on these requests, the membership offers a tailored package of expertise, technical assistance and funding. This collaborative response provides developing countries with efficient access to a wide range of resources to adapt to and mitigate climate change and foster more equitable and sustainable development. The NDC Partnership Support Unit is jointly hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC). For this project, the Consultant will be contracted through UNOPS.

Recognizing the importance of having an organization with deep local knowledge to serve as NDC Partnership’s national-level interface and facilitate coordination of the NDC implementation in the country, the Kyrgyz Republic joined the NDC Partnership in February 2017 and received technical support from the Governments of Germany, the EU, Sweden, Spain, and Italy in partnership with the UNDP to update its NDC.  

The Kyrgyz Republic submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2020, followed by an updated version in 2021. Most recently, in October 2025, Kyrgyzstan submitted its NDC 3.0. The most recent NDC sets an unconditional target of net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 18% from the projected baseline level of net emissions in 2030 and by 16% from the projected baseline level of net GHG emissions in 2035. Conditional targets aim for 30% and 39% reductions, respectively, contingent on international support.

The Climate Finance Specialist will be embedded in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision (MNRETS). S/he will report to the NDC Country Engagement Specialist and will work closely with the NDC Partnership Focal Point and the NDC Partnership Support Unit and will regularly report on the progress achieved. S/he will engage with the Cabinet of Ministries of Kyrgyz Republic as well as high-level engagements with donors, climate funds, MDBs, and bilateral donors to identify projects and generate resources for the implementation of the NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS.

The detailed NDC Implementation Plan is expected to be finalized in early 2026. The Plan will incorporate a list of sectoral and overarching projects to be completed in 2025-2030 to ensure reaching the NDC target.  As part of the Kyrgyz Republic’s effort to implement their NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS the government of Kyrgyzstan has requested for a Climate Finance Advisor to support the government of Kyrgyzstan for:

1. Providing advisory support to enable Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision (MNRETS) and Climate Finance Center to move effectively from NDC planning phase to NDC implementation;  

2. Perform targeted sector analysis to scope specific investment needs and opportunities across the NDC priority sectors and develop criteria and a transparent process for prioritising investments to build a pipeline of viable potential investment project ideas for climate funding;

3. Prepare project concept notes targeting specific IFI(s) for priority NDC and climate resilient investment projects;

4. Facilitate the dialogue between the government of Kyrgyzstan, IFIs and International Climate Funds. 

• This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on availability of funds. 

• This is a Home-based position, meaning the incumbent will be expected to work from government offices in Kyrgystan and not work from a UNOPS office or from home. Additionally, the incumbent will need to take their own laptop, equipped with all the relevant software, to government facilities.

• As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of  Kyrgystan or have a valid residence permit in the country.

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Climate Finance Advisor will provide expert advice on the successful implementation of measures identified in the main strategic climate related documents, such as the NDC, NDC Implementation Plan, Carbon Neutrality Concept and National Adaptation Plan through access to international climate finance. This role involves the provision of technical and strategic inputs to support the work of the MNRETS and Climate Finance Centre in accessing international climate funds and funds from the MDBs in order to implement measures identified in the NDC Implementation Plan and in the updated Climate Investments Plan. This position will contribute to the strengthening of the climate project portfolio of the Kyrgyz Republic. 

Required

• An advanced degree (Master's or higher) in business, finance, law, public policy, public finance, sustainable development, environment management, or a similar relevant field.  
• Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (7 total) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Required

• At least 5 years of experience working in international development and development finance with a track of structuring, design and implementation of projects in climate change mitigation and adaptation, particularly in energy, waste, agriculture, forestry and other land use, and industry.  
• Familiarity with access modalities, project management frameworks, and investment criteria of MDBs and prominent global climate funds such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), The International Climate Initiative (IKI), Mitigation Action Facility (MAF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and/or Adaptation Fund (AF).  
• Knowledge about the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, NDCs and SDGs; 
• Understanding of public finance modalities for climate change-related projects  

Desired

• Experience in mobilizing resources for the implementation of NDCs.  
• Experience in structuring, including technical and financial development, of projects that are commercially viable and present replicable and scalable business models in compliance with requirements of various climate finance funds with Kyrgyzstan as the main recipient.  
• Understanding of and experience with banking products relevant to low-carbon and resilient development projects. 
• Ability to network and develop partnerships across a range of stakeholders and record of accomplishment in managing complex multi-stakeholder strategies and plans.  

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• 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. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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.