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.

Namibia submitted its updated NDC 2.0 in January 2024, committing to a total mitigation potential of 11.902 Mt CO₂e by 2030, 7.669 Mt CO₂e in emission reductions and 4.213 Mt CO₂e in enhanced removals, requiring an estimated USD 9.05 billion in investment. The AFOLU sector represents the largest share of mitigation potential (7.986 Mt CO₂e; 67%), followed by the energy sector (3.613 Mt CO₂e; 30%), where renewable-energy investments of USD 7.68 billion are anticipated.

Namibia is currently developing its NDC 3.0, with submission planned for July 2026, alongside an Implementation Plan and Investment Plan outlining priority actions and financing needs. The country has also drafted a Long-Term Vision for net-zero development, which will inform a full LT-LEDS development process, currently underway, to guide low-carbon transformation beyond 2030.On adaptation, the formulation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) is underway with GCF Readiness support.

MEFT is leading a whole-of-government approach by integrating NDC targets into Vision 2030 and the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), while updating the NBSAP II and LDN targets to align with national climate priorities. Mitigation actions span energy, transport, industry, forestry, and land use, while adaptation focuses on agriculture, water, infrastructure, ecosystems, and livelihoods.

To strengthen implementation, particularly in the AFOLU sector, MEFT seeks an Economic Advisor with a dedicated focus on AFOLU. The Advisor will support NDC 3.0 development, lead AFOLU-sector economic and investment analyses, and assist prepare financing strategies and investment-ready proposals aligned with national priorities.

The incumbent will work closely with MEFT, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, and other key line ministries.

The Economic Advisor will support the Focal Point of the Partnership in their day-to-day responsibilities related to implementing the NDC and coordinating AFOLU-related NDC implementation support.

The Economic Advisor will report to the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and work in close collaboration with the  Government Focal Point in MEFT and the In-Country Facilitator. 

*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 Homebased position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from the government facilities. Therefore, the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software. 

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

****Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The role provides targeted economic expertise to support climate policy and planning, with a particular focus on developing investment-ready AFOLU projects. While the In-Country Facilitator leads overall coordination, the Economic Advisor serves as the technical lead for economic analysis and pre-feasibility assessments to support climate-finance mobilization and the integration of climate priorities into national development planning. In this capacity, the Advisor contributes to smooth coordination with the NDC Partnership Support Unit, development partners, and line ministries engaged in NDC implementation.

Required

• Master's degree or equivalent in public policy, development, climate change, natural resource management, environmental management, or any other relevant field of study with 5 years of relevant experience .
• Bachelor’s degree with additional 2 years in (total 7 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of a university degree.

Required

• At least 5 years’ of progressive experience in climate policy, climate programmes,  or sustainable development including substantial experience within the AFOLU sector in Namibia.
• Experience in multilateral, national and grassroot governance and processes related to climate change, policy and/or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• Strong knowledge of Namibia’s policy frameworks, national development plans, and strategies related to climate change and sustainable development.
• Proven experience working with government, public institutions, or development partners on climate policy analysis, project management, stakeholder coordination, and donor engagement.

Desired

• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (CoP), NDC and past experience on government climate change process.
• Experience of other national contexts that indirectly contribute to climate change.
• Ability to foster formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders.

• 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. 
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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.

• 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.