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General Information

Publication for
Hosted Entity
Entity Name
UN Water Inter-Agency Trust Fund (UNW)
Position Title
Water Policy Advisor - Climate Change and Adaptation
Job Category
Programme
Duty Station(s)
Home based
Seniority Level
Senior Level
ICS Level
ICS 11
Contract Type
ICA - IICA - Retainer
Contract Level
IICA 3
Posting Start Date
03-Feb-2026
Posting End Date
17-Feb-2026
Duration
One Year

Job Highlight

The consultant is expected to work in close coordination with the co-coordinators of the UN-Water Expert Group (EG) on Water and Climate Change namely UNECE, UNESCO and WMO.

The consultant will support the activities within the UN-Water Expert Group (EG) on Water and Climate Change, with a focus on adaptation.

Frequent official travel is required to attend international conferences and forums, facilitating essential coordination and high-level liaison with government authorities, Parties of the Rio Conventions, and UN-Water Expert Group experts.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS' strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

From Geneva, UNOPS strives to facilitate the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment,  energy, climate and trade.


UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.


UNOPS provides quality services, integrated solutions and management support to UN agencies, initiatives and partners in a strategic, cohesive, cost-effective and results-oriented manner. Geneva is also home to UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Regional Office


About the Project Office

UN-Water is the United Nations (UN) inter-agency coordination mechanism for all freshwater related issues, including sanitation. The High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP) established UN-Water in 2003 in response to the need for strengthened coordination of United Nations’ work on water and sanitation related issues. UN-Water currently includes more than 30 Members (UN entities) and more than 40 Partners (non-UN system actors).


UN-Water promotes coherence in, and coordination of, water-related UN system actions aimed at the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other relevant policy frameworks, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on financing for development and the New Urban Agenda. In so doing, UN-Water complements and adds value to existing UN initiatives by facilitating synergies and joint efforts among the implementing agencies and by fostering greater co-operation and information-sharing within its constituency. UN-Water supports Member States through its three main lines of work: 1. Informing policy processes and addressing emerging issues; 2. Supporting monitoring and reporting on water and sanitation; and 3. Building knowledge and inspiring people to take action.

About the Group

As part of the Global Portfolio 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.

Job Specific Context

UN-Water is the United Nations (UN) inter-agency coordination mechanism for all freshwater related issues, including sanitation. The High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP) established UN-Water in 2003 in response to the need for strengthened coordination of United Nations’ work on water and sanitation related issues. UN-Water currently includes more than 30 Members (UN entities) and more than 40 Partners (non-UN system actors).


UN-Water promotes coherence in, and coordination of, water-related UN system actions aimed at the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other relevant policy frameworks, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on financing for development and the New Urban Agenda. In so doing, UN-Water

complements and adds value to existing UN initiatives by facilitating synergies and joint efforts among the implementing agencies and by fostering greater co-operation and information-sharing within its constituency. UN-Water supports Member States through its three main lines of work: 1. Informing policy processes and addressing emerging issues; 2. Supporting monitoring and reporting on water and sanitation; and 3. Building knowledge and inspiring people to take action.

Role Purpose

The objective of this assignment is to support the implementation of the PCA-3 Work Programme coordinated by the Expert Group (EG) on Water and Climate Change, with a focus on advancing the adaptation-water agenda, including the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), contributing to the Baku Adaptation Roadmap (BAR), and supporting related Rio Convention outputs. The work may also include PCA-4 activities.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the overall supervision of the UN-Water Chief Technical Adviser, the consultant will work to support and achieve the following:

Outputs and Activities

Output 1 – Support Existing Mandates of the Rio Conventions

Activity 1 – Support implementation of existing mandates

  • Support the expert group on climate change and water if and when needed, including attending of events, preparing of speaking points, liaising with UNFCCC and Parties where needed etc. 

  • Support organization of events of the expert group 

  • Nairobi Work Programme (NWP) coordination

  • Prepare Concept Note for potential UN-Water coordination of the NWP.

  • Convene an internal coordination call with UN-Water focal points

  • Support any needed follow up steps incl. communication with UNFCCC, attending relevant events such as NWP meeting etc.

  • Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA)

  • Support PCA 3, PCA-4 in further work on the GGA, indicators and in relations with UNFCCC and Parties on this, if and when needed, 

  • Engage in high-level Baku Adaptation Roadmap (BAR) discussions and evaluate overlap with NWP.

  • Represent PCA 3 and PCA 4 and the expert group on climate change and water at Water Pavilion and at other relevant UNFCCC meetings such as Adaptation committee, SBs etc.

  • Prepare submissions on behalf of the expert group, as needed

Deliverables:

  • NWP Concept Note

  • Contributions to GGA indicators, BAR, and adaptation roadmap discussions

Output 2 – Support the inclusion of water and sanitation considerations in the Rio Convention work programmes and negotiated documents

Activity 1 – Propose common messaging by UN-Water Members and Partners at Rio Convention COPs

  • Prepare joint UN-Water messaging on Adaptation.

  • Support interactions with Parties and other secretariat, upon request

Deliverables:

  • Agreed common messaging note

Output 3 – Provision of coordinated UN system support to Rio Convention Parties with technical, scientific and policy expertise

Activity 1 – Prepare an analysis on how countries have included water into their NDCs and NAPs

  • Identify best-practice country cases for inclusion in the analysis.

  • Provide contribution to Draft UN-Water NDC 3.0 Report 

  • Prepare a summary slide decks for outreach purposes.

  • Support provision of actual support to countries, with focus on NAPS and NDCs, when needed/ requested

  • Support interrelation with NDC Partnership and climate promise

Deliverables:

  • NAP water integration analysis

  • Contribution to Draft NDC 3.0 Report

  • Draft Slide Decks

Output 4 – Enable and support Member States to make best use of the United Nations 2026 Water Conference, Rio Convention COPs, HLPF, 2030 Agenda and other major events

Activity 1 – Briefings to Rio Conventions working group chairs

  • Prepare and deliver targeted briefings for working group chairs and other actors of the Rio conventions, if and where needed

Deliverables:

  • Briefing materials 

Skills

Climate Change, Policy Analysis, Sanitation, Water Resource Management, Oral Communication, Written communication
Strategic Perspective
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.
Respect
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.
Collaboration
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.
Partnerships
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).
Excellence
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.
Adaptability
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.
Decision-making
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.
Communication
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

  • Required: Advanced university degree in water management/climate change or related field. 

  • A Bachelor’s degree with 9 years of experience may be considered in lieu.


Experience Requirements

Required

  • A minimum of 7 years of experience in water management, WASH and/or climate change is required. 

  • Proven technical experience in water and sanitation sectors, including the design and implementation of sustainable, climate-smart water solutions.


 

Desired

  • Experience advising governments on the nexus of water management, WASH, and climate change, with a focus on strengthening water governance and climate resilience.

  • Strong skills in technical research and drafting, with a track record of producing high-level reports and policy documents for diverse stakeholders

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired
FrenchIntermediateDesirable
SpanishIntermediateDesirable

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.