Climate Finance Specialist

Result of ServiceTechnical expertise and strategic guidance are provided to the Government of Ethiopia on the following: 1. Strengthening Ethiopia’s REDD+ initiatives at national, subnational, and project levels. 2. Developing capacity of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and the GoE ministries/agencies to engage in and leverage climate financing mechanisms, including linking efforts to the NDC process. 3. Establishing strategic partnerships with climate financing stakeholders and support the UNCT in preparing high-impact funding proposals. 4. Supporting the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) Financing Strategy with a focus on integrating climate financing instruments. 5. Providing cross-sectoral technical advice on integrating climate financing into national and sectoral development plans Work LocationADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia. Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Ethiopia faces significant challenges from climate change, threatening its development goals. The Government of Ethiopia (GoE) is committed to addressing these challenges through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). However, accessing climate finance remains a key barrier. The UN Country Team (UNCT) in Ethiopia supports the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) in mobilizing climate finance and integrating it into national development priorities by strengthening internal capacities, building partnerships, and supporting effective resource utilization. UN-REDD is a UN flagship partnership, assisting countries to implement the Paris Agreement, particularly Articles 5 and 6 of the Paris Agreement, but also on Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM). UN-REDD strives to reduce deforestation, promote sustainable land uses, advance international cooperative approaches to climate change mitigation, and mobilize climate finance to reserve the trend on tropical deforestation. The consultant will have a dual reporting line to the Africa Region UN-REDD Programme Coordinator and the Head of the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Ethiopia. In addition, the consultant will work under the guidance of the Head of the UNEP Office in Addis Ababa and the UN-REDD Africa Climate Finance Focal Point. Regular updates and progress reports will be required, and the consultant will engage closely with the UNCT, GoE, and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of his assignment. The position holder will be covering the following workstreams during the assignment: Workstream 1: Strengthen REDD+ Programs and Projects in Ethiopia • Work with and ensure coordination of ministries, civil society, NGOs, and the private sector to create, implement, and scale REDD+ programs successfully. • Ensure access to finance for existing Emission Reductions, ensuring fair and equitable pricing. Working alongside all stakeholders responsible for bringing these to market, including the ministry of finance and Norway. • Engage with the Ministry of Planning and Development and Norway to finalise the carbon framework and climate strategy. • Provide technical knowledge to the Ethiopian Forestry Development (EFD) to assess options for REDD+ finance (e.g. RBPs, Article 6, VCM) finance and enable optimal financing. • Identify innovative financing mechanisms, including but not limited to blended finance, carbon markets, and green bonds, to support Ethiopia's climate goals, with specific emphasis on Nature-based solutions, including forests. Workstream 2: Capacity Building of the Government and UNCT • Assess the capacity needs of relevant government institutions and the UNCT related to climate finance opportunities. • Deliver tailored training sessions, workshops, tools, and templates on climate financing mechanisms (e.g., Carbon Markets, Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund) and to support climate-related funding. • Provide ongoing technical support to UNCT members and key GoE ministries/agencies in developing and submitting funding proposals. • Ensure the UNSDCF Financing Strategy includes a strong focus on climate financing instruments. • Provide cross-sectoral technical advice on integrating climate financing into national and sectoral development plans. • Enhance the capacity of key GoE ministries/agencies to access and utilize climate financing, including linking efforts to the NDC process. Workstream 3: Strategic partnerships and stakeholders’ engagement • Identify and engage key climate finance stakeholders, including multilateral and bilateral donors, private sector actors, and philanthropic organizations. • Facilitate partnerships and coordination between the UNCT, GoE, and financing stakeholders. • Enable access to finance to Ethiopia's current jurisdictional carbon projects that have Emission Reductions to sell. Workstream 4: Monitoring, Reporting, and Knowledge Sharing • Develop a framework to monitor progress on climate finance initiatives, including quality assurance and results tracking. • Document lessons learned and best practices to inform future efforts. • Prepare periodic progress reports and a final consultancy report summarizing achievements and recommendations. • Engage with other countries to learn from best practices and areas to improve through regional exchanges. Qualifications/special skillsEducation: - An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in climate finance, environmental economics, sustainable development, or a related field is required. - A first-level university degree in the above-mentioned fields, combined with two more years of qualifying experience, will be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree. Skills: - Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills. - Excellent communication and partnership-building/convening abilities. - Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment. Languages- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consulting position, fluency in oral and written English is required. - Knowledge of another UN language is highly desirable. Additional Information- At least 5 years of experience in climate finance, public finance management, resource mobilization, or related fields required. - Demonstrated experience in designing and/or implementing successful funding proposals for climate finance mechanisms at national or regional levels required. • Strong knowledge of climate finance instruments and providers, REDD+, and the role of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) desirable. • Experience working with UN agencies, governments, or international organizations desirable. • Familiarity with the climate change and development context in Ethiopia or the Horn of Africa region is an asset would be an asset. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.