Climate Policy and Investment Advisor (Technical Specialist - Environmental) Yemen - Retainer Homebased

Background Information - Job-specific

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 of countries and institutions collaborating to drive transformational climate action through sustainable development. In 2015, the world endorsed the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Nations signal their commitments to the Paris Agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) - each country’s strategy to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience against the negative effects of a changing climate. The Partnership advances the goals of the Paris Agreement by bringing together nearly 200 countries and institutions in new ways to accelerate NDC implementation and enhance ambition over time. The Partnership’s work through 120 partners supporting almost 80 countries produces many examples of impact, lessons learned and ideas for the future. The Partnership is governed by a Steering Committee, co-chaired by two country representatives. The Partnership’s work is facilitated by a Support Unit based at World Resources Institute in Washington DC and the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. UNOPS supports the NDC Partnership and its Support Unit through the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC).

Country Context

Yemen, classified as a Least Developed Country (LDC), is among the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world. The country faces severe and growing impacts from climate change, including rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, water scarcity, sea-level rise, and more frequent extreme weather events. These challenges are putting immense strain on already fragile systems and institutions, while critically affecting key sectors such as agriculture, water, health, and coastal livelihoods. The resulting food insecurity, rising poverty levels, and large-scale displacement are compounded by economic disruption, damaged infrastructure, and overstretched public services. Although Yemen contributes only a tiny fraction to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, it bears a disproportionate burden of climate impacts.

Despite these significant challenges, Yemen has strong potential for a green transition. The country is endowed with substantial renewable energy resources—particularly solar and wind—that can be harnessed to expand energy access and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. In parallel, scaling up climate-resilient agriculture, ecosystem-based adaptation, and nature-based solutions can help strengthen community resilience and support sustainable livelihoods. Investing in these areas not only addresses urgent climate risks but also contributes to long-term economic recovery, inclusive development, and increased stability.

In November 2015, Yemen prepared and submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), which outlined a target to reduce GHG emissions by 1% unconditionally and an additional 14% conditional upon international support, below the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario by 2030. However, due to the ongoing conflict and associated institutional and technical constraints, the INDC has not yet been updated to a formal Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Updating and implementing the NDC is not only a strategic climate priority but also a vital tool to support Yemen’s path toward economic recovery, sustainable growth, and enhanced access to international climate finance and cooperation.

With support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the NDC Partnership, the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) is currently leading efforts to develop and submit Yemen’s first official NDC under the NDC 3.0 framework. The deployment of a Climate Policy and Investment Adviser will play a key role in advancing this process by strengthening cross-sectoral coordination, building institutional capacity, and ensuring inclusive stakeholder engagement—so that the updated NDC reflects Yemen’s national development priorities, climate vulnerabilities, and green transition potential.

Logistics and Reporting

The Advisor will work with the Ministry of Water and Environment - Yemen, collaborating closely with the Director of the Climate Change Unit and will report to the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist. S/he will collaborate closely with the NDC focal points and the NDC Partnership Support Unit.

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

* This is a Home-based position, meaning the incumbent will be expected to work from government offices in Yemen and not work from a UNOPS office or 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 Yemen or have a valid residence permit in the Country.

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

The embedded Climate Policy and Investment Advisor will provide strategic economic and policy advisory support to facilitate the development and operationalization of Yemen’s NDC Implementation Plan and Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS). The Advisor will play a pivotal role in strengthening institutional capacity, supporting policy coherence, and advancing climate-resilient and low-emission development through effective economic planning, investment strategy design, and resource mobilization.

In close collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC), the Advisor will support the strategic alignment of the LT-LEDS with Yemen’s NDC goals by developing an integrated framework that enhances cross-sectoral coordination, improves institutional capacity, and maximizes available resources for long-term climate action. The Advisor will assess the impacts of climate change on Yemen’s economic recovery and development pathways, providing evidence-based insights to inform national planning processes and ensure resilience is embedded in long-term development strategies.

The Advisor will also support the mobilization of financial resources by mapping and leveraging available opportunities from international and domestic climate finance sources, including multilateral and bilateral mechanisms. This includes identifying innovative financing approaches, developing investment pipelines, and ensuring policy and regulatory environments are conducive to sustainable investment. At the same time, the Advisor will lead efforts to engage the private sector by identifying market entry points, evaluating investment barriers, and designing incentives and enabling frameworks to encourage private sector participation in climate solutions.

In addition, the Advisor will conduct macroeconomic and sectoral analyses to understand the implications of NDC and LT-LEDS implementation on national growth, employment, and public finances, contributing to the integration of climate targets into Yemen’s broader economic recovery and development plans. To address institutional gaps, the Advisor will deliver actionable recommendations to MWE and other relevant authorities to enhance implementation capacity and climate resilience.

The Advisor will help with the climate change unit team to strengthen MWE’s technical and institutional capabilities in climate finance, supporting the integration of climate change considerations into national and sectoral policies and planning instruments. Furthermore, the Advisor will lead awareness-raising and knowledge-sharing activities with public and private stakeholders, helping to foster inclusivity, enhance transparency, and strengthen national ownership of Yemen’s climate agenda.

The embedded Adviser will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist, working under the guidance of the NDCP Focal Point and Climate Change Unit and will work in close collaboration with the different ministerial offices as well as representatives from the Private Sectors and Civil Society. This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with the possibility of an extension as agreed with MWE.

The Climate Policy and Investment Advisor will support the Government of Yemen in advancing the implementation of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) by providing high-level technical, economic, and policy advisory services. The Advisor will contribute to strengthening institutional frameworks, facilitating strategic investment planning, enabling private sector participation, and mobilizing climate finance. The Advisor will also conduct in-depth socio-economic and macroeconomic analyses to ensure climate actions are aligned with national development priorities and recovery pathways. The tasks are organized under the following key functional areas:

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Policy Alignment and Planning

Develop an integrated LT-LEDS framework aligned with NDC targets and Yemen’s national development strategies.

Ensure coherence between climate change policies, sectoral strategies, and national planning documents such as economic recovery and development plans, .

Support inter-ministerial coordination and engagement to mainstream climate objectives across relevant sectors.

Review and update national and sectoral policy instruments to reflect NDC and LT-LEDS commitments.

Provide technical advice for incorporating climate goals into socio-economic recovery and long-term sustainable development planning.

2. Climate Finance and Resource Mobilization

Identify, assess, and map climate finance opportunities from multilateral, bilateral, and domestic sources.

Analyze financial gaps in implementing the NDC, NAP and LT-LEDS targets and recommend potential financing mechanisms.

Support the development of bankable project pipelines and NDC-aligned investment portfolios.

Assist in preparing concept notes and proposals for international climate funds (e.g., GCF, GEF, Adaptation Fund).

Explore and advise on innovative financing instruments such as green bonds, blended finance, and PPPs.

3. Private Sector Engagement and Enabling Environment

Assess the landscape, capacities, and investment readiness of Yemen’s private sector in relation to climate action.

Identify entry points and opportunities for private sector participation in mitigation and adaptation projects.

Evaluate existing regulatory, financial, and institutional barriers to private sector investment in climate-related sectors.

Propose incentive mechanisms and enabling policy measures to catalyze private sector engagement.

Organize targeted consultations to foster collaboration between government and private sector stakeholders on climate investment.

Support the formulation of policies to attract and facilitate private and public investment in climate-resilient and low-emission initiatives.

4. Economic and Socio-Economic Impact Analysis

Conduct macroeconomic and sector-specific analysis of NDC and LT-LEDS implementation, including economic modeling to assess their potential impacts on the overall economy

Evaluate the socio-economic implications of climate actions, including effects on livelihoods, employment, public budgets, and GDP

Analyze the distributional impacts of climate policies on the just transitions pathways.

Support the Integration of climate risk assessments into national development and economic planning processes.

Provide policy recommendations based on evidence to ensure climate strategies support inclusive and equitable development.

5. Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building

Assess institutional and technical gaps hindering the implementation of climate strategies and investment plans.

Design and deliver tailored trainings for MWE, MoPIC, and other relevant institutions on climate finance, investment planning, and economic analysis.

Strengthen national systems for coordination, monitoring, and reporting of climate finance and implementation activities

Provide advisory support for integrating climate change into budgeting, public investment planning, and fiscal frameworks.

6. Knowledge Sharing and Stakeholder Engagement

Develop and disseminate policy briefs, technical papers, and investment profiles to inform decision-making.

Conduct awareness-raising and technical workshops with government, private sector, academia, and civil society.

Facilitate inclusive dialogues to promote ownership of climate strategies among all stakeholders.

Master’s degree in a related discipline such as finance, environmental studies, public policy, economics, project management, or other relevant fields to the position.

Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (7 total) may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree.

Experience

Required

A minimum of 5 years of overall professional experience in public sector climate work , including at least 3 years in areas such as climate policy, sustainable finance Policy-to-investment translation, costing NDC’s, project management, stakeholder engagement, or proposal development, or related fields across the public, private, or nonprofit sectors;

Asset

Knowledge of climate governance and NDC processes at various levels (multilateral, national, or local), though related exposure is also welcome.

Familiarity with the climate policy context in Yemen, including national plans and strategies.

Experience in multilateral, national, and grassroots governance and processes related to climate change, policy, and/or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs);

Awareness and knowledge of UNFCCC reporting, such as BTR, NCs, etc.

Familiar with and knowledgeable about the relationship between NDC and key UNFCCC thematic areas, including climate finance, carbon markets, just transition, and related topics

Familiarity with Government Institutional Assessments and Capacity Building activities on the national and local levels
Language

Contract type: Local ICA retainer
Contract level: LICA 10 / ISC 10
Contract duration: 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with the possibility of an extension based on performance and the availability of funds.
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

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.

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.

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.