Overview
The Chief Climate Officer leads the integration of climate action across UNOPS, driving emissions reduction, sustainable operations, and climate-resilient projects worldwide. The role combines strategic leadership, partnership building, and operational execution to turn ambitious climate commitments into measurable impact across UNOPS global portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive the UNOPS Climate Action Programme (CAP) and Strategy in alignment with the Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and the Results Framework.
- Contribute to the formulation of UNOPS climate strategy and policies.
- Engage the CAP Board on strategy, performance, and risk.
- Anticipate emerging risks and opportunities.
- Build senior leadership ownership and accountability.
- Integrate climate action into corporate planning and performance systems.
- Lead the strategic planning and allocation of resources.
- Drive initiatives under the Climate Action Programme to meet UNOPS climate commitments.
- Reduce internal emissions from UNOPS operations worldwide.
- Expand supply-chain emissions accounting.
- Lower project-related greenhouse gas emissions and promote climate-resilient development.
- Provide strategic guidance to UNOPS HQ units.
- Strengthen UNOPS climate risk screening.
- Embed climate and sustainability criteria into procurement systems and processes.
- Update global standards for resilient, low-carbon infrastructure.
- Ensure UNOPS achieves and maintains organizational climate neutrality.
- Serve as a member of UNOPS global leadership team.
- Build and empower a high-performing, diverse Climate Action Programme team.
- Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability.
- Build engagement and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment.
- Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse.
- Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans.
- Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity.
- Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible and diverse workforce.
- Support partnership development and help position UNOPS as a partner of choice.
- Represent UNOPS in inter-agency and global forums.
- Champion UNOPS capabilities at major global platforms.
- Strengthen UNOPS standing within the UN climate architecture.
- Drive strategic alliances with governments, foundations, climate funds, and development finance institutions.
- Serve as focal point for UN system-wide climate reporting and compliance.
- Bring thought leadership to position UNOPS as an innovative partner on climate action.
- Anticipate shifts in global policy and climate finance.
- Monitor global climate action trends.
- Translate global climate policy developments into actionable institutional guidance.
- Lead sharing of knowledge related to climate action across the organization.
- Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation.
- Support the planning, implementation and organization of capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.
- Serve as focal point for UNOPS cross-cutting climate agenda.
- Serve as Technical Lead for UNOPS Mission Hub on the Triple Planetary Crisis.
Required Experience
- Relevant and demonstrated experience working in climate science, international climate policy, intergovernmental agreements on climate change, and engaging with the scientific and policy communities on climate change.
- Leadership experience in change management, preferably in an international context, is desired.
- Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.
- Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Environmental Science, Climate Change, Economics, International Relations or any related discipline with 12 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related disciplines with 10 years of relevant experience is required.
