Organisation: United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Duty Station: Home-based, Mbabane, Eswatini
Contract Type: LICA 10 Specialist Retainer
Duration: 12 months, maximum 220 working days, with possible extension subject to performance and funding
Closing Date: 1 November 2026
Role Purpose
UNOPS is seeking a Climate Finance Specialist to provide technical advisory support to the Kingdom of Eswatini. The Specialist will help mobilise climate finance, strengthen national capacity and the enabling environment, and translate NDC 3.0 priorities into coordinated, bankable and implementable programmes that support climate-resilient and low-carbon development.
The successful candidate will be embedded within the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs, working under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and in coordination with the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Ministry of Finance, the NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator, GCF Liaison Officer and other stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Climate Finance Mobilisation and Investment Pipeline Development
- Lead the screening, appraisal and prioritisation of climate-resilient proposals using multilateral fund criteria, including GCF, GEF and Adaptation Fund requirements.
- Prepare and refine concept notes, project proposals, investment cases and financing packages.
- Develop bankable climate-finance projects that integrate gender, youth and health considerations.
- Coordinate project documentation, including theories of change, budgets, financing plans, safeguards, risk-management plans and monitoring frameworks.
- Develop and regularly update a roster of potential funding sources, donor and investor engagement plans, and a resource-mobilisation pipeline.
Climate Policies, Plans and Strategies
- Support the integration of climate change into national planning and budgeting processes.
- Provide technical support for the development of Eswatini’s NDC 3.0 Investment Plan, Climate Finance Strategy and Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy.
- Support the operationalisation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in Eswatini.
- Coordinate the integration of the climate-finance landscape assessment into the Biennial Transparency Report.
- Provide technical input into climate-related policies, frameworks and strategies as required.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer
- Assess institutional capacity gaps in climate finance, investment planning, gender mainstreaming, project preparation and donor engagement.
- Coordinate climate-finance capacity-building programmes for government institutions, sectors and implementing partners.
- Deliver practical training, mentoring and coaching to relevant stakeholders.
- Develop project-development templates, investment-planning tools, guidance notes, standard operating procedures and knowledge products.
- Support knowledge sharing among government, civil society, the private sector and development partners.
Coordination, Partnerships and Reporting
- Facilitate collaboration among ministries, government agencies, research institutions, donors, banks, civil society and private-sector stakeholders.
- Facilitate technical working groups, investment consultations, project-design workshops and partner dialogues.
- Work closely with the NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator and GCF Liaison Officer.
- Support Eswatini’s role in hosting the SADC Regional Transparency Hub.
- Prepare monthly and quarterly work plans and progress reports.
- Contribute to presentations, briefing notes, advisory notes and position papers for UNFCCC Conference of Parties processes.
Minimum Requirements
Education
- An advanced university degree in Climate Change, Environmental Studies, Economics, Natural Resources Management, Energy, Project Management, Business Studies or a related field; or
- A first-level university degree in a relevant field with an additional two years of qualifying experience, for a total of at least seven years’ experience.
A doctoral degree or specialised postgraduate training in climate finance is an advantage.
Experience
- At least five years’ professional experience in climate-policy development and programme management in climate change, energy, forestry, biodiversity, agriculture or technical-assistance initiatives.
- Demonstrated experience in climate finance, including readiness programmes, grant-proposal writing, capacity building or technology transfer.
- Experience in resource mobilisation and building relationships with government, donors, international development partners and NGOs.
- Proven experience producing analytical reports, papers and other knowledge products.
Added Advantages
- Experience in blended finance, public-private partnerships, results-based finance, technology transfer or private-sector engagement.
- Previous professional experience in Eswatini and knowledge of Eswatini’s NDC and climate-development architecture.
Skills
- Climate finance and fundraising
- Donor engagement
- Project management
- Stakeholder engagement and partnerships
- Capacity building
- Natural-resource management
- Analytical and communication skills
Eligibility
Applicants must be Eswatini nationals or hold a valid residence or work permit in Eswatini. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
This is a home-based position; the successful candidate must provide their own laptop and software.
How to Apply
Apply online via the official UNOPS careers portal before the closing date:
Apply for the Climate Finance Specialist position
Closing date: 1 November 2026.
