Programme Specialist, Climate Change, Population and Development Branch, Programme Division (PD), Nairobi, Kenya, P-4
Overview
The Programme Specialist leads UNFPA’s engagement on climate change, providing strategic guidance on adaptation, linkages between climate action, demographic resilience, SRHR, gender equality, and youth leadership. The role coordinates UNFPA's work on climate action and gender-responsive adaptation, supporting policy advocacy and leading technical working groups.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead policy analysis on climate change adaptation, demographic resilience, SRHR and gender equality.
- Commission and oversee global and regional assessments on climate change impacts.
- Design, test and promote innovative solutions for climate change adaptation.
- Lead the development, documentation and dissemination of global guidelines, case studies, and best practices.
- Provide expert technical and policy advice to government partners on integrating SRHR and gender-responsive services into NDCs and national adaptation plans.
- Support the roll-out of geospatial vulnerability mapping and demographic intelligence tools.
- Support strategic foresight initiatives and multi-sectoral risk modeling.
- Drive the implementation of UNFPA Strategic Plan climate commitments.
- Provide strategic oversight and technical direction for climate adaptation initiatives.
- Design and lead capacity building initiatives.
- Lead youth empowerment and engagement strategies within climate adaptation.
- Ensure the strategic integration of climate adaptation and resilience considerations across humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) continuum.
- Support UNFPA’s engagement with disaster management platforms.
- Convene and lead high-level policy dialogues and technical assistance.
- Establish robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
- Lead policy advocacy strategies for UNFPA’s climate action vision.
- Engage strategically with key ministries to align climate adaptation with national budget allocations.
- Drive resource mobilization for climate action.
- Cultivate strategic partnerships with IFIs, development banks, private sector, and philanthropic actors.
- Represent UNFPA in inter-agency coordination mechanisms and forums on climate change.
- Provide policy advice to senior management and national counterparts on emerging climate trends.
- Serve as UNFPA’s institutional focal point on climate change adaptation within the UN system.
- Lead and contribute to global and regional technical networks.
Required Experience
Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme management and coordination, especially in areas of climate change, SRHR and policy advocacy; At least three years at the international level is required; Proven expertise in designing and delivering training on climate change and SRHR, involving youth in climate advocacy; Experience in policy dialogue, research and partnership building with government stakeholders, development partners, the private sector, youth- and women-led organisations; Experience in leading strategic engagements in key climate platforms and fora; Demonstrated ability to evaluate the intersections of climate change with other global population megatrends and translate their implications into climate adaptation strategies; Prior UN or international development experience is required.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree (Master’s level) in social science, health, international development, environmental/climate studies, public policy, or related social sciences.