Climate Finance Advisor (Home based Retainer) - Mogadishu, Somalia

Organizational Context

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) supports sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding globally. Within this, the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio manages significant funds for climate and environmental initiatives. The NDC Partnership, jointly hosted by WRI, UNOPS, and UNFCCC, connects countries with resources to achieve climate goals. This role operates within the NDC Partnership Support Unit, with the consultant contracted through UNOPS.

Job Purpose

This role provides crucial strategic and technical advisory support to Somalia's Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and other relevant ministries. The primary objective is to mobilize climate finance from diverse sources, including public, multilateral, bilateral, and private sectors. The advisor will focus on strengthening the enabling environment and institutional capacities for climate finance, and integrating climate finance considerations into national planning and budgeting processes. A key responsibility includes coordinating the development of a robust pipeline of bankable projects aligned with national climate priorities (NDC 3.0, LT-LEDS) and facilitating engagement with partners to increase climate finance flows into Somalia.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include conducting climate finance needs assessments, identifying funding gaps, and recommending innovative financing instruments to accelerate NDC implementation. The role involves working across ministries to mobilize development partners and donors for climate financing initiatives and bankable projects. This includes developing a green project pipeline, assessing project bankability, preparing Project Idea Notes, identifying finance sources, and supporting funding proposals. The advisor will also contribute to creating an enabling investment environment in key sectors, revising the NDC resource mobilization strategy, and supporting the mainstreaming of climate change into national and subnational planning and budgeting. Furthermore, the role entails co-leading the establishment of a Climate Finance Unit, coordinating costing of climate plans, building strategic relationships with stakeholders, leading private sector engagement strategies, and convening donor roundtables. Capacity building for national experts on climate finance and mainstreaming climate change into planning and budgeting processes are also critical functions. The advisor will manage knowledge management activities, including reporting and contributing to publications, and coordinate closely with the NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of professional experience in public and/or private sectors, ideally related to investments in development, climate, or environmental sectors, including project or blended finance experience. Three years of substantial experience in business development, capital raising, or developing public-private partnerships with a proven track record in climate finance and resource mobilization is required. Experience in developing large-scale project proposals and investment plans for various funding mechanisms is essential. A strong understanding of the global climate finance architecture and proven experience working with governments and development partners on policy and resource mobilization are also necessary.

Skills

Analytical Skills, Capacity Building, Communication, Donor Engagement, Fundraising, International Development, Knowledge Management, Partnerships, Project Management, Resource Mobilization, Stakeholder Engagement.

Explore related opportunities