Climate Finance Specialist
Organizational Context
The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) supports sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding globally. This role is embedded within the Ministry of Finance in Botswana, a country recognizing climate change risks. The position aims to strengthen the Ministry's capacity to mobilize, track, and effectively utilize climate finance, aligning with national development plans and the NDC Partnership.
Job Purpose
This role provides high-level technical advisory support to Botswana's Ministry of Finance to enhance the mobilization, allocation, and tracking of climate finance. It directly supports the Ministry's mandate of managing public financial resources for national development in a climate-responsive manner. The advisor will strengthen the Ministry's strategic leadership in coordinating climate finance across government institutions and with development partners. Key contributions include improving institutional coordination, building capacity for climate project design, developing robust systems for climate budget tagging and public financial management, and integrating climate considerations into macroeconomic policy and national budget processes.
Responsibilities
The Climate Finance Specialist will lead the assessment of climate finance landscapes, identifying sources, instruments, gaps, and barriers, and providing investment recommendations. They will support the development of concept notes and funding proposals, facilitate collaboration with line ministries and development partners to identify and develop climate-resilient projects, and convene donor meetings. The role involves enhancing institutional coordination and capacity building through targeted training and regular meetings, and providing technical advice on climate expenditure tracking and reporting. A key responsibility is supporting the design and rollout of a Climate Budget Tagging (CBT) system. Additionally, the specialist will advise on integrating climate risks into fiscal policy, national planning, and public investment management, and facilitate engagement with financial sector regulators on green finance initiatives.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in climate finance, public financial management (PFM), or development finance is required. Demonstrated experience in climate-related PFM, including climate budget tagging systems or PFM reforms, is essential. Experience with international climate finance mechanisms and working within the Government of Botswana is desirable.
Skills
Climate Change, Funding, Policy Analysis, Project Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Effective Communication