[Hiring] Technical Coordination Senior Officer @United Nations Office for Project Services

Role Description

This role offers a unique opportunity to significantly contribute to South Africa's climate action by strengthening the science-policy interface and enhancing national participation in Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) processes. The incumbent will play a pivotal role in coordinating scientific inputs, managing expert networks, and ensuring the integration of climate science into national policy frameworks, thereby advancing sustainable development and climate resilience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in climate science, environmental science or a related field.
• Master’s degree in related fields will be an added advantage.

Requirements

• At least 4 years’ experience in climate science or policy-related work, with experience within international frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in scientific coordination, research synthesis, or policy support.
• Strong knowledge of South Africa’s climate policies, institutional frameworks, and monitoring and reporting systems.
• Excellent analytical, stakeholder engagement, and report-writing skills.
• Strong understanding of IPCC processes, assessment cycles, and review mechanisms (desired).
• Experience with data management and information systems will be an added advantage (desired).

Benefits

• This is a retainer national vacancy/position for twelve (12) months, maximum of 220 working days, with the possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on the availability of funds.
• This is a home-based position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from the government facilities.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Impact of Results

• Functional and inclusive national scientific coordination mechanism with regular outputs and engagement.
• Increased number and quality of South African contributions to IPCC assessments.
• Improved integration of IPCC science into national policy frameworks.
• Comprehensive and accessible national database of climate experts.
• Well-coordinated and technically informed national participation in international IPCC processes.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• National Technical Coordination
  • Establish and operationalize a national IPCC technical/scientific committee.
  • Provide secretariat support and ensure effective functioning of the committee.
  • Coordinate expert consultations on IPCC reports and outputs.
• IPCC Processes & Review Management
  • Coordinate national participation in IPCC review processes (FOD, SOD, FGD).
  • Organize and lead expert review workshops and government review processes.
  • Manage nomination of national experts for IPCC roles.
• Science & Policy Alignment
  • Ensure alignment between IPCC findings and national climate policy processes.
  • Support development of national IPCC positions.
  • Facilitate identification of scientific gaps and initiate response actions.
• Knowledge and Data Management
  • Maintain and regularly update a national IPCC expert database.
  • Track and synthesize national contributions to IPCC processes.
• International Relation Support
  • Provide technical support to South Africa’s participation in IPCC panel sessions and technical working groups.
  • Contribute to preparation for approval sessions and negotiations.

Skills

• Climate Change
• Policy Analysis
• Project Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Effective communication

Competencies

• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit.
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal.
• Open to change and flexible in a fast-paced environment.
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner.