Senior Program Officer GHG Management, Air Quality and Climate Economics

Global Green Growth Institute; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An international environmental organization is seeking a Senior Program Officer in Dubai to lead initiatives related to GHG management and air quality. The ideal candidate should possess a Master's degree, at least 9 years of experience in relevant fields, and project management skills. Responsibilities include coordinating projects, engaging with government counterparts, and ensuring timely delivery of environmental results. This position also involves developing methodologies aligned with international best practices and UAE priorities.

Benefits

15% of base salary towards retirement plan

27 days of annual leave

Private health insurance covering dental and vision

Qualifications

• Minimum 9 years of professional experience in engineering, economics, or sustainable development.
• Minimum of 2 years of full-time international experience outside the home country.
• Exceptional project management skills with relevant certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead MRV and air quality projects under the UAE Country Program.
• Coordinate the SAFE Initiative to ensure timely delivery of milestones.
• Communicate progress and challenges to internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Climate reporting

Technical advisory

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Job description

Senior Program Officer - GHG Management, Air Quality and Climate Economics

Location UAE City Dubai Contract Type Staff Grade X9 Salary scale Country Scale End date of appointment 1 year (renewal is considered subject to fund availability and performance) Deadline 03/02/2026 Job Reference RP26-17

Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.

ABOUT THE UAE COUNTRY OFFICE

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) covered by the Regional Office (RO) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is one of the founding Member countries of GGGI and currently serves as a Member of its Council, GGGI’s executive organ presided by His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations. GGGI’s UAE Program based in Abu Dhabi – with a physical presence in Dubai as well - is scaling up its activities to deliver a multi-year cooperation program with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), along with various national and international stakeholders. The GGGI UAE Office is supported by a Host Country Agreement with MOCCAE. GGGI also has an active collaboration with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) in the form of an MoU, in addition to other MOUs with key partners from academia and NGOs, to support Climate Planning, MRV, Air Quality, and ESG.

POSITION SUMMARY

Based in Dubai at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) the Senior Program Officer is responsible for leading the MRV and Air Quality projects, along with any other relevant initiatives requested by UAE governments and assigned by the GGGI UAE Country Representative, and supporting the Country Representative in developing substantive inputs and analyses to inform the development, delivery, and assessment of work programs and activities at the country level; organizing program activities across green growth planning, capacity building and country-specific knowledge development for effective result delivery under biannual/annual program plans; maintaining effective program reporting and communication internally and externally in line with GGGI’s corporate policies, standards and protocols. In addition, the Senior Program Officer will provide technical support and coordinate the implementation of GGGI’s flagship initiative, “Scaling Agriculture and Food Systems for Economic Development” (SAFE).

PURPOSE

• Coordinate the implementation of MRV systems, air quality projects, and climate economy activities under the UAE Country Program.
• Apply technical expertise to ensure accuracy and relevance of analytical outputs and deliverables.
• Contribute to the development of methodologies, tools, and approaches aligned with international best practices and UAE priorities.
• Support the implementation of the SAFE Initiative by facilitating coordination and timely delivery of milestones.

ENGAGEMENT

• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to integrate green growth solutions across workstreams.
• Maintain effective relationships with government counterparts to ensure ownership and smooth implementation of activities.
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations, workshops, and technical meetings to strengthen engagement and knowledge sharing.
• Communicate progress, challenges, and lessons learned clearly to internal and external stakeholders.

DELIVERY

The Senior Program Officer reporting to the UAE Country Representative and working with staff, consultants, and government counterparts, shall:

• Implement projects under assigned workstreams, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality outputs
• Monitor and report on project progress in compliance with GGGI standards and donor requirements, including log-frame and results-based reporting.
• Proactively develop and maintain working relationships with relevant local stakeholders in relation to the delivery of the Program’s objectives.
• Ensure quality assurance of analytical outputs from the relevant workstreams– and others if assigned by the CR- by carrying out technical review and providing inputs to different work streams.`
• Provide technical advisory support to government partners around policy issues on green growth and sustainable development in line with national development priorities and international best practices.
• Develop knowledge products, policy briefs, and capacity-building materials to advance GGGI’s thought leadership agenda.
• Contribute to the development of country engagement strategy (Country Planning Framework), green growth indicators, tools and methodologies in line with GGGI Strategy 2030.
• Support GGGI’s work program and budget, monitoring and evaluation, learning and development, and strategy.
• Coordinate activities under the SAFE Initiative, ensuring alignment with work plans, stakeholder engagement, and effective delivery of milestones.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Engineering, Economics, Climate Change/Sustainable Development, Public Administration, Management, International Development or any discipline related to the assignment. Relevant professional experience may be considered to supplement educational degree.
• Minimum 9 years of professional experience in the above fields with at least 3 years of experience in the UAE.
• Minimum of 2 years of full-time professional experience in an international context outside the candidate’s home country (excluding study abroad programs and internships)
• Public policy or project management specialization and experience.
• Knowledge, experience, and understanding of GGGI’s Strategic Outcomes.
• Knowledge of global issues and initiatives in the area of climate change, green growth, sustainable development; etc.
• Knowledge of the methodologies for emissions inventories, including IPCC Guidelines and/or the EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook is desirable.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding and experience in climate reporting in accordance with Article 13 of the Paris Agreement, establishing climate tracking and reporting systems.
• Understanding of financing mechanisms for projects and experience in market assessments and cost/benefit analysis, resource mobilization will be a plus.
• Experience in government relations, donor engagement, and public-private partnerships particularly in the UAE.
• Exceptional project management skills. Project management certification (PMP, CDPM or any other globally recognized certification) is an advantage.
• An excellent command of spoken and written English.
• Proficiency in Arabic - both written and verbal - is considered an asset.

FUNCTIONAL

• Strategic thinking with a proven project delivery experience, i.e. managing the delivery of results on budget and time;
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure and to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different backgrounds;
• Experience in data analysis, research, and application of quantitative/qualitative assessment.
• Experience in developing countries context, preferably on policy consultation and project development.
• Experience in fund raising and resource mobilization.
• Promote a collaborative and inclusive work culture.
• Provide technical guidance and professional development opportunities.
• Demonstrated experience in building, nurturing and sustaining multi-stakeholder partnerships including national, sub-national and regional government.

CORPORATE

• Understand and actively support GGGI’s mission, vision, and values.
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership.
• Excel at problem solving, ask questions, seek support when needed, and easily share information/knowledge with others internally and externally.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, build rapport, and resolve conflict easily.
• Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity.
• Excellent in English with strong oral and written communication skills; including public speaking.
• Proficiency in Arabic (spoken and written) is considered an asset.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The Senior Officer is X9, UAE grade level in GGGI’s salary scale. For an X9 national grade, the base salary starts from USD 85,237. Determination of base salary is subject to candidate’s experience, academic background, and internal equity. Terms and conditions are to be reviewed in a case-by-case situation.
• GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance that covers dental and vision.
• GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.