National Project Coordinator - Nature for Cooling Challenge (Côte d’Ivoire)

UN Secretariat; Paris; On-site; EUR 27,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) seeks a National Project Coordinator to lead the Nature for Cooling Challenge in Côte d’Ivoire. You will coordinate day-to-day implementation, act as the main liaison with government entities, and ensure activities align with national priorities.

You will map stakeholders, organize a multi-stakeholder platform, oversee the launch and Call for Proposals, support project selection, and help develop policy and procurement guidelines for sustainable

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in environmental science, urban planning, architecture, engineering, natural resource management, climate change, or related field.
• First-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.

Responsibilities

• Act as liaison between UNEP and Government of Côte d’Ivoire and ensure government engagement.
• Map national stakeholders, establish and facilitate a multi-stakeholder country platform.
• Organize the NCC launch event and promote the Call for Proposals.
• Coordinate national activities with government focal points and implementing partners.
• Support selection of nature-based solutions projects and capacity-building.
• Contribute to policy, regulation, and procurement guidelines for nature-based cooling.
• Prepare for a National Financial Dialogue and monitor progress; flag risks and support reports.

Skills

Project coordination

Environmental science

Urban planning

Architecture

Engineering

Natural resource management

Climate change

Government liaison

Multi-stakeholder consultations

Event organization

Nature-based solutions

Urban greening

Sustainable buildings

Sustainable cooling

Policy development

UN agency experience

Private sector engagement

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent

First-level degree + 2 years experience

Job description

Organizational context: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is seeking a National Project Coordinator for the Nature for Cooling Challenge in Côte d’Ivoire. This role operates under the supervision of the NCC project team and the Head of the UNEP West Africa Sub-regional Office, ensuring timely delivery of national activities with strong government engagement and ownership.

Job purpose: The purpose of this role is to coordinate the day-to-day implementation of the Nature for Cooling Challenge (NCC) in Côte d’Ivoire. The coordinator will serve as the primary liaison between UNEP and the Government, ensuring project activities align with national priorities and securing government participation. This involves managing national-level project execution, fostering government and stakeholder engagement, and facilitating the successful delivery of project milestones, including the launch of the NCC, selection of nature-based solutions projects, and development of policy and regulatory frameworks to promote sustainable cooling solutions. The role contributes to accelerating the global transition to sustainable cooling and achieving climate goals.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include acting as the primary liaison between UNEP and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, ensuring strong government engagement and ownership. This involves mapping national stakeholders, establishing and facilitating a multi-stakeholder country platform, and coordinating national activities with government focal points and implementing partners. The role requires organizing the official launch event and promoting the national Call for Proposals. It also involves managing the selection process for nature-based solutions projects, supporting selected proponents, and coordinating national capacity-building activities and study tours. Furthermore, the coordinator will contribute to the development of national policy, regulation, and procurement guidelines for nature-based solutions for cooling, and prepare for a National Financial Dialogue. Monitoring national progress, flagging risks, and providing inputs for reports and communication materials are also essential duties.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental science, urban planning, architecture, engineering, natural resource management, climate change, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.

Work experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in project coordination or management within environment, climate change, or urban development fields, specifically including experience in Côte d’Ivoire. Demonstrated experience working with national ministries and local authorities in Côte d’Ivoire is essential. Proven experience in organizing multi-stakeholder consultations and high-level events is also required.

Skills: Project coordination/management, environmental science, urban planning, architecture, engineering, natural resource management, climate change, working with national ministries and local authorities, multi-stakeholder consultations, event organization, nature-based solutions, urban greening, sustainable buildings, sustainable cooling, policy/regulatory development, UN agency experience, private sector engagement.

Required languages:

Desired languages: