Special Advisor - Climate Action and Energy Transition

UNDP; Roma; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition seeks a Special Advisor to provide high-level policy and political advisory to senior leadership. You will lead engagement with Italy and international partners, translating SDG-aligned priorities into scalable development partnerships.

The role requires senior-level counsel, managing a cross-functional team, and representing UNDP in important negotiations and joint programming with host governments and international bodies.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in International Relations, Development Studies, Political Science, Public Policy or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of government/international organizations experience with Master’s, or 12 years with Bachelor’s.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level policy, programmatic and political advisory support to UNDP senior leadership.
• Lead political and strategic engagement with governments and intergovernmental bodies, translating priorities into partnerships.
• Coordinate cross-ministerial engagements, focusing on Italian strategic initiatives and UNDP priorities.
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships to mobilize investments.
• Lead a cross-functional team and ensure quality control, reporting and accountability.

Skills

Political engagement

Policy dialogue

Multilateral diplomacy

Strategic partnerships

Intergovernmental negotiations

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic communications

Knowledge management

English fluency

Italian working knowledge

Education

Master's degree in International Relations

Bachelor's degree + 2 years qualifying experience

Job description

Organizational context: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading UN agency for sustainable development, integrating efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) houses global policy expertise and programmes. This Special Advisor role is situated within the UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition, focused on implementing and developing the partnership with Italy and collaborating with G7/G20 countries.

Job purpose: The Special Advisor provides high-level policy, programmatic, and political advisory support to UNDP senior leadership, enhancing strategic positioning and institutional partnerships with host and partner governments, particularly Italy. This role leads the political and institutional engagement strategy for UNDP with selected governments and intergovernmental bodies, focusing on translating strategic priorities like the Mattei Plan and G7 legacy into scalable, SDG-aligned development partnerships. The incumbent offers senior-level counsel, represents UNDP in critical negotiations, and manages a cross-functional team to align programming with evolving government policy priorities. The position also supports the institutional development of the Rome Centre and serves as a key contact point for Italian government entities and international partners.

Responsibilities: Lead political and strategic advisory functions by serving as the UNDP interlocutor with high-level political counterparts, providing advice on global and Italian political priorities, and supporting strategic communications. Coordinate cross-ministerial engagements, focusing on Italian strategic initiatives like the Mattei Plan, ensuring coherence with UNDP's Strategic Plan. Facilitate inter-agency collaboration across UNDP units and guide policy dialogue for joint programming. Lead partnerships development, representing the UNDP Rome Centre in high-level engagements, including G7-related coordination, and forging strategic partnerships to mobilize investments. Coordinate and manage strategic initiatives, liaising with relevant stakeholders and managing a team responsible for political affairs and programme integration. Ensure quality control, reporting, and accountability. Promote knowledge building and management by synthesizing best practices and fostering a learning culture.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in International Relations, Development Studies, Political Science, Social Policy, Public Policy, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's) with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be considered.

Work experience: A minimum of 10 years of experience (with a Master's degree) or 12 years (with a Bachelor's degree) in government and international organizations, including management responsibilities, is required. A proven track record in high-level political engagement, policy dialogue, and multilateral diplomacy is essential.

Skills: High-level political engagement, policy dialogue, multilateral diplomacy, strategic partnerships development, intergovernmental negotiations, cross-functional team management, strategic communications, knowledge management, fluency in English, working knowledge of Italian.

Required languages: English, Italian

Desired languages: