Project Advisory Director – NDC Partnership (Homebased Retainer)

UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services; Ciudad de México; Híbrido; MXN 200,000 - 400,000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

An international organization seeks a Project Advisory Director to lead economic modeling initiatives supporting Mexico's climate action goals. The role involves guiding innovative economic proposals, supervising technical teams, and engaging with government officials to enhance the implementation of climate-related policies. Candidates should have a strong background in economics and climate policy, with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience. Fluency in Spanish is required, with English as a desirable skill. This is a remote position based in Mexico City.

Formación

• Minimum 7 years of experience in economic modeling, climate policy, or public finance.
• Demonstrated experience in managing technical teams and producing high-quality reports.
• Familiarity with international climate reporting standards and multilateral processes.

Responsabilidades

• Develop proposals for economic models that mobilize resources.
• Conduct economic modeling of decarbonization pathways.
• Supervise technical staff and ensure quality assurance across outputs.
• Engage with local and international officials to promote policy uptake.

Conocimientos

Communication

Economic Modeling

Policy Analysis

Report Writing

Stakeholder Engagement

Strategic Planning

Educación

Advanced degree (Master's or higher) in relevant fields

Bachelor's degree with additional relevant experience

Ph.D./Doctorate/Post Doctorate in related fields

Descripción del empleo

Project Advisory Director – NDC Partnership (Homebased Retainer)

UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services Remote | Mexico City Both national and international LICA 11 level Speaks English, Spanish

Application deadline: January 21, 2026 (11 days)

Job Highlight

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to Mexico's climate action agenda by providing high-level economic expertise and strategic guidance to the government. The role offers significant exposure to national and international climate policy processes, as well as the chance to lead and mentor a technical team.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS' strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

As part of the Global Portfolios Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.

About the Project Office

WEC Background:

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support. WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

About the Group

The NDC Partnership:

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition, bringing together more than 250 members, including more than 130 countries, developed and developing, and more than 110 institutions to deliver on ambitious climate action that helps achieve the Paris Agreement and drive sustainable development. Governments identify their NDC implementation priorities and the type of support that is needed to translate them into actionable policies and programs. Based on these requests, the membership offers a tailored package of expertise, technical assistance and funding. This collaborative response provides developing countries with efficient access to a wide range of resources to adapt to and mitigate climate change and foster more equitable and sustainable development. The NDC Partnership Support Unit is jointly hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC). For this project, the Consultant will be contracted through UNOPS.

Job Specific Context

The Project Advisory Director will be part of the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU), with the primary objective of supporting the Mexican Government in the implementation of the 2030 and 2035 NDC targets and broader climate-related programs. This will be achieved through systematic assessments of the economic impacts and needs of circular economy initiatives, decarbonization projects, such as industrial greening, public electromobility and climate change mitigation and adaptation policies. The Unit will serve as a strategic mechanism for policy coherence, coordination, and transparency, ensuring that SEMARNAT’s actions are aligned with national economic and industrial priorities while advancing environmental goals.

Role Purpose

The Project Advisory Director has a senior leadership role responsible for guiding strategic proposals for innovative economic models, monitor global trends in climate economics, integrate relevant innovations into national policies and develop economic incentives and instruments as well as analyze and propose solutions for barriers to the implementation of the 2030 and 2035 NDC targets. The Director will interact with other high-level officials both within the Ministry and in other ministries as well as local governments.

The Chief Project Advisor will coordinate closely with the Coordinator of the NDC for Mexico at the General Directorate for Policy and Climate Action (DGPAC), which is part of the Undersecretariat for Sustainable Development and Circular Economy at SEMARNAT.

Under the supervision of the Senior Programme Manager at UNOPS, the incumbent will maintain fluid communication to effectively monitor the proper fulfilment of objective by the consultants who will be part of the EIU.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Develop and refine proposals for innovative economic models, mechanisms or instruments that facilitate the mobilization of public and private resources, including fiscal incentives, blended finance, and risk-sharing mechanisms, in coordination with the Undersecretariat for Sustainable Development and Circular Economy.
• Conduct economic modeling of decarbonization pathways using quantitative tools to inform sectoral and cross-sectoral strategies (i.e input-output matrix analysis, marginal abatement cost curves, among others).
• Propose a comprehensive approach for evaluating investment projects requiring environmental permits, to include consideration of GHG emissions, pollutants, as well as compensation mechanisms to facilitate decision making process.
• Coordinate the design and implementation of economic frameworks for addressing economic and financial barriers regarding adaptation and loss and damage components of the NDC, ensuring methodological consistency and policy relevance.
• Lead the development of economic inputs for the National Offsets Program, the Circular Economy Strategy, and Mexico´s first National Adaptation Plan (NAP) including its adoption, implementation, and monitoring frameworks.
• Carry out and document economic analysis and assessments related to adaptation and loss and damage measures under the PECC (Special Climate Change Program), ensuring alignment with sectoral mandates.
• Supervise technical staff of the Economic Intelligence Unit and ensure quality assurance across all modeling and analytical outputs.
• Engage with local, national and international officials and other stakeholders to validate findings and promote policy uptake.
• Monitor global trends in climate economics and integrate relevant innovations into national policies.
• Implement robust monitoring systems for performance, timelines, and budgets.
• Provide executive-level reporting, including project performance dashboards and updates.

Impact of Results

• The Project Advisory Director will play a central role in developing and executing economic modeling and analysis for the different components of Mexico’s NDC including adaptation to ensure that it reflects current climate risks and policy priorities to facilitate its implementation.
• The Director will lead the development of the new economic analysis related to loss and damage component of the NDC, providing economic justification and implementation pathways for this emerging area.
• National Offsets Program, Circular Economy Strategy, and Mexico’s first National Adaptation Plan (NAP) will benefit from robust economic analysis, facilitating its adoption, implementation, and long-term monitoring, including the evaluation of investment projects related to these policy instruments.
• Sectoral adaptation and loss and damage measures under the PECC will be supported by rigorous analysis, enhancing their effectiveness and coherence.
• The Unit’s outputs will contribute to more informed and economically sound climate policy decisions.
• Improved integration of economic modeling into national climate planning will strengthen Mexico’s ability to meet its international commitments.
• Enhanced stakeholder engagement and inter‑institutional coordination will improve the uptake and implementation of economic recommendations.
• The Director’s work will ensure that climate finance strategies are grounded in solid economic evidence, increasing their credibility and impact.
• Strengthened capacity within the Unit to respond to emerging climate finance opportunities and policy needs.
• Increased transparency and accountability in the evaluation of private sector projects with environmental implications.
• Better alignment of adaptation and loss and damage strategies with economic, fiscal and development planning.
• Institutional learning and capacity development in climate economics and policy analysis.

Skills

Communication, Economic Modeling, Policy Analysis, Report Writing, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem‑solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

• An advanced degree (Master's or higher) preferably in Economics, Public Policy, Environmental Engineering, Business Administration, Sustainable Development, Finance, Climate Change, Environmental Science, Business Administration, or relevant fields
• Bachelor's degree preferably in a relevant field as outlined above, with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (9 total), may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
• Ph.D./Doctorate/Post Doctorate in Economics, Public Policy, or related field.

Experience Requirements

Required

Minimum 7 years of experience in economic modeling, climate policy, or public finance.

Demonstrated experience in managing technical teams and producing high‑quality reports.

Experience with input‑output modeling, CGE analysis, and climate finance mechanisms.

Familiarity with international climate reporting standards and multilateral processes.

Experience contributing to the development or revision of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), or similar national climate policy instruments.

Experience working with or advising ministries of finance, planning, or environment on climate‑related economic reforms or fiscal policy integration.

Language Requirements

• Spanish – Fluent Required
• English – Fluent Desirable

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are under‑represented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here .
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.