Technical Senior Officer - Environmental (Retainer)

UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster; Michigan; Remote; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An international development organization seeks a Technical Senior Officer to support biodiversity initiatives. This role requires expertise in environmental policy and project management. Responsibilities include preparing reports, coordinating training sessions, and providing technical assistance to enhance project implementation. A Master's degree and fluency in English are mandatory, with competitive compensation.

Benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields.
• Experience in international environmental policy and biodiversity management.
• Fluency in English is required.

Responsibilities

• Identify gaps in biodiversity action plans to enhance efficiency.
• Prepare reports ensuring compliance with reporting requirements.
• Coordinate training sessions to improve project implementation.

Skills

Fluency in English

International environmental policy knowledge

Biodiversity and climate change expertise

Social entrepreneurship understanding

Education

Advanced university degree in relevant field

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Job description

Technical Senior Officer - Environmental (Retainer), Multiple positions

Vacancy code VA/2025/B5012/30767

Level ICS-9

Duty station Home based

Contract type International ICA

Duration 6 months with possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and necessity of services

Application period 24-Sep-2025 to 07-Oct-2025

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

Overview

This is a position to support a project which UNOPS is implementing for the United Nations Development Programme. The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Role and Department Context

The incumbent supports the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) Accelerator Partnership. The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership is a country-led initiative aimed at bolstering global, regional, and national ambition and political support for NBSAP implementation, catalyzing accelerated biodiversity action. The Partnership comprises four interconnected areas of work: matchmaking mechanism, facilitator programme, knowledge and learning arm, and global communications and advocacy arm. The role focuses on delivering the matchmaking mechanism, assessing and identifying technical and financial support, and data analysis of country requests, along with report writing and researching technical and technological features for the matchmaking mechanism.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support Services to the Technical Team

• Identify gaps and opportunities in countries’ biodiversity action plans to improve implementation efficiency.
• Prepare and submit high-quality reports to the CBD Secretariat, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements and timelines.
• Coordinate training sessions or workshops to strengthen national capacities for project implementation and reporting.
• Establish a feedback loop to refine technical support based on country-specific needs and progress.
• Facilitate connections with subregional technical and scientific cooperation support centers to enhance regional collaboration.
• Engage with national technical teams to provide tailored assistance and share resources.
• Review and provide feedback on the structure and content of the NBSAP and 7NR documents.

Project Support

• Align project activities with biodiversity goals and priorities at national and regional levels.
• Organize meetings with national focal points to review progress, address challenges, and plan next steps.
• Conduct literature reviews, knowledge management, and data compilation on relevant topics.
• Prepare and submit required reports to donors and stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Provide logistical and technical support for project-related events, workshops, and training sessions.
• Develop and maintain a centralized database for project documents, data, and communications.

Training and Knowledge Support

• Integrate biodiversity targets into national development plans through training sessions.
• Support the use of innovative tools and technologies for biodiversity planning and reporting.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of capacity-building activities and refine future initiatives.
• Promote multilingual resources to ensure inclusivity and accessibility.
• Collaborate with regional organizations to deliver regionally relevant capacity-building initiatives.
• Ensure capacity-building materials are up-to-date and aligned with global biodiversity goals.
• Encourage participation of underrepresented groups in capacity-building efforts.
• Document best practices, experiences, and lessons learned from participating countries.
• Organize follow-up sessions post-training to address queries and provide ongoing support.

Communications

• Ensure that all GEF Enabling Activities resources are accessible to users on the NBSAP Forum.
• Create multilingual resources for inclusive communications and outreach materials.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The assignment is supervised by the Senior Technical Manager.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, sustainable development, agriculture, project management, environmental management/sciences, economic development, science, social/political science, business, management, or related field with two (2) years of relevant experience; OR
• Bachelor’s degree in the same fields with four (4) years of relevant experience.

Work Experience

• Relevant experience includes international environmental policy, natural resource management, biodiversity/climate change, human rights, social entrepreneurship, local economic development, civil society engagement and education.

Languages

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.
• Knowledge of additional UN languages is an advantage.

Contract and Terms

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)

Contract level: International Independent Contractor Agreement (IICA-1) or Local Independent Contractor Agreement (LICA-9) - ICS9

Contract duration: 6 months with possible extension, subject to performance, funds and project duration.

Note: Local fee scale may apply depending on candidate’s status (national ID or resident permit).

A retainer contract specifies a unit price per day worked. Payment is made upon completion of work; no minimum commitment is implied.

For more details about the ICA contract, please follow the provided link.

Other Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for assessments. UNOPS is an equal opportunity employer and embraces diversity. We encourage women and underrepresented groups to apply.

Terms and conditions include mandatory courses for retainer contracts, UN Charter and UNOPS policies, and background checks as part of recruitment.

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by implementing peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects worldwide.