Chief Project Advisor

Chief Project Advisor - NDC Partnership (Home based Retainer) Join to apply for the Chief Project Advisor - NDC Partnership (Home based Retainer) role at UNOPS. Job Highlight This is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact in international development while advancing your career in a prestigious UN organization. The position offers exposure to high‑profile projects, cross‑cultural collaboration, and professional development opportunities in project management, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence within the UN system. About The Project Office The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna with offices globally, is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. It manages a portfolio of over USD 500 million to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support. About The Group The NDC Partnership is a global coalition of more than 250 members, including 130+ countries and 110 institutions, delivering climate action to achieve the Paris Agreement and sustainable development. The NDC Partnership Support Unit is hosted by the World Resources Institute, UNOPS, and the UN Climate Change Secretariat. Role Purpose The Chief Project Advisor is a strategic position overseeing research, policy development, and financial innovation for implementing Mexico’s climate commitments, including the 2030 and 2035 NDC targets. The role demands economic expertise, strategic thinking, and climate policy insight. The advisor will respond to SEMARNAT under the Undersecretariat for Sustainable Development and Circular Economy, supervise four professionals in the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU), and coordinate with the NDC Coordinator at DGPAC. Functions / Key Results Expected Provide strategic leadership and vision for the Climate Change Economic Intelligence Unit, ensuring alignment with national climate and development priorities. Provide strategic advice to senior policymakers on the economic implications of climate policies, instruments, and investment decisions. Supervise all studies and technical reports developed by the EIU that analyze economic, financial, and budgetary barriers to the 2030 and 2035 NDC targets, ensuring methodological rigor and policy relevance. Validate or propose innovative economic models that mobilise public and private resources for NDC implementation, coordinating with the Ministry of Finance, Congress, and local governments. Design and propose financial vehicles to channel funds toward mitigation, adaptation, and loss‑and‑damage projects, ensuring coordination among federal entities, subnational governments, development banks, and private stakeholders. Conduct comprehensive economic impact analyses on GDP, trade, and distributive effects on consumers and vulnerable groups to identify optimal pricing strategies for climate instruments. Oversee the development of pricing frameworks for key climate instruments such as the Emissions Trading System and the National Compensation Programme. Propose robust evaluation methodologies for investment projects requiring environmental permits, integrating GHG emissions valuation, externality assessments, and compensation mechanisms. Ensure integration of climate risk and opportunity assessments into national economic planning and investment strategies. Supervise and mentor the Project Advisory Director and other senior staff, ensuring quality assurance. Promote internal knowledge sharing, capacity building and continuous improvement within the Unit. Impact of Results The Economic Intelligence Unit will deliver optimal price calculations to ensure the economic sustainability of priority mitigation and adaptation projects. Accelerated implementation of the 2030 and 2035 NDC targets through evidence‑based economic intelligence and coordination. Mexico will be equipped with robust economic and financial models guiding climate policy implementation, ensuring long‑term viability. Enhanced national capacity to mobilise and allocate climate finance efficiently across sectors and levels of government. Improved policy coherence and economic efficiency, reducing fiscal and regulatory fragmentation. Greater alignment between climate objectives and macroeconomic, trade, and fiscal policy. Increased credibility and influence of Mexico’s climate policy in international negotiations. Strengthened institutional frameworks for sustainable finance and climate investment. Improved stakeholder coordination and reduced duplication of efforts in climate finance mobilisation. Enhanced transparency and accountability in climate‑related economic decision‑making. Institutional learning and capacity development that persists beyond the 18‑month assignment. Required Education Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Economics, Public Policy, Environmental Engineering, Sustainable Development, Finance, Climate Change, Environmental Science, or related fields. Or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field plus additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Required Experience Minimum 7 years of experience in economic policy, climate finance, or public‑sector advisory roles. Desired Proven experience in macroeconomic analysis, financial instrument design, and inter‑institutional coordination. Experience working with international climate finance institutions (e.g., GCF, World Bank). Familiarity with Mexico’s climate policy landscape, fiscal systems, and regulatory frameworks. Seniority Level Executive Employment Type Contract Job Function Other Referral and notification lines omitted as they are not part of the core job description. #J-18808-Ljbffr