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Climate Finance Expert (Home based Retainer) - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

UNOPS -
Remote

Job Details

Qualifications

Funder relationship management
Writing skills
Building partnerships with major donors
Climate change
Conflict management
Cross-functional collaboration
Project planning phase
Project stakeholder communication
Cross-functional communication

Full Job Description

General Information

Position Title

Climate Finance Expert (Home based Retainer) - Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Job Category

Partnerships

Duty Station(s)

Home based

Seniority Level

Mid Level

ICS Level

ICS 10

Contract Type

ICA - LICA - Specialist - Retainer

Contract Level

LICA 10

Posting Start Date

07-May-2026

Posting End Date

18-Jun-2026

Duration

12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on availability of funds

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 Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

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

Recognizing the importance of having an organization with deep local knowledge to serve as NDC Partnership’s national-level interface and facilitate coordination of the NDC implementation in the country, the Kyrgyz Republic joined the NDC Partnership in February 2017 and received technical support from the Governments of Germany, the EU, Sweden, Spain, and Italy in partnership with the UNDP to update its NDC.

The Kyrgyz Republic submitted its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2020, followed by an updated version in 2021. Most recently, in October 2025, Kyrgyzstan submitted its NDC 3.0. The most recent NDC sets an unconditional target of net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 18% from the projected baseline level of net emissions in 2030 and by 16% from the projected baseline level of net GHG emissions in 2035. Conditional targets aim for 30% and 39% reductions, respectively, contingent on international support.

The Climate Finance Specialist will be embedded in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision (MNRETS). S/he will report to the NDC Country Engagement Specialist and will work closely with the NDC Partnership Focal Point and the NDC Partnership Support Unit and will regularly report on the progress achieved. S/he will engage with the Cabinet of Ministries of Kyrgyz Republic as well as high-level engagements with donors, climate funds, MDBs, and bilateral donors to identify projects and generate resources for the implementation of the NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS.

The detailed NDC Implementation Plan is expected to be finalized in early 2026. The Plan will incorporate a list of sectoral and overarching projects to be completed in 2025-2030 to ensure reaching the NDC target. As part of the Kyrgyz Republic’s effort to implement their NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS the government of Kyrgyzstan has requested for a Climate Finance Advisor to support the government of Kyrgyzstan for:

Providing advisory support to enable Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision (MNRETS) and Climate Finance Center to move effectively from NDC planning phase to NDC implementation;
Perform targeted sector analysis to scope specific investment needs and opportunities across the NDC priority sectors and develop criteria and a transparent process for prioritising investments to build a pipeline of viable potential investment project ideas for climate funding;

Prepare project concept notes targeting specific IFI(s) for priority NDC and climate resilient investment projects;

Facilitate the dialogue between the government of Kyrgyzstan, IFIs and International Climate Funds.
This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on availability of funds.

This is a Home-based position, meaning the incumbent will be expected to work from government offices in Kyrgystan and not work from a UNOPS office or from home. Additionally, the incumbent will need to take their own laptop, equipped with all the relevant software, to government facilities.

As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of Kyrgystan or have a valid residence permit in the country.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Role Purpose

The Climate Finance Advisor will provide expert advice on the successful implementation of measures identified in the main strategic climate related documents, such as the NDC, NDC Implementation Plan, Carbon Neutrality Concept and National Adaptation Plan through access to international climate finance. This role involves the provision of technical and strategic inputs to support the work of the MNRETS and Climate Finance Centre in accessing international climate funds and funds from the MDBs in order to implement measures identified in the NDC Implementation Plan and in the updated Climate Investments Plan. This position will contribute to the strengthening of the climate project portfolio of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Functions / Key Results Expected

The position will involve working with the Cabinet of Ministries of Kyrgyz Republic as well as high-level engagements with donors, climate funds, MDBs, and bilateral donors to identify projects and generate resources for the implementation of the NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS. The Climate Finance Specialist will implement all tasks in close coordination with the NDC Partnership Focal Point, and the NDC Partnership Support Unit. The following responsibilities are part of the Climate Finance Specialist role in the Kyrgyz Republic:

1. Identifying a pipeline of projects

1. Prepare a project pipeline by conducting a preliminary assessment of potential investment projects and provide recommendations on them in accordance with the requirements of global climate funds and MDBs.

2. Guide and oversee the preparation of the draft project concept papers (to be further developed into full concept papers with support from development partners) by local project preparation staff for climate resilient investment projects that funding partners are interested in co-funding with international climate funds, such as the GCF etc.

3. Assist the government in preparing concept notes to access financing for unfunded priorities based on the updated NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS.

4. Review the structuring and technical analysis of project concepts and

proposals developed by Climate Finance Centre and MNRETS.

2. Tracking and analyzing funding opportunities

1. Identify and track funding opportunities relevant to the NDC implementation as well as climate-resilient and low-carbon sectoral projects and programs.

2. Facilitate the mobilization of financial and technical resources for the implementation of NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS, including the identification of implementing agencies and partners for the developed project concepts.

3. Ensure that project concepts meet the requirements of possible funders, global climate funds, MDBs, as well as bilateral and multilateral development partners, or a combination of those listed here (e.g., multilateral development partner seeking funding from a global climate fund).

4. Lead the process of populating and regularly updating Kyrgyz Republic’s monitoring/reporting tool for climate finance. Assist the government in development of such tool.

3. Providing strategic inputs to MNRETS and CFC

1. Monitor and assess financing requirements and gaps for the implementation of NDC, including supporting transparency of support from different development partners.

2. Collaborate with the NDC Partnership Support Unit to document changes in the operating context.

3. Provide strategic insights for identification and development and direct access entities.

4. Support the Kyrgyz Republic and the NDC Partnership Support Unit in initiating a financing plan for NDCs implementation.

5. Support the government in identifying potential and appropriate implementing and development partners for each action/priority and identify the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder.

6. Support the government in identification (and subsequent negotiations) of relevant accredited entities for partnership in project development.

4. Coordination and communication with key stakeholders

1. Support the strengthening of coordination among different agencies for accessing external climate finance resources.

2. Work closely with MNRETS and CFC to participate in external negotiations and discussions with donors, MDBs, Climate Funds etc.

3. Support the country in following up on and mobilizing partner support for its needs and priorities (and update those along the way as needed following the government’s guidance) along with a preferred process for coordination of country engagement under the NDC Partnership, as proposed and agreed upon by the Cabinet of Ministries of the Kyrgyz Republic.

4. Engage with partners in the country to link needs to financial resources in accordance with the NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS, including by providing the government’s inputs on alignment of partners’ country strategies with priorities and gaps identified in the above policy documents;

5. Provide inputs and participate in the NDC Partnership’s conferences, trainings and other activities at the global, regional and national levels that are relevant for project development, financing, and resource mobilization.

6. Support the in-country facilitator in periodic reporting of donor/partner support

to the NDC Partnership.

5. Identifying lessons learned and results

1. Liaise with the Support Unit to access and/or feed into global knowledge products relevant to project development, financing, and resource mobilization

2. Assist the Support Unit in the identification and dissemination of information on best practices and lessons learned from in-country engagement

6. Capacity building

1. Build capacities of MNRETS staff to prepare project concepts considering requirements and criteria of international climate fund and MDBs.

2. Share the knowledge and skills of access modalities, requirements and criteria of the project application process of GCF and other types of funding sources available for the country.

3. Strengthen capacities by mentoring and training relevant MNRETS and CFC

staff on developing bankable projects.

4. Identify capacity needs related to climate financing for implementation of

NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS.

Expected deliverables:

Q1:

1. Inception report and 12-month workplan developed jointly with the government.

2. Funding Opportunity Tracker: A live database/table identifying and tracking at least 10 relevant funding windows from GCF, GEF, MDBs, and bilateral partners aligned with the updated NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS.

3. Baseline Capacity Assessment: a brief report identifying specific technical gaps within MNRETS and CFC regarding bankable project development.

Q2:

4. Policy Paper on methodological recommendations for prioritization and shortlisting projects for successful NDC Implementation.

5. Preliminary Project Pipeline Report: a prioritized list of at least 5-7 potential investment projects with preliminary technical and financial assessments.

6. Prepare mapping report for Climate Finance Ecosystem in Kyrgyzstan across

MNRETS, CFC, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance and other line ministries and intergovernmental coordination bodies. The report should incorporate evaluation of capacity of the ministries in attracting climate Finance.

Q3:

7. Development of training programme for government personnel on development of Concept Notes and Project Information Notes for International Climate Funds, including key description of major ICFs and IFIs, their application criteria and funding windows.

8. Resource Mobilization & Stakeholder Mapping: A document identifying potential Implementing Agencies (IAs) and Accredited Entities (AEs) for the identified pipeline, including a record of initial outreach/negotiations.

9. Draft Concept Notes: At least 3 high-quality draft concept notes (CNs) ready for review by international funding partners.

10. Based on mapping report and (Deliverable 6) develop policy note capturing innovative approaches, policy enhancements and capacity-building initiatives to enhance efficiency of mobilizing climate finance across key ministries engaged in NDC Implementation.

Q4:

11. A series capacity-building workshops delivered for government personnel based on the prepared training programme. The series of workshops should incorporate at least 1 train-for-trainers to ensure capacity retention.

12. Finalized Concept Notes project: At least 3 high-quality CN incorporating feedback from the government and international funding partners are prepared. The final CNs should include recommendations on pathways towards full funding proposal.

13. Draft Concept Notes: At least 3 high-quality draft concept notes (CNs) ready for review by international funding partners.

14. Lessons Learned & Knowledge Product: A document/briefing note summarizing best practices from the Kyrgyz Republic’s engagement with global climate funds to be shared with the NDC Partnership Support Unit.

15. Capacity Building Final Report & Retention Plan: Summary of training outcomes and a list of remaining high-priority capacity gaps to be covered in the next NDC cycle.

16. Final Contract Completion Report: Comprehensive summary of delivered technical assistance and recommendations for the next year.

Skills

Capacity Building, Climate Change, Concept Development, Negotiation, Project Planning, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning, Effective communication

Competencies

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) in business, finance, law, public policy, public finance, sustainable development, environment management, or a similar relevant field.
Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (7 total) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience Requirements

Required

At least 5 years of experience working in international development and development finance with a track of structuring, design and implementation of projects in climate change mitigation and adaptation, particularly in energy, waste, agriculture, forestry and other land use, and industry.
Familiarity with access modalities, project management frameworks, and investment criteria of MDBs and prominent global climate funds such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), The International Climate Initiative (IKI), Mitigation Action Facility (MAF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and/or Adaptation Fund (AF).
Knowledge about the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, NDCs and SDGs;
Understanding of public finance modalities for climate change-related projects

Desired

Experience in mobilizing resources for the implementation of NDCs.
Experience in structuring, including technical and financial development, of projects that are commercially viable and present replicable and scalable business models in compliance with requirements of various climate finance funds with Kyrgyzstan as the main recipient.
Understanding of and experience with banking products relevant to low-carbon and resilient development projects.
Ability to network and develop partnerships across a range of stakeholders and record of accomplishment in managing complex multi-stakeholder strategies and plans.

Language Requirements

Language

Proficiency Level

Requirement

English

Fluent

Required

Russian

Fluent

Required

Kyrgyz

Intermediate

Desirable

Additional Information

UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
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.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

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.