UNOPS Safeguards, Risk and Inclusion Specialist: Remote Retainer Opportunity with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs|Deadline: 18 September 2026
Professionals with experience in environmental and social safeguards, risk management, inclusion, conservation, climate finance, and stakeholder engagement have an exciting international opportunity to consider. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is recruiting a Safeguards, Risk, and Inclusion Specialist (Retainer) to support the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR).
The position is home based and offered at the mid-level ICS-10 category under an IICA 2 retainer contract. The assignment begins with a one-year duration and provides for up to 80 working days. Applications are open until 18 September 2026.
About the Global Fund for Coral Reefs
The Global Fund for Coral Reefs was launched in 2020 as a coalition designed to mobilize new public and private financing to protect climate-resilient coral reefs and prevent their collapse.
GFCR uses a blended finance approach, combining grants, technical assistance, concessional finance, risk-sharing structures, and private investment. Its objective is to support coral reef conservation while strengthening the resilience of communities and economies that depend on marine ecosystems.
The Fund focuses on four investment pathways: Sustainable Ocean Production, Sustainable Coastal Development, Circular Economy and Pollution Management, and Financial Mechanisms. It also works to promote ocean finance innovation, influence policy processes, strengthen enabling environments, and scale reef-positive financial solutions.
What Does the Specialist Do?
The Safeguards, Risk, and Inclusion Specialist will work as part of the GFCR Secretariat, supporting fund-level oversight and implementation of policies covering environmental and social safeguards, grievance redress, gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI), Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, private-sector engagement, and other risk and inclusion requirements.
Working under the direct supervision of the GFCR Deputy Director, the Specialist will provide strategic leadership and technical advice. The role is intended to promote consistency across the GFCR portfolio through technical guidance, quality reviews, and practical recommendations.
Key Responsibilities
A major responsibility will be assessing whether implementing partners’ safeguards, risk management, GEDSI, and grievance systems align with GFCR requirements. The Specialist will identify gaps and risks, recommend corrective actions, and help update GFCR policies and guidance where necessary.
The Specialist will also strengthen safeguards and GEDSI integration throughout the programme management cycle. This includes reviewing programme documents, risk registers, progress reports, management plans, and other materials. The successful candidate will advise teams on environmental and social risk screening, risk categorization, mitigation measures, risk ownership, monitoring, and reporting.
Another important area is grievance redress. The Specialist will support the development or improvement of practical grievance-handling procedures covering intake, assessment, referral, escalation, response, monitoring, closure, and reporting. They will also assess whether grievance mechanisms are accessible, equitable, transparent, confidential where necessary, and responsive to affected communities.
The role also involves capacity building. The Specialist will provide technical advice, prepare guidance materials, checklists, tools and templates, contribute to portfolio and donor reporting, and deliver capacity-building sessions for GFCR colleagues and implementing partners.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants need a relevant educational background and professional experience. A Master’s degree or equivalent in areas such as environmental management, environmental science, social sciences, international development, gender studies, human rights, Indigenous Peoples studies, environmental law, natural resource management, marine or coastal management, sustainable development, development finance, or a related field is required, together with five years of relevant experience.
Alternatively, candidates with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field can qualify with seven years of relevant experience.
Applicants must also have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in areas such as environmental and social safeguards, risk management, grievance redress, GEDSI, gender-responsive programming, Indigenous Peoples engagement, human rights, sustainability, conservation, climate finance, or development finance.
Experience working with safeguards or accountability requirements in programmes financed or implemented by UN agencies, international organizations, development finance institutions, climate funds, conservation funds, philanthropic funds, or similar institutions is required.
Experience in biodiversity conservation, marine and coastal ecosystems, blue economy, climate adaptation, sustainable finance, impact investment, ESG, or private-sector partnerships is desirable. Experience engaging Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities is also an advantage.
Application Deadline and Important Information
The application deadline is 18 September 2026. Applications must be submitted before midnight Copenhagen time on the closing date. UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not request candidates to make payments during recruitment.
Candidates should also be aware that retainer personnel must complete mandatory courses in their own time before providing services, and these courses are not compensated.
Final Thoughts
The UNOPS Safeguards, Risk, and Inclusion Specialist opportunity is well suited to professionals who want to contribute to coral reef conservation, sustainable finance, environmental safeguards, social inclusion, and climate resilience at an international level.
With a home-based arrangement and an assignment supporting the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, this role offers qualified specialists an opportunity to apply their technical expertise to programmes addressing some of the world’s most important environmental and community challenges.
Interested professionals should review the full vacancy requirements carefully and submit their application before 18 September 2026.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
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