Climate Change Adaptation Officer (Home Based Retainer) – UNOPS Job Opportunity|Apply 04 Sept 2026
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is inviting qualified climate and development professionals to apply for the Climate Change Adaptation Officer (Home Based Retainer) position supporting the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) in South Africa. The mid-level opportunity is based in Pretoria, South Africa, with the successful candidate working from government facilities rather than a UNOPS office.
The position is offered under a 12-month LICA 9 retainer contract, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funding. Applications are open until 4 September 2026.
Climate Change Adaptation Officer Job Overview
The Climate Change Adaptation Officer will provide technical, coordination and facilitation support for South Africa’s climate adaptation agenda. A major focus of the position will be supporting the development of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness application and the Climate Investment Platform (CIP), while also contributing to monitoring and evaluation activities.
The officer will work closely with the DFFE, Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), National Treasury, Presidential Climate Commission and other government, private-sector and development partners. The role therefore provides an opportunity for an experienced climate professional to contribute to national climate investment and adaptation initiatives.
The position forms part of the UNOPS Water, Environment and Climate portfolio and supports the work of the NDC Partnership, a global coalition working to strengthen country-led climate and development action.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will have several important responsibilities related to climate policy, financing, partnerships and monitoring.
Key duties will include supporting the preparation of GCF Readiness applications, addressing feedback on logframes and theories of change, and contributing to the development of concept notes and full funding proposals.
The officer will also support the development and continuous improvement of the Climate Investment Platform. This includes mapping stakeholders, facilitating information exchange, coordinating meetings and helping identify funding and technical resources.
Another major responsibility will involve supporting strategic partnerships and resource mobilization for climate adaptation projects. The officer will help develop a pipeline of adaptation projects and ensure suitable investments are incorporated into the Climate Investment Platform.
The role will further involve facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues, supporting climate-related events such as COPs and regional climate weeks, and coordinating engagement between government and the NDC Partnership Support Unit.
Monitoring and evaluation responsibilities will include contributing to the National Climate Change Information System, National Climate Change Response Database, climate adaptation indicators and the Annual Climate Change Report. The officer may also participate in Indigenous Knowledge System studies, technical working groups and National Disaster Management Forums.
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants should have an advanced university degree, preferably at master’s level or higher, in public policy, development, climate change, climate finance, natural resource management, environmental management, economics, development or another relevant discipline.
A bachelor’s degree in a related field combined with an additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in place of an advanced degree.
Candidates must have at least two years of relevant experience in multilateral, national or grassroots governance and processes connected to climate change, policy or national systems development. Experience managing national stakeholder engagement processes is also required.
Additional experience in government climate processes, climate financing, bilateral cooperation, partnership development, climate policy, climate finance or investment planning would be highly advantageous.
Fluency in English is required.
Skills and Competencies
UNOPS is seeking candidates with strong expertise in climate policy, policy analysis, project management, resource management, stakeholder engagement, resource mobilization and communication.
The successful applicant should also demonstrate collaboration, partnership building, adaptability, sound decision-making and a strong results-oriented approach. Because the position involves coordination across government agencies, development partners, private-sector stakeholders and other institutions, excellent communication and relationship-management abilities will be particularly important.
Salary, Contract and Benefits
The vacancy does not publish a specific salary amount in the supplied announcement. Compensation will therefore be determined under the applicable UNOPS LICA 9 retainer contract terms rather than a publicly stated salary figure.
The position offers a 12-month contract, with possible extension depending on performance and available funding. As a UNOPS opportunity, the role provides valuable exposure to international development, climate finance, national policy coordination and the broader UN system.
Professionals selected for the position can also gain experience working with senior government officials, development institutions and international climate stakeholders. The opportunity can strengthen expertise in project management, stakeholder engagement, resource mobilization and climate investment planning.
However, applicants should note that this is a retainer national position, not an internationally recruited remote job. The successful candidate must be a South African national or hold a valid residence permit in South Africa.
Location and Working Arrangement
Although the vacancy is described as home based, the announcement specifies that the incumbent will work from government facilities rather than a UNOPS office. The successful candidate must therefore provide their own laptop and software.
This local eligibility requirement is particularly important for international applicants. Candidates living outside South Africa without the required nationality or valid residence permit would not meet the stated eligibility condition.
How to Apply
Qualified professionals interested in contributing to South Africa’s climate adaptation and investment agenda are encouraged to apply through the official UNOPS recruitment platform before the deadline.
Applications must be submitted before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on 4 September 2026. UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes and will contact only shortlisted candidates for the next stage of the recruitment process.
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements and ensure that their application clearly demonstrates relevant climate policy, stakeholder engagement, project management and climate financing experience.
Apply through the official UNOPS careers platform and submit the application before the closing deadline. This opportunity is particularly suited to climate and development professionals seeking to contribute to national adaptation policy, climate investment and implementation of the Paris Agreement.
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