In – Country Coordinator

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.

Our thematic focus spans climate action and energy, health, peace and security, sustainable development, and humanitarian action, supporting high-impact initiatives across critical global priorities.

UNOPS Development and Special Initiatives team works with UN partners and Member States. This portfolio offers support for various initiatives and priorities of the UN Secretary-General in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, it helps the UN Secretariat in implementing global programs in areas such as political affairs, climate, counterterrorism and peacebuilding, among others.

UNOPS DSIP has been requested to support The Forest & Climate Leaders' Partnership (FCLP). This is a hosted entity. 

The Forest & Climate Leaders' Partnership (FCLP) was launched by world leaders at COP27 and aims to accelerate global progress to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation, through a voluntary and focused partnership of countries that are making a strong contribution to this agenda through national action and international collaboration.

The Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) is a high-level political platform launched at COP26 to support countries in delivering on the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use. The Partnership brings together governments, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), and key partners to accelerate action on forests, climate, and sustainable development through coordinated political engagement, technical collaboration, and mobilisation of finance.

To support effective delivery at the national level, the FCLP engages In-Country Coordinators to strengthen coordination, ensure alignment with national priorities, and support implementation of FCLP-related activities. In-Country Coordinators report to the Deputy Programme Director and work closely with the government focal point (Sherpa), relevant ministries, partners, and the FCLP Secretariat to ensure coherent engagement across FCLP workstreams and initiatives.

Accordingly, the technical profile, together with the objectives, scope, and other conditions of this service, are defined in these Terms of Reference.

Even though the level of the position is indicated as IICA-2, depending on the incumbent's personal situation (candidate with national ID or resident permit), a local fee scale (LICA-10) might be applied in determining the contractor's fee.

The In-Country Coordinator provides strategic, technical, and coordination support to enable effective national engagement in the FCLP and to advance the implementation of country-level priorities related to forests, climate, and biodiversity.

The role focuses on:

• Strengthening coordination across national stakeholders 

• Supporting implementation of Country Packages and related initiatives 

• Facilitating alignment between national priorities and FCLP work areas, according to national context and priorities

• Supporting access to finance and partnerships

Under the supervision of the Deputy Programme Director and in close coordination with Sherpas of each country, the In-Country Coordinator will provide technical, coordination, and facilitation support to enhance countries’ effective participation in the FCLP. Specifically, he/she will focus on the following activities: 

1. Coordination and Reporting

• Lead the development, regular updating, and monitoring of the country’s annual FCLP workplan

• Provide ongoing coordination between national and international actors 

• Deliver regular updates, reports, and briefing materials 

• Support planning and delivery of key events and political moments

• Prepare annual reports about countries’ participation on FCLP

2. Governance and National Engagement

• Support government participation in FCLP governance processes (e.g. Steering Committee, key meetings) 

• Support engagement in FCLP thematic priorities (e.g. integrated fire management, sustainable wood, supply chains) 

• Identify opportunities for implementation and partnerships 

• Facilitate, where of interest of each country, coordination between relevant national institutions, private-sector and FCLP partners 

• Coordinate inputs across ministries and national stakeholders 

• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and summaries 

• Ensure consistent and informed national engagement

3. Country Packages/National Action Strategy

• Support development and implementation of Country Packages and other national action activities

• Support organization of meetings, dialogues and other National Action activities

• Facilitate coordination between national actors, partners, and FCLP Secretariat 

• Align Country Packages and other FCLP activities with national strategies (e.g. NDCs, NBSAPs) 

• Support preparation of investment pipelines and political engagement 

• Enable knowledge sharing and participation in the Country Packages International Working Group.

4. IPs and LCs, and Land Tenure 

• Support implementation of the International Land Tenure Commitment (ILTC) – if applicable

• Facilitate engagement with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities 

• Strengthen coordination, monitoring, and reporting processes related to the involvement of IPs and LCs in FCLP activities or initiatives

5. Finance and Carbon Markets

• Support national engagement in FCLP carbon markets and climate finance initiatives 

• Facilitate coordination with private sector, donors, and financial actors 

• Provide national analysis on relevant frameworks when needed (e.g. Article 6, voluntary markets) 

Expected Outcomes

• Annual workplan developed and implemented: A clear, country-specific annual workplan is agreed with the FCLP Secretariat and national stakeholders, guiding priorities, timelines, and delivery across all relevant workstreams. 

• Strengthened national coordination and engagement in FCLP: Effective coordination mechanisms are established across government institutions and partners, enabling coherent participation in FCLP processes. 

• Effective implementation and progression of Country Packages (if applicable): Country Packages advance in line with agreed milestones, with improved alignment between national priorities, partners, and financing opportunities. 

• Improved alignment between national priorities and international support: FCLP engagement supports stronger coherence between national strategies (e.g. NDCs, NBSAPs) and international initiatives, partners, and platforms. 

• Enhanced access to finance and partnerships: Increased mobilization of financial and technical support, including through alignment with donors, private sector actors, and relevant initiatives. 

• Clear and consistent reporting and communication: Timely delivery of high-quality updates, briefs, and reports to inform decision-making and external engagement.

Required

• First-level university degree in Administration, International Relations, Communications, Public Policy, Forestry, Forest Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Ecology, Climate Change, Law, or a related field, with at least 7 years of relevant experience;
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the above fields, including forestry, environmental or climate-related disciplines, with at least 5 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• Additional training or certification in forest management, climate finance, carbon markets, or project management is an asset.

Required

• Demonstrated experience working with government institutions and multi-stakeholder processes 
• Relevant experience in project coordination or implementation in areas such as climate, forests, biodiversity, or sustainable development 
• Experience engaging with multiple stakeholders, including development partners, civil society, and/or community organisations. 
• Strong experience in facilitating dialogue, coordination, and knowledge exchange processes.

Desired

• Experience in developing or supporting policy or investment proposals and engaging with donors and multi-stakeholder platforms. 
• Familiarity with REDD+, ART TREES, jurisdictional carbon markets, or results-based climate finance mechanisms. 
• Experience working on climate governance, carbon markets, or land tenure/regularisation issues.
• Experience supporting international initiatives or partnerships related to forests, climate, or sustainable development. 

Other requirements

• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally

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