Net-Zero Nature-Positive Planning Expert and Technical Coordinator - Job Opportunity at United Nations

Geneva, Switzerland
Contract
Senior
Posted: July 12, 2025
Remote
USD 85,000 - 120,000 per year equivalent, considering this is a senior-level UN consulting position with specialized expertise requirements in climate finance and international development, though actual compensation may be structured as a consulting fee rather than traditional salary

Benefits

Remote work flexibility enabling global collaboration across time zones
Opportunity to contribute to high-impact environmental initiatives with measurable global outcomes
Professional development through exposure to cutting-edge sustainability frameworks and methodologies
Extensive networking opportunities with international development professionals and environmental experts
Access to United Nations resources and knowledge platforms for continuous learning
Experience working with diverse stakeholders including government officials, private sector leaders, and civil society organizations

Key Responsibilities

Lead technical coordination efforts across 12 participating countries to accelerate net-zero nature-positive economic transitions, directly influencing national policy frameworks and investment strategies
Facilitate strategic multistakeholder engagement processes that bridge public and private sector interests to mobilize climate finance and biodiversity investments
Drive knowledge transfer and capacity building initiatives that establish global best practices for integrating nature-positive approaches into net-zero planning
Coordinate the implementation of the NZNPA Global Platform components, ensuring alignment between knowledge development, finance mobilization, and tracking mechanisms
Provide technical assistance and advisory services to country teams, enabling them to develop and implement comprehensive net-zero nature-positive strategies
Contribute to the development of globally accessible knowledge products that serve as public goods for sustainable development practitioners worldwide

Requirements

Education

Post Graduate Degree (Masters level or above) in international affairs, international development, international law, environmental governance, information technology, economics, social science or related field. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

A minimum of five years of project/programme management experience related to green economy, climate change, green fiscal policy and/or sustainable development is required

Required Skills

Project/programme management experience related to green economy, climate change, green fiscal policy and/or sustainable development Coordinating multistakeholder engagement processes Working in an international, multi-cultural setting Fluency in English Knowledge of Spanish
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The convergence of climate and biodiversity agendas is creating unprecedented demand for professionals who can navigate the complex intersection of net-zero commitments and nature-positive outcomes, driven by regulatory frameworks like the EU Taxonomy and corporate sustainability reporting requirements. Multilateral development banks and international financial institutions are rapidly scaling their green finance portfolios, creating a substantial market for technical experts who can design and implement integrated climate-nature financing mechanisms. The Global Environment Facility's eighth programming cycle represents a significant shift toward integrated programming approaches, reflecting the industry's move away from siloed environmental interventions toward holistic sustainability strategies. Countries are increasingly recognizing that achieving net-zero emissions requires nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration, creating demand for technical coordinators who can operationalize these integrated approaches at national scale.

Role Significance

The role involves coordinating with distributed teams across 12 countries, likely managing relationships with 20-30 technical professionals, government officials, and international development practitioners
This is a senior-level technical leadership position requiring autonomous decision-making and strategic coordination across multiple countries and stakeholder groups, with direct influence on national policy frameworks and international financing mechanisms

Key Projects

Development of national net-zero nature-positive strategies and implementation roadmaps Design and facilitation of multi-country knowledge sharing platforms and technical workshops Coordination of integrated financing mechanisms that blend climate and biodiversity funding sources Creation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for tracking progress on nature-positive economic transitions

Success Factors

Demonstrated ability to navigate complex international development ecosystems while maintaining focus on technical excellence and measurable outcomes Strong diplomatic and cultural intelligence skills essential for building trust and facilitating collaboration across diverse political and economic contexts Deep technical knowledge of climate finance mechanisms, biodiversity economics, and integrated policy frameworks that can be translated into practical implementation guidance Exceptional project management capabilities with experience managing multi-stakeholder initiatives across different time zones and organizational cultures Strategic thinking ability to identify synergies between climate and nature agendas while addressing potential trade-offs and competing priorities

Market Demand

High demand driven by the urgent need for technical expertise in climate-nature integration, with limited supply of professionals possessing both technical knowledge and international coordination experience

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Project management expertise in green economy and climate change is absolutely essential as this role requires coordinating complex technical initiatives across multiple countries with varying capacity levels and political contexts Multistakeholder engagement skills are crucial for success as the role requires building consensus and facilitating collaboration between government officials, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, and international development practitioners International and multicultural work experience is critical given the need to navigate diverse political, economic, and cultural contexts while maintaining technical credibility and building trust with country-level partners

Beneficial Skills

Spanish language skills significantly enhance the candidate's ability to work effectively with Latin American countries that may be part of the 12-country cohort, expanding their technical coordination capabilities Background in international law or environmental governance provides valuable context for understanding the policy frameworks and regulatory environments that shape net-zero nature-positive transitions Experience with financial mechanisms and investment coordination enhances the candidate's ability to contribute to Component 2 of the platform, which focuses on mobilizing public and private finance for implementation

Unique Aspects

This role represents a cutting-edge approach to environmental governance by explicitly integrating climate and biodiversity agendas, positioning the successful candidate at the forefront of next-generation sustainability thinking
The 12-country coordination scope provides exceptional exposure to diverse policy contexts and implementation approaches, offering unparalleled learning opportunities in comparative environmental governance
Working within the GEF-8 programming cycle means contributing to one of the world's largest environmental financing mechanisms, with direct influence on billions of dollars in environmental investments
The emphasis on knowledge as a public good aligns with growing trends toward open-source approaches in development cooperation and environmental solutions

Career Growth

Career progression typically occurs within 2-3 years given the rapid growth of the climate finance sector and the specialized nature of integrated climate-nature expertise

Potential Next Roles

Senior Programme Manager for Climate Finance at multilateral development banks Director of Sustainability Strategy at major international development organizations Lead Technical Advisor for national governments on green economy transitions Senior Consultant specializing in climate-nature integration for major consulting firms

Company Overview

United Nations

The United Nations Environment Programme represents the world's premier environmental authority, with UNEP's Industry and Economy division serving as a global leader in green economy transitions and sustainable development policy frameworks

UNEP maintains unparalleled convening power and technical credibility in the environmental sector, with direct access to government decision-makers and the ability to influence international policy frameworks
This Geneva-based position provides access to the heart of international diplomacy and multilateral decision-making, with direct connections to major international organizations, diplomatic missions, and global financial institutions
The UN system emphasizes collaborative approaches, cultural diversity, and long-term thinking, with strong emphasis on results-based management and accountability to member states and global stakeholders
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