Overview
Associate Programme Officer, P-2
Communications and Engagement Division
Engagement Subdivision
Deadline Announcement Expected date Duration of Duty
for application number for entry on duty appointment Station
6 September 2026 26/TJO12/C&E As soon as possible 4 months with Bonn, Germany
23:59 hrs CET possibility of
extension
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the focus of the
political process to address climate change. The UNFCCC secretariat supports the Convention, its
Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement through a range of activities, including substantive and
organizational support to meetings of the Parties and the implementation of commitments. It is a
dynamic organization working in a politically challenging environment to help resolve one of the defining
environmental issues of our time.
Where will you be working
This position is located in the UNFCCC secretariat in Bonn, Germany, in the Observer Relations Team
in the Climate Action Engagement Unit of the Engagement subdivision. The sub-division serves
multiple cross-cutting objectives, including enabling Parties, non-Party stakeholders and the public to
engage, connect and build capacity and knowledge for enhanced climate action, including in relation
to observer engagement in the negotiation process, gender and ACE integration, and partnerships and
supporting the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, agreed by governments to signal that
successful climate action requires strong support from a wide range of actors, including regions, cities,
business, investors and all parts of civil society.
What you will be doing
Reporting to the Programme Officer, P-3, Observer Relations team, you will contribute to supporting
observer engagement in the negotiation process through policy development and facilitation of
observer participation in both UNFCCC sessions and intersessional meetings.
Responsibilities
Specifically, the Associate Programme Officer is responsible for:
1. Developing policies and strategies to enhance participation by observer organizations in the
climate change process:
a. Assists in drafting policy and strategy papers on the participation of observer organizations in
the UNFCCC processes, including drawing on practices in other UN bodies, mandates from
Parties and visions of COP Presidencies for observer engagement;
b. Assists in developing strategies for secretariat outreach to, and in collaboration with, observer
organizations and other intergovernmental organizations, including working with other divisions
in the secretariat on related issues;
c. Assists in communicating a code of conduct for observer organizations participating in
sessions, including addressing important security issues of access and safety, drawing on
practices in other UN bodies and mandates from Parties.
2. Coordinating secretariat relations with observer organizations, including management of
official processes for admission of organizations and facilitation of participation of
observers:
a. Provides support in developing, promoting and maintaining close contacts with observer
organizations, particularly through NGO constituencies, to ensure the availability of information
on their activities; gathers intelligence on sensitive issues to share information, and to identify
and resolve problems through strategic partner organizations identified by the UNFCCC
management;
b. Provides information on observer organizations in order to assist Registration and
Accreditation team of Conference Affairs responsible for monitoring the registration process,
ensuring the accuracy of the list of participants and conference report, and dealing with
problem cases;
c. Maintains files containing relevant information on organizations.
3. Coordinating engagement activities by observer organizations:
a. Supports collaborative agenda setting and programming of observer engagement activities in
consultation with observer organizations, the COP Presidencies, the Presiding Officers and
the Executive Secretary as appropriate.
b. Supports observer organizations in their participation during sessions and inter-sessional
meetings and workshops.
c. Manage planning, organization and implementation of the selection process for side events
and exhibits, including liaison with applicants, internal divisions and host country service
providers to ensure appropriate facilities with enhanced accessibility; manages a system of
reporting and dissemination of information.
4. You will perform any job-related activity required to meet the overall goals and objectives of the
Communication and Engagement division, as well as those of secretariat-wide mandates.
Competencies
Communicating with impact: Speaks clearly and directly and is able to express views in an
understandable, credible and persuasive manner; Writes in a well-structured and logical manner, in
keeping with established UN standards; Openly shares information and keeps people informed; Uses
appropriate communication tools to disseminate information; Listens carefully to understand other's
views and responds appropriately; Seeks feedback and adjusts language, tone, style and format to
match the audience.
Being Responsive to Clients and Partners. Fosters a good rapport and seeks regular feedback from
internal and external clients and partners; Regularly consults with clients understand and respond to
changes they encounter; Takes action to resolve conflicts with individuals and groups within and
outside the organization to achieve win-win solutions; Works across organizational boundaries and
overcomes obstacles to enhance cooperation; establishes networks and leverages partnerships to
achieve results.
Working with Teams: Builds relationships of trust and exchange with colleagues; Works
collaboratively with colleagues to achieve results and respects the needs of the team; Recognizes
opportunities to enhance team effectiveness and results by tapping into diverse backgrounds, skills
and experience; Supports and acts in accordance with team decisions, even when such decisions differ
from own position; Encourages the participation of all members of the team regardless of their cultural
background, nationality, gender or sexual orientation; Shares credit for team accomplishments and
accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Delivering results: Conducts a critical analysis of situations to develop sound goals and work plans;
Consults with others to develop integrated, consistent and harmonized plans; Allocates and uses time
efficiently, and monitors own performance against timelines and milestones; Foresees risks, plans for
contingencies, and adapts to take account of changing circumstances; Perseveres to deliver projects
and pursues results despite obstacles and setbacks; Manages competing demands and focuses on
priorities to deliver results.
Education
Required: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in development studies, public
administration, international relations, environmental studies, or in a related discipline. A first-level
university degree in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in
lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience
Required: At least two (2) years relevant professional working experience on stakeholder engagement,
including capacity building, within international, multilateral, governmental or non-governmental
organisations working on climate change / environment, development cooperation. Relevant work
experience in an international setting is an asset.
Languages
Required: Proficiency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official
language is an advantage.
Specific professional knowledge and skills and Job-related skills
• Knowledge and demonstrable experience in conducting stakeholder engagement work in
environmental fields, preferably multilateral processes;
• Demonstrated skills in managing and aligning diverse groups of stakeholders, including
development agencies, non-state actors / civil society, financial institutions, the private sector,
and others;
• Knowledge and experience of climate change are essential;
• Familiarity with the UNFCCC intergovernmental process is desirable;
• Sound analytical and strong drafting and editing skills, good planning and organisational skills,
clarity of written and oral communications;
• Excellent communication and negotiating skills, ability to communicate with both technical
and nontechnical staff;
• Proven ability to prioritize and deliver tasks on time and to produce quality results while
meeting established goals;
• Excellent knowledge of substantive subjects in the context of climate change; Ability to
coordinate multi-stakeholder consultations in various regions.
Selection process
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a
competency-based interview. The above listed set of competencies will be applied for this particular
post.
How to apply
Candidates, whose qualifications and experience match what we are looking for, should use the online
application system available at http://unfccc.int/secretariat/employment/recruitment.
Please note
1. Service is limited to the UNFCCC secretariat.
2. UNFCCC staff members with a fixed term appointment can apply for this temporary opportunity
under the modality of Temporary Assignment. Please note that the Director of the Division in which
the selected candidate works has the discretion to determine whether or not the staff member can
be released for a temporary assignment, taking into account operational requirements. For this
reason, the selected candidate will have to present a written agreement to the staff member’s release.
3. We will confirm receipt of your application. However, only candidates under serious consideration
and contacted for an interview will receive notice of the final outcome of the selection process.
4. Indicative net monthly salary and allowances:
US$ 4,670
(plus variable post adjustment, currently 35.4% of net salary),
plus other UN benefits as indicated in the link below:
https://unfccc.int/secretariat/employment/conditions-of-employment.html
UNFCCC is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages candidates,
irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities
to apply.