Overview
Associate Programme Officer, P-2
Adaptation Division
Vulnerability Subdivision
Deadline Announcement Expected date Duration of Duty
for application number for entry on duty appointment Station
4 October 2026 26/TJO13/A As soon as possible 9 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
The Adaptation division helps Parties enhance their adaptive capacity, build resilience, and decrease
vulnerability to climate change. It offers comprehensive technical guidance and advice to countries on
all aspects of adaptation and resilience, especially in assessing climate change risks and sharing
knowledge; planning responses to impacts and vulnerabilities; and improving implementation and
monitoring progress.
This position is located within the Adaptation Division’s Vulnerability Subdivision. The subdivision brings
together Parties and non-Party stakeholders to assess and respond to climate impacts by integrating
diverse knowledge systems and lived experiences. It works to identify and address climate
vulnerabilities to foster intergenerational resilience; co-create inclusive and just climate actions rooted
in community realities; and apply diverse forms of knowledge to inform ambition and deliver context-
specific, actionable solutions.
The Vulnerability subdivision consists of two units:
1. The NWP unit supports the Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation
to climate change (NWP), including the Lima Adaptation Knowledge Initiative (LAKI).
2. The LCIPP unit supports the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP)
and its Facilitative Working Group (FWG).
The post reports directly to the team lead of the LCIPP unit and has the following key responsibilities:
• Support to the intergovernmental process
• Help foster strategic partnerships
• Support implementation of inter-sessional programmes, activities and knowledge
management strategies
Responsibilities
Specifically, the Associate Programme Officer is responsible for:
1. Support the intergovernmental process by facilitating the exchange of experiences on
holistic mitigation and adaptation approaches among Parties, Indigenous Peoples and local
communities
a. Prepare and draft a variety of substantive written and analytical outputs, such as
background/concept papers, analyses, briefings, policy proposals, in support of the UNFCCC
process, particularly on the LCIPP.
b. Provide substantive support to negotiations and mandated outputs/events, including preparing
briefing notes, talking points and background information, responding to requests from relevant
focal points and presiding officers.
c. Provide reliable in-session support to meetings and mandated events, including supporting
presiding officers and facilitators, tracking discussions, identifying and synthesizing key points
and preparing in-meeting documents.
d. Support the development of negotiated and other formal outputs, including draft conclusions,
decisions, recommendations and other outcome documents.
e. Prepare meeting reports and summaries and support follow-up, including capturing key
outcomes, decisions and action points, contributing to their timely implementation.
2. Support the implementation of intersessional activities and mandated work
a. Provide technical inputs to official documents through desk research and/or synthesis of
information
b. Undertake research and analysis on relevant workstreams, policies, knowledge and practices
related to climate change adaptation, including Indigenous and local knowledge systems, and
develop recommendations to inform the implementation of relevant workplans and mandates.
c. Collect, review and synthesize relevant information contributed by Parties, Indigenous Peoples
and local communities, partner organizations, and other relevant stakeholders and
organizations for further review and analyses.
d. Identify and engage relevant knowledge holders, experts, partner organizations, regional
centres and networks, to contribute diverse knowledge systems to the implementation of
mandated activities.
3. Support the communication, knowledge management and outreach work of the LCIPP
a. Support the development and implementation of communication and outreach strategies and
narratives that effectively communicate the work, outcomes and impact of the LCIPP to internal
and external audiences.
b. Manage, maintain and enhance the LCIPP web portal and related knowledge resources and
databases, and support the development of new applications as mandated;
c. Develop and disseminate communication, knowledge and outreach products for diverse
audiences, including web content, newsletters, news stories, social media content, knowledge
products and other materials that increase visibility, accessibility and uptake of LCIPP outcomes
and knowledge.
4. Performs any other job-related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of the unit,
the subdivision, the division and/or the secretariat.
Competencies
Applying Professional Expertise: Demonstrates expertise of subject matter and the transferable skills
required for the function; Shows the capacity to apply knowledge to deliver results based on acquired
background and experience; Seeks opportunities to apply own technical skills across related
disciplines, Keeps abreast of new developments and technologies in the field of expertise, Actively
seeks to expand the existing level of job knowledge and expertise.
Being Accountable: Uses UN funds, assets and resources responsibly, effectively and efficiently;
takes ownership of own work plan, honors commitments and acknowledges responsibility for any failure
in planning or delivering work; respects and operates in compliance with the UN regulations and rules;
ensures that own work and contributions to the team are complete, accurate and of the highest quality;
takes corrective action to address issues that compromise compliance or delivery
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 a discipline related to
climate change, sustainable development, knowledge management, environmental studies,
international relations, international law, economics or related field.
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: A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in climate change,
environment, international relations or related area is required. At least one (1) year of experience must
include working in an international environment.
Languages
Required: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of another UN
language is an asset.
Specific professional knowledge and skills and Job-related skills
Familiarity with the UNFCCC intergovernmental support process and related negotiations, including the
Cancun Adaptation Framework, is an asset. Knowledge of a diversity of climate change issues related
to indigenous peoples and local communities, vulnerable groups, and ecosystems is an asset.
Job-related skills:
Demonstrated oral and written communication skills are required. Demonstrated skill drafting technical
documents is an asset. Demonstrated skills in work plan implementation and effective collaboration in
a team environment is an asset.
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 37.2% 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.