Senior Technical Officer – Carbon Markets, Article 6 and Climate Change Mitigation (Home based [...]

Unops is seeking a Senior Technical Officer for Carbon Markets, focusing on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and climate change mitigation. This home-based role involves high-level policy discussions, collaboration with international partners, and developing a domestic carbon market framework in South Africa. The position is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolios Office, supporting sustainable development and climate action initiatives globally.
Job Highlight The position offers exposure to high-level policy discussions, collaboration with government and international partners, and professional development in carbon finance and climate change mitigation. The incumbent will support the development of a robust domestic carbon market framework, with focus on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and climate change mitigation.
About the Region 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.
About the Country/Multi-Country Office As part of the Global Portfolios Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.
Job Specific Context As part of its institutional support to the South Africa Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the NDC Partnership mobilizes support for key priorities for implementation of South Africa’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). These areas include: implementation of the Climate Change Act; international leadership in climate action; development of a Long-Term Low-Emission Development Strategy, carbon pricing policy and operationalization of a carbon market framework. Under the last priority area, South Africa requires support for development of a robust domestic carbon market framework, including potential domestic emissions trading, a fully functional domestic registry capable of supporting both Article 6.2 and 6.4 transactions, and comprehensive stakeholder capacity building.
As part of its support to South Africa, the NDC Partnership will contract a Senior Technical Advisor to support the development of a robust domestic carbon market framework, with focus on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and climate change mitigation. The incumbent is expected to work closely with the DFFE team and other consultants to play a key role as part of the DFFE Technical Task Team on Carbon Markets.


The Senior Technical
Advisor will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and will work in close collaboration with the Chief Director: Climate Change Mitigation and Specialist Monitoring Services, the Partnership’s focal point in DFFE and related technical teams in DFFE. He/she will make technical contributions in the specific areas related to carbon pricing, carbon markets and carbon finance, as outlined below.


This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve (12) months, maximum of 220 working days, with possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on availability of funds.


This is a Homebased position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from the government facilities. Therefore, the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software.


As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of South Africa or have a valid residence permit in South Africa.


Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.


Role Purpose Under the guidance of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and in close collaboration with the DFFE Climate Change and Air Quality Branch, the Senior Technical Advisor will provide support to:
Operationalisation of the Article 6 framework (including 6.2 and 6.4) Integration and enhancement of the Domestic Registry to support Article 6.2 and 6.4 Analysis and review of domestic carbon pricing policy and implementation post 2030 Article 6 awareness raising and capacity building for stakeholders Support for t