NDCP Climate Finance Specialist (Technical Specialist - Environmental) - Fiji (Retainer, Homebased)

Remote | Suva

Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
Location: Remote | Suva
Grade: Mid level - LICA-10, Local Individual Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Banking and Finance
- Environment
- Meteorology, Geology and Geography
- Climate Change
- Project and Programme Management
- Documentation and Information Management
Closing Date: 2025-07-13

Job categories Partnerships, Climate, Environment

Vacancy code VA/2025/B5002/30374

Department/office GPO, GVA, Water, Environment & Climate (WEC)

Duty station Suva, Fiji

Contract type Local ICA Specialist

Contract level LICA Specialist-10

Duration 12 months, max 220 days, with possibility of extension depending on performance and on availability of funds

Application period 27-Jun-2025 to 13-Jul-2025

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Functional Responsibilities

The Climate Finance Specialist is specifically tasked with operationalizing Fiji's climate finance ambitions as articulated in its NDC and related national strategies. This will be achieved by providing targeted expertise and leadership to enhance the capabilities and capacity of the Climate Finance Unit (CFU) within the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. The core function of the specialist is to support the CFU in identifying, structuring, and attracting finance for decarbonisation projects that align with Fiji's NDC, thereby directly contributing to the acceleration of project implementation and strengthening national capacity in climate finance project development and execution.

A primary responsibility of the Climate Finance Specialist shall be to translate Fiji's high-level climate goals into concrete, bankable, and investment-ready project pipelines. This involves rigorous technical and financial structuring of potential decarbonisation initiatives across key sectors. The specialist will guide the CFU in developing detailed project documentation, including robust financial models and feasibility studies, that meet the stringent requirements of international climate funds, multilateral development banks, and private sector investors. The focus is on creating de-risked project proposals that clearly articulate climate impact, financial viability, and implementation readiness to unlock necessary capital flows.

In executing this mandate, the Climate Finance Specialist shall proactively leverage and build upon Fiji's existing, policy and strategic frameworks. This includes ensuring all project development and financing efforts are fully aligned with the objectives and pathways identified in the National Climate Finance Strategy, NDC Investment Roadmap, Low Emissions Development Strategy, National Adaptation Plan 2.0, and the overarching National Development Plan. The specialist is required to integrate these national priorities into the practical steps of project preparation and financial structuring, ensuring coherence and maximizing the impact of climate finance interventions. Furthermore, a critical task of the Climate Finance Specialist is to explore and implement innovative strategies for mobilizing domestic financial resources to complement international climate finance. Recognizing the significant pent-up liquidity within the Fijian financial sector (exceeding 1.9 billion Fijian Dollars), the specialist will design and structure blended finance solutions that effectively combine domestic capital with international public and private finance. This includes investigating and proposing mechanisms such as sovereign thematic bonds, targeted fiscal incentives or taxation solutions, and the establishment or utilization of de-risking and credit guarantee mechanisms to channel local investment towards climate-aligned projects.

The specialist shall execute their duties in a highly collaborative manner, ensuring effective coordination with relevant government agencies and stakeholders. A key requirement is to leverage existing technical and support roles embedded in other ministries and entities, thereby avoiding duplication of efforts and maximizing the efficient use of national resources. The overarching objective is to provide focused, expert support that empowers the CFU and facilitates the flow of finance required to operationalize Fiji's ambitious decarbonisation plans and transform national climate aspirations into funded, implemented projects on the ground.

The following responsibilities are part of the embedded Specialist role:

Strategic Project Pipeline Development & Prioritization:

Identify, vet, and screen potential decarbonisation projects across key sectors (e.g., renewable energy, transport, waste, energy efficiency) based on their alignment with Fiji's NDC targets, National Climate Finance Strategy, NAP 2.0, and new National Development Plan.
Develop comprehensive project profiles and concept notes that outline technical feasibility, potential climate impact (emissions reduction), preliminary cost estimates, and potential financing structures.
Establish and maintain a prioritized pipeline of climate projects ready for further development, based on criteria including technical readiness, financial viability potential, social and environmental safeguards, and readiness for implementation.

Bankable Project Structuring and Financial Modelling:

Lead the development of detailed business cases and feasibility studies for prioritized projects, including technical, economic, financial, environmental, social, and legal aspects required to meet international investor standards.
Develop robust financial models and projections that demonstrate the financial viability and return on investment for projects, suitable for presentation to diverse investors (including public funds, MDBs, private sector, etc.).
Design innovative and blended finance structures (combining grants, concessional loans, commercial debt, equity, results-based finance, etc.) that de-risk projects and improve their attractiveness to private sector investment.

Resource Mobilization and Investor Engagement:

Map and analyze potential sources of climate finance relevant to Fiji's decarbonisation priorities, including multilateral climate funds (e.g. GCF, Mitigation Action Facility, Climate Investment Fund etc), bilateral donors, international financial institutions, development banks, and private sector impact investors.
Prepare high-quality, tailored funding proposals and applications that meet the specific requirements of target financiers, clearly articulating project impact, financial structure, implementation plan, and alignment with fund objectives.
Proactively engage with potential investors and funding entities, represent the CFU/Ministry in discussions, presentations, and negotiations to effectively pitch projects and secure necessary finance commitments.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategy Development:

Conduct comprehensive risk assessments for climate projects, identifying financial, technical, environmental, social, political, and regulatory risks that could impact project implementation and financial returns.
Develop detailed risk mitigation strategies and management plans for identified risks, outlining specific actions, responsibilities, and timelines to address potential challenges.
Structure project documentation and financing arrangements to appropriately allocate and mitigate risks, enhancing project bankability and providing comfort to potential investors and lenders.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer within CFU & Government:

Develop and deliver targeted training programs and workshops for CFU staff and relevant officials from other line ministries on key aspects of climate finance, project development, financial modeling, proposal writing, and investor engagement.
Mentor and coach CFU team members through practical application on specific project development and financing processes, fostering hands-on learning and building internal expertise.
Develop and institutionalize standard operating procedures, templates, and best practice guidelines for project identification, appraisal, structuring, and financing within the CFU.

Policy Analysis and Enabling Environment Contribution:

Analyze existing national policies, regulations, and legal frameworks to identify barriers or bottlenecks that may hinder the development and financing of climate projects, particularly those involving private sector participation.
Provide expert technical input and recommendations to relevant government ministries and agencies on potential policy and regulatory reforms needed to create a more conducive environment for climate investment (e.g., related to tariffs, permitting, incentives, investment protection).
Support advocacy efforts within the government for the implementation of policies and incentives that can accelerate the deployment of low-carbon technologies and attract domestic and international investment.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Learning for Financial Performance:

Support the development of financial monitoring frameworks for funded climate projects, tracking disbursement of funds, expenditures, revenue generation (where applicable), and adherence to financial covenants agreed with financiers.
Prepare regular financial performance reports for the CFU, Ministry leadership, project stakeholders, and financiers, ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of climate finance.
Document lessons learned from successful (and unsuccessful) project financing efforts, analyse reasons for outcomes, and integrate these insights back into the project development pipeline and capacity-building initiatives to continuously improve the CFU's effectiveness.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

An advanced degree (Masters or higher) preferably in either finance, economics, commerce, public policy, public finance, development studies, environment management, or any other relevant field of study.
A Bachelor’s degree in a similar field and two years of additional experience (7 years in total)

Experience

Required

With a Master’s degree, at least 5 years’ experience in either international development, development finance, public finance, climate change mitigation and adaptation, project management, or any related field;
Knowledge of the country’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to green growth and climate change.

Asset

Experience in accessing and structuring finance for climate investments, including technical and financial development, particularly those that engage the private sector and development institutions.
Portfolio management experience, understanding of risk mitigation, project planning monitoring, and evaluation.

Language

Proficiency in English

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.

Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

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