General Information
Position Title
Senior Climate Smart Agriculture Advisor (Home based Retainer) - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Category
Partnerships
Duty Station(s)
Home based
Seniority Level
Mid Level
ICS Level
ICS 10
Contract Type
ICA - LICA - Specialist - Retainer
Contract Level
LICA 10
Posting Start Date
23-Jul-2026
Posting End Date
06-Aug-2026
Duration
12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on availability of funds
Job Highlight
The Senior Climate-Smart Agriculture Advisor will provide strategic and technical support to help the Ministry of Agriculture mobilize climate finance, develop high-quality investment pipelines and project concept notes, strengthen institutional capacity, and support implementation of agriculture-related climate priorities under Ethiopia’s Nationally Determined Contribution and related plans.
About the Region
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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
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From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality servces, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

About the Project Office
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WEC Background

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support.

WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country-specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

About the Group
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The NDC Partnership

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition, bringing together more than 260 members, including more than 140 countries, developed and developing, and more than 110 institutions to deliver on ambitious climate action that helps achieve the Paris Agreement and drive sustainable development. Governments identify their NDC implementation priorities and the type of support that is needed to translate them into actionable policies and programs. Based on these requests, the membership offers a tailored package of expertise, technical assistance and funding. This collaborative response provides developing countries with efficient access to a wide range of resources to adapt to and mitigate climate change and foster more equitable and sustainable development. The NDC Partnership Support Unit is jointly hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC). For this project, the Consultant will be contracted through UNOPS.

Job Specific Context
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Agriculture remains the backbone of Ethiopia’s economy and a primary source of livelihoods, employment, food security, and rural income. At the same time, the sector is highly exposed to climate risks, including erratic rainfall, drought, floods, land degradation, declining soil fertility, pest and disease pressure, and rising temperatures. These stresses threaten crop and livestock productivity, weaken household resilience, and increase pressure on ecosystems and natural resources.

The Government of Ethiopia has identified climate-smart agriculture as a priority pathway for advancing food security, resilience, low-emission development, and sustainable natural resource management. Despite this strong policy direction, major implementation challenges remain. Priority interventions are often not translated into finance-ready investment packages; opportunities for climate finance are not systematically tracked and pursued; institutional capacity for fundraising, proposal preparation, and investment planning remains limited; and implementation systems need stronger coordination, reporting, and technical backstopping. There is also a need to strengthen the ability of agricultural institutions to package projects that meet the requirements of climate funds, development partners, and private investors.

The Advisor will work closely with senior government leadership, regional bureaus, and key partners to translate Ethiopia’s NDC and CSA priorities into finance-ready projects, while providing technical backstopping for implementation across crops, livestock, rangeland and soil and water management, irrigation, agroforestry, and resilient value chains. A strong emphasis is placed on capacity building, system strengthening, and improving coordination, monitoring, and learning within the agriculture sector.

The Senior Advisor will report directly to the NDCPCountry Engagement Specialist and maintain a close working relationship with the State Minister of Agriculture, or another designated senior official within the Ministry of Agriculture, and relevant Ministry departments and units responsible for climate action, planning, extension, project development, and implementation. Collaboration will also extend to the Ministry of Planning and Development, specifically the Climate Policy, Analysis and Mainstreaming CEO and their team, as well as the NDCP In-Country Facilitator, Climate finance and Climate policy advisors team, with participation in joint planning and review sessions.

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 Home based 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 Ethiopia or have a valid residence permit in the country.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Role Purpose
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The Senior Climate-Smart Agriculture Advisor will provide strategic and technical support to help the Ministry of Agriculture mobilize climate finance, develop high-quality investment pipelines and project concept notes, strengthen institutional capacity, and support implementation of agriculture-related climate priorities under Ethiopia’s Nationally Determined Contribution and related plans.

Functions / Key Results Expected
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The Consultant will report to UNOPS, while day-to-day oversight of the assignment will be provided by the department within the Ministry of Agriculture in which he or she is embedded. The Advisor will also work in close coordination with the Ministry of Planning and Development, the NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator, and other relevant partners to ensure alignment and effective delivery of the assignment. More specifically, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

Climate Finance Mobilization

Identify, screen, and prioritize climate-smart agriculture investment opportunities related to crops, livestock, soil and water management, agroforestry, irrigation, digital advisory services, and resilient value chains.
Prepare and refine high-quality concept notes, project proposals, and investment packages for submission to climate funds, development banks, bilateral partners, philanthropic institutions, and relevant private investors.
Coordinate bankable project proposal development, including problem analysis, theory of change, results frameworks, budgets, financing plans, implementation arrangements, safeguards inputs, gender considerations, risk assessments, and monitoring frameworks.
Prepare climate finance strategies, donor engagement plans, funding opportunity trackers, investor outreach materials, and partnership notes to mobilize support for priority agriculture interventions.

Capacity Building and Strategic and Technical Support

Strengthen the Ministry’s capacity to prepare investment plans, project pipelines, concept notes, full project proposals, and financing strategies aligned with agriculture priorities, the Nationally Determined Contribution, and national development plans.
Provide strategic advice on implementation of agriculture-related climate priorities and climate-smart agriculture commitments, and support refinement of sector strategies, investment priorities, and implementation approaches.
Design and deliver practical in-house training, coaching, and mentoring for Ministry staff, Regional bureaus, extension systems, and other relevant institutions on climate finance, proposal development, donor engagement, and investment planning.
Improve institutional systems for project development, coordination, monitoring, reporting, verification, and knowledge management within the agriculture sector.
Develop practical tools, templates, guidance notes, and standard operating procedures to improve the quality and consistency of project preparation and climate finance engagement.
Advise on integration of climate-smart agriculture, and climate resilient included in the Sector NDC implementation Plan into agricultural policies, programs, and sector planning documents.
Provide technical backstopping to accelerate implementation of priority climate-smart agriculture interventions and support the Ministry to scale up practical lessons from ongoing initiatives, including those supported by the Netherlands Government.

Stakeholder engagement and Coordination

Support stronger collaboration among the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Planning and Development, the Ministry of Finance, Regional Bureaus of Agriculture and the Private Sector actors on Climate Resilient Agriculture, markets and value chains development.
Promote stronger engagement with private sector actors, financial institutions, agribusinesses, service providers, and cooperatives to strengthen climate-smart agriculture value chains and financing opportunities.
Regularly update the relevant teams and sector coordinators within the Netherlands Embassy on assignment progress, opportunities for alignment with ongoing Netherlands-supported initiatives, key financing opportunities, and policy or strategic developments affecting the sector.
Work closely with the NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator and relevant climate finance and climate policy advisors to ensure alignment, coordination, and follow-up on support provided to the Ministry

Other Related Tasks

Undertake field missions, consultations, reviews, and technical backstopping tasks needed to accelerate implementation of priority climate-smart agriculture interventions.
Support preparation of briefs, presentations, and decision notes for Ministry leadership and key stakeholders.
Carry out any other related strategic or technical tasks requested by Ministry leadership that are consistent with the purpose of the assignment.
Skills
Capacity Building, Climate, Finance, Fundraising, Policy Analysis, Project Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning
Competencies
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Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
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Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Education Requirements
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Required

Master’s degree or equivalent, preferably in Conservation Agriculture, Land and Water Resource Management, Irrigation water management, Agronomy, Livestock, Climate Change Agriculture, Project Planning, Public Policy, or another closely related field.
Bachelor's degree in related discipline with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (7 total) may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree.

Desired

PhD in Agriculture, Agronomy, Integrated watershed management, soil and water Conservation, agroforestry, development, climate-smart integrated watershed/catchment management, and rangeland development and managementdafdasf
Experience Requirements
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Required

At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in climate-smart agriculture, climate risk management, nature-based solutions (NbS), climate finance, agricultural investment planning, project preparation, fundraising, or closely related areas
Proven experience developing agricultural investment plans and project proposals contributing to national CSA strategies (including the NDC), and climate risk management.
Good knowledge of climate-smart agriculture approaches, value chains, irrigation, soil and water management and participatory rangelands improvements and livestock related resilient development initiatives in developing-country contexts
Strong understanding of climate finance architecture and donor requirements, with practical experience engaging multilateral climate funds, development banks, bilateral partners, philanthropic organizations, or private investors.

Desired

Expertise in promoting climate-smart agriculture technologies and experience engaging private-sector actors to scale technologies, partnerships, and agri-value chains and market development.
Strong analytical, writing, coordination, negotiation, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Practical experience working within Government Organizations and/or Federal Ministries
Language Requirements
Language Proficiency Level Requirement
English Fluent Required
Amharic Fluent Required
Additional Information
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UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
For more details about the contract types, please click here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
.justified-content { text-align: justify !important; } Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation. Terms and Conditions For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.