Senior Climate Finance Officer (Home based Retainer) - Nairobi, Kenya

Duty Station(s) 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 Kenya or have a valid residence permit in Kenya.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Posting End Date 22-Jun-2026
Duration 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with the possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on the availability of funds
Functions / Key Results Expected
1. Policy and Strategy

• Support the development and review of policy, legislative and strategic frameworks on climate and green finance.
• Provide technical support to align national development priorities with international climate finance opportunities.
• Contribute to the preparation of high impact policy briefs and analytical reports on climate finance.
• Support the integration of climate finance into Medium Term Plans (MTP), sectoral plans, budgets, and investment frameworks.
• Advise on innovative finance instruments (e.g., green bonds, blended finance, debt for nature swaps, carbon markets).

2. Project Development and Resource Mobilization

• Assist in the National Treasury to deliver on its mandate as the National Designated Authority (NDA) for the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
• Support the role of the National Treasury as the focal point for the Climate Investment Funds (CIF).
• Support government ministries, agencies, and counties in developing a pipeline of bankable adaptation and mitigation projects for submission to climate funds (GCF, AF, GEF, CIF etc.).
• Provide capacity-building and mentoring on project formulation, financial structuring, and donor engagement.
• Facilitate partnerships with development partners, private sector, and financial institutions.
• Provide insights on latest developments in climate finance including the identification and access of the various financing windows.
• Provide support on climate finance issues/opportunities, including supporting the drafting of guidance notes, and preparation of high impact policy and relevant analytical reports on climate finance.
• Support the accreditation of the National Treasury as the Direct Access Entity for the GCF.

3. Capacity Building and Knowledge Management

• Conduct stakeholder capacity needs assessment, develop strategies and execute the capacity enhancement measures.
• Train and mentor government staff and stakeholders on climate finance access, management, and reporting

Skills

Climate Change, Policy Analysis, Project Management, Resource Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Mobilization, Effective communication.

Education Requirements

Required

• Master’s degree in economics, Natural or Environmental sciences, Sustainable Development Finance, Environmental Economics, Climate Finance, International relations, and other related disciplines. Or
• A Bachelor’s degree with two additional years of work (4 total) experience can be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree

Desired

A specialized training or certification in Climate Finance, Green Growth, Disaster Financing or related field will be an added advantage.

Experience Requirements

Required

• At least 2 years of general working experience in the field of environment, green growth, climate change and/or climate finance and relevant fields. In addition,
• At least 2 years of specific experience in climate finance in Kenya as evidenced by previous work with climate financing mechanisms.
• Proven experience working with national and/or county governments, Departments, and Agencies on climate finance matters.
• Strong knowledge of Kenya’s climate policies, institutional frameworks, and financing mechanisms.

Desired

• Experience of other national contexts that indirectly contribute to climate change.
• Ability to foster formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated previous work experience with the National Treasury and strong knowledge of Kenya’s climate policies, financing mechanisms and institutional frameworks is an added advantage.

Language Requirements

• English, Fluent, Required.
• Swahili, Fluent, Required

Opportunities for learning and growth

• Commitment to Excellence: Our support extends to all personnel at every level of the organization.
• Ongoing Development: We provide ongoing opportunities to help our people learn, develop, and excel at their jobs.
• State-of-the-Art Learning: Access a wide range of learning through our blended learning programmes, covering Leadership development and Personal and professional development.
• Key Credentials: Opportunities to benefit from Internationally recognized technical certifications and Membership to professional associations in various areas.
• Internal Culture: We foster an environment that encourages and supports knowledge sharing and collaboration