AFCIA Strategic Advisor

Result of ServiceThe objective of the assignment is to provide high-level strategic and technical guidance to enhance the AFCIA programme’s impact on climate adaptation technology innovation, investment, and scaling, through strengthened partnerships, improved programme design, and knowledge-driven coordination across implementing entities and regional hubs. Work Locationremote Expected duration12 months (Actual work time: 6 months, Part-time), Expecting start date: 1 February 2026 Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe Adaptation Fund (AF) was established by the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change to finance concrete adaptation projects and programs in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. As of 1 January 2019, the Fund started serving the Paris Agreement. The AFCIA programme was established in 2020, aligned to the Adaptation Fund Strategic Pillar 2 on Innovation, which aims to support rolling out and scaling up successful innovations, encourage and accelerate new adaptation practices, tools and technologies, and generate evidence on the conditions that lead to successful innovation. It encourages, as part of an innovation approach partnerships, iteration, learning and adaptive management. The 5 million usd AFCIA phase I programme implemented by UNEP (Multilateral Implementing Entity) and executed by CTCN provided 25 technical assistances in 23 countries between 2020 and 2025 reaching close to 99.5 million people. A second phase of the AFCIA programme (AFCIA II) started with a new UNEP/CTCN 10 million project endorsed by the Adaptation Fund and launched in 2025. In parallel, UNEP CTCN have been awarded by the Adaptation Fund in 2024 the coordination of sub-AFCIA programmes implemented by different Implementing Entities. The Project: Coordination Services for the Special Financing Window in Support of Innovation for Adaptation (AFCIA): Phase II was approved by the Adaptation Funds during its 43rd Board meeting in October 2024. Its implementation will start in January 2026 for 3 years with a budget of USD 3 Million. This project aims to coordinate and provide key support services to the Adaptation Fund Implementing Entities (IEs) managing AFCIA funding including UNEP/CTCN (10 million USD), UNDP (15 million USD), UNIDO (10 million USD), WFP (10 million USD), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) (5 million USD), and the Pacific Community (SPC) (5 million USD). More IEs have been invited to submit proposals for AFCIA and could join the Coordination Services programme. The Coordination Services aims to strengthen the coherence, performance, and visibility of the AFCIA programme through coordinated management, monitoring, learning, and knowledge-sharing services including the development of a joint M&E framework and knowledge products to feature impact. As part of this Coordination Proposal, UNEP CTCN plan to establish a Community of Practices (CoP) and to develop regional innovation hubs to strengthen adaptation technology development and scale up. In this context, UNEP CTCN is looking for Climate Adaptation Technology Lead to provide strategic guidance and thought leadership for the implementation of the global USD 40 million AFCIA programme. The consultant will play a key role in shaping the programme’s vision and ensuring its coherence, innovation, and impact across all implementing entities. Working under the supervision of the UNEP Head of Adaptation and in close collaboration with the UNEP and CTCN Programme Managers, the consultant will strengthen the programme’s strategic positioning, partnerships, and knowledge base to accelerate the development, diffusion, and scaling of transformative adaptation technologies. Scope of Work 1. Strategic Guidance and Programme Strengthening • Provide high-level guidance, strategic advice and technical inputs to the Project Steering Committee (PSC) to guide decision-making and enhance programme coherence, impact and sustainability • Upon request from the Implementing Entities, a review of shortlisted AFCIA grantee proposals could be ensured and recommendations could be provided to strengthen their design, innovation potential, and pathways to impact. 2. Partnership building and Investment Mobilization • Identify and cultivate partnerships with key actors—including research institutions, technology accelerators, regional centres supporting adaptation and innovation in the global south, and private sector investors—to strengthen the development, financing, and diffusion of adaptation innovation. . • Advise on the agenda, organization, and participation of the AFCIA regional technology hubs to ensure meaningful engagement of innovators, investors, and policymakers. • Strengthen and coordinate partnership and investment-related initiatives across AFCIA Implementing Entities to ensure coherence and a coordinated approach to private-sector engagement and to effectively present the full portfolio of AFCIA-supported innovative solutions to potential investors.Advise on strategies to leverage additional finance and investment opportunities for AFCIA technologies, promoting their long-term sustainability and scaling. • Contribute to enhanced the coordination and capacity amongst IEs and promote cooperation among sectoral ministries as well as the knowledge helix while securing greater involvement of subnational authorities and private sector engagement in knowledge and data-sharing and related decision making to facilitate synergies and harmonize efforts. • Represent AFCIA in selected global or regional forums including the 2 AFCIA adaptation technology regional hubs, climate weeks, COPs contributing to dialogue on innovation, technology transfer, Locally Led Climate Action, and private sector engagement for adaptation. (A company will be hired to support the logistical aspects of the hubs). 3. Knowledge and Learning Leadership • Contribute to joint strategic analytical, communication and knowledge studies commissioned under the AFCIA programme by providing technical insights and recommendations to advance adaptation innovation • Provide technical inputs to the design and implementation of the AFCIA Community of Practice (CoP) to enhance cross-learning and knowledge exchange among implementing entities and grantees. • Lead the development and presentation of learning modules on specific subjects prioritized by the IEs through the Community of Practice including climate impact, paradigm shift, transformational change, national/regional systems of innovation, gender and diversity, and adaptation and resilience and facilitate CoP learning sessions. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree in climate change adaptation, innovation, partnership building, learning management or related fields. A minimum of 7 years’ experience in climate change adaptation, innovation or related fields A minimum of 3 years' experience in learning management and partnership building Experience of coordination cross sectoral, cross agency complex climate related programmes Experience in working with UN agencies on international climate finance mechanisms or programmes (e.g. adaptation fund, GCF, GEF) would be an added advantage Previous engagement with private sector or investment facilitation for climate or technology solutions is a strong asset Experience in facilitating communities of practice, designing and facilitating learning modules/trainings/webinars (in person or online) would be appreciated LanguagesProficient in written and spoken English (mandatory). Additional InformationTravel is applicable such as 1)16-17 February 2026 to Vienna, Austria 2) Q4, 2026 to Africa (AFCIA HUB). UNEP will arrange and pay for the travel(substantive office option) No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.