Climate Resilient Specialist, Irrigation and Lowlands Development (Home based Retainer)
Job Description
🌍 Climate Resilience Specialist – Irrigation & Lowlands Development
UNOPS | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Home-based Retainer
Help strengthen climate resilience through sustainable irrigation, climate finance and lowlands development.
UNOPS is recruiting an experienced specialist to support Ethiopia’s Ministry of Lowlands and Irrigation Development (MoLID) in advancing climate-resilient development and delivering national NDC 3.0 priorities.
📌 Role at a glance
- Contract: 12-month retainer (up to 220 working days)
- Level: LICA 10 – Specialist
- Location: Ethiopia (Home-based)
- Applications: 9–23 November 2026
🎯 Key responsibilities
- Climate Finance: Develop investment proposals, mobilise funding and explore blended finance opportunities.
- Irrigation Development: Support climate-resilient irrigation, efficient water management and infrastructure.
- Partnerships: Build relationships with donors, investors, government and development partners.
- Capacity Building: Coach Ministry officials and strengthen institutional knowledge and expertise.
- NDC 3.0 Implementation: Support rangeland restoration, sustainable resource management and resilient pastoral livelihoods.
👤 Who should apply?
Education
- Master’s degree in Irrigation Engineering, Water Resources, Climate Change, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, Development Finance or a related field.
- Bachelor’s degree holders may qualify with two additional years of relevant experience.
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience.
- Proven expertise in climate finance and investment proposals.
- Experience in irrigation, climate adaptation and water management.
- Strong capacity-building, mentoring and partnership skills.
Desirable
- Donor-funded development programmes.
- World Bank or Netherlands-supported initiatives.
- Blended finance and public-private partnerships.
- Experience in Ethiopia and pastoral communities.
🌐 Language requirements
- Required: Fluent English and Amharic.
- Desirable: Intermediate French, Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin or Russian.
⚠️ Important eligibility information
- Applicants must be Ethiopian nationals or hold a valid Ethiopian residence permit.
- Home-based role, with work undertaken from government facilities.
- Candidates must provide their own laptop and software.
- Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Extension may be possible, subject to performance and funding.
📅 Ready to make an impact?
Application deadline: 23 November 2026
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. UNOPS does not charge recruitment or application fees.
