Special Advisor - Climate Action and Energy Transition [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants], Rome, Italy

## Special Advisor - Climate Action and Energy Transition [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants], Rome, Italy - Organization:UNDP - United Nations Development Programme - Office:UNDP in Rome, Italy In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby: - Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026. - Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments - Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers - Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply. II. Background and Organizational Context The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading organization for sustainable development within the UN system and acts as the key integrator for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP operates across headquarters, regional, and country levels, leveraging local expertise alongside global insights to deliver effective advocacy and solutions. For six decades, UNDP has worked with partners to lift millions out of poverty and expand opportunities for all. UNDP's Strategic Plan 2026-2029 is grounded in the determination to eradicate poverty—the greatest global challenge and a prerequisite for achieving the 2030 Agenda. Through the Strategic Plan, UNDP will continue supporting countries in advancing high human development while protecting the planet. Four strategic objectives—prosperity for all, effective governance, crisis resilience, and a healthy planet—guide its direction, powered by three accelerators: digital and artificial intelligence (AI) transformation, gender equality, and sustainable finance. All efforts are underpinned by a strong commitment to human rights and to leaving no one behind. Within UNDP, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) bring together world-class policy expertise, flagship global programmes, and collaborative innovation and learning networks. BPPS ensures that UNDP is not only ready for the future but actively helps shape it with governments and partners. Working closely with the Crisis Bureau (CB), BPPS supports countries in navigating complex development and crisis contexts, integrating risk considerations into programming, and strengthening results-based management, innovation, and data-driven approaches. The Global Policy Network (GPN) is central to this effort, mobilizing technical expertise to advance UNDP's strategic objectives and signature solutions. Within the GPN, BPPS is responsible for developing policy and guidance, providing technical advice to Country Offices, representing UNDP in multi-stakeholder fora, and supporting UN inter-agency coordination across thematic areas. The position of Special Advisor is located within the UNDP Rome Centre for Climate Action and Energy Transition (the “UNDP Rome Centre”). The central purpose of the Rome Centre is to ensure the effective implementation and further development of the strategic partnership between UNDP and the Government of Italy, while advancing broader collaboration with G7 and G20 countries in support of sustainable development. The Rome Centre focuses on three priority areas: the Platform for Investment Support and Technical Assistance (PISTA), Youth Engagement in Climate Action, and Energy for Development. PISTA aims to mobilize finance for climate, energy, and environment by originating projects that support decarbonization and climate-resilient transitions in developing economies, while catalyzing international financial resources. Matching impactful projects with investors goes hand in hand with engagement with financial institutions—both institutional and private—at Italian and global levels. Energy for Growth promotes access to sustainable energy in developing countries, contributing to SDG7. It supports partner countries in unlocking finance to scale up clean energy solutions, expand energy access, and accelerate the energy transition. By connecting UNDP's country presence and technical capacity with the public-private ecosystem of Italy and other G7 countries, the initiative helps mobilize capital aligned with the international energy and SDG agenda. Youth4Climate advances youth engagement in climate action, contributing to SDG13. It supports youth-led and youth-inclusive solutions through financing and capacity development, while providing young climate leaders worldwide with a platform to engage with policymakers and global decision-makers. The Rome Centre also holds a broader mandate to engage the Italian ecosystem, working closely with key public and private sector actors to mobilize financial resources for development objectives. To ensure effective implementation of the Centre's workplan and its long-term strategic impact, the Rome Centre will continue to expand strategic partnerships and reinforce collaboration with Italy and other key partners. The initiative aligns with UNDP's goals on inclusive climate governance, energy transition, and intergenerational equity, linking global policy to local implementation. III. Position Purpose The Special Advisor will provide high-level policy, programmatic, and political advisory support to UNDP senior leadership, strengthening UNDP's strategic positioning and institutional partnership with host and partner governments and key intergovernmental stakeholders, with a particular focus on Italy - including the Prime Minister Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and other relevant institutions. This position leads the political and institutional engagement strategy of UNDP with selected partner governments and intergovernmental bodies, with a focus on Italy, under the direction of the Coordinator, UNDP Rome Centre, ensuring that strategic political priorities such as the Mattei Plan and G7 legacy translate into scalable, SDG-aligned development partnerships. The incumbent provides senior-level counsel to UNDP senior management, represents UNDP in critical intergovernmental negotiations, and manages a cross-functional team to align country, regional, global programming and the evolving policy priorities of key government counterparts. This role also supports the institutional development of the Rome Centre and acts as key point of contact with key Italian government entities and international partners in full alignment with UNDP's mandate and governance framework. UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. IV. Key Duties and Accountabilities 1.) Lead Political and Strategic Advisory Functions - In close collaboration with the UNDP Director in Italy, the incumbent serves as the UNDP interlocutor with high-level political counterparts, including the Prime Minister's Office and other key political stakeholders representing UNDP's perspectives and ensuring alignment with its mandate. - Advice to UNDP senior leadership on global political priorities, including on Italian institutional priorities, political developments, and opportunities for strategic alignment. - Advice and support the Coordinator, UNDP Rome Centre in shaping and delivering strategic communications and high-level visibility strategies that advance UNDP's development agenda. 2.) Lead Institutional Coordinat