Policy Advisor

Policy Advisor on Multilevel Climate Action and Subnational Climate Finance (m/f/d) 

GIZ project „CHAMP Implementation Programme“ (CHIP)

Level: Band 4 / national staff | 

Working hours: full-time 

Location: Addis Abeba 

 Assignment period: 01.12.2026 – 30.06.2028

The Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) brings together national governments committed to strengthening cooperation with cities, states and regions in the implementation of their national climate strategies and the latest round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0). Ethiopia joined the CHAMP pledge during its launch at COP28 in Dubai in 2023.

The GIZ self-funded measure “CHAMP Implementation Programme” (CHIP) will support the implementation of multilevel climate action under CHAMP. Globally, CHIP will contribute to the global CHAMP ecosystem and link GIZ implementation experience with CHAMP workstreams, knowledge products and partner processes. In its country component, CHIP aims to strengthen country-level implementation in two selected CHAMP-endorsing countries: Ethiopia and the Philippines. In Ethiopia, CHIP will focus on enhancing frameworks for subnational climate action and finance.

Main Role

The Policy Advisor within the Ethiopian component of CHIP plays a multifaceted role in advancing subnational climate finance and strengthening multi-level climate action. The advisor will act as the primary working-level point of contact within GIZ for the implementation of CHAMP in Ethiopia. The position will deliver strategic advice to the national government on subnational climate finance, stakeholder engagement, multi-level NDC implementation as well as knowledge and peer-learning offers and project management.

Tasks:

In this role, the policy advisor will

• provide strategic advice and technical support to the national government and the CHAMP Focal Point to strengthen effective multilevel governance structures (both at the national level with other relevant government bodies and with subnational actors) and to improve frameworks for subnational climate action and finance in jointly selected areas.
• support and advise the Government in systematically involving subnational actors in the implementation of the NDC and NAP in climate-relevant sectors.
• convene and facilitate policy dialogues, peer exchanges and roundtables with relevant representatives for national and subnational government bodies, DFIs, development partners and cities to align pipelines and support for subnational climate action.
• coordinate an assessment of enabling framework conditions for urban climate finance in Ethiopia, covering climate policy, budget & finance (incl. climate budget tagging), climate data/MRV, vertical and horizontal coordination and potentially the subnational potential of Article 6 mechanisms for urban-relevant mitigation.
• work with partners to explore a climate and/or subnational dimension within Ethiopia’s Integrated Sustainable Financing Framework (EISFF) Country Platform and assess options for anchoring multi-level aspects in a national funding or support mechanism like the National Urban Development and Infrastructure Fund
• contribute to the development of joint or complementary knowledge products, reports, implementation briefs, tools, peer-learning events or stakeholder engagement formats that showcase Ethiopia’s journey regarding subnational climate finance and multilevel partnerships
• act as the primary working-level point of contact within GIZ for the implementation of CHAMP in Ethiopia and ensure the planning and monitoring of the CHIP country component based on the strategic and operational priorities of the Ethiopian partners and in close coordination with the CHIP global team.
• take on further tasks on CHAMP implementation in Ethiopia and globally, as required

Required:

• University degree in economics, finance, environmental or climate science, urban planning, or a comparable field relevant to the tasks
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience, with demonstrated technical knowledge in both:
• climate finance and subnational finance; and
• subnational climate action, multilevel governance, NDC implementation and/or urban climate sectors.
• Strong understanding of Ethiopia’s political administrative system in general, climate governance landscape and public finance context
• Excellent coordination and partner-engagement skills at the interface between different organisations and government levels, with the ability to build trust-based relationships and work independently.
• Strong strategic, policy analysis and advisory skills, with demonstrated experience in developing knowledge products and policy briefs adapted to specific audiences
• Experience developing and delivering presentations and facilitating sessions (panels, roundtables, working groups).
• Ability to track work plans and develop key deliverables according to an agreed timeline; proactive, highly organized and manages time efficiently.
• Solid knowledge of IT tools (especially Microsoft Office programs: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, etc.)
• Excellent written and spoken English and Amharic.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the CHAMP context or comparable climate and multilevel governance initiatives
• Technical knowledge of urban climate project preparation and financing instruments (grant/blended finance, national/regional climate funds, climate budget tagging) and familiarity with Article 6 carbon market mechanisms and its potential for urban applications.
• Experience with country platform design or finance coordination mechanisms (e.g. ISFF-type platforms, climate funds)