Portfolio Specialist
Hosted Entity: Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR). Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland. Contract Type: ICA - IICA - Regular, Contract Level IICA 2, ICS 10, Mid Level. Duration: One year, with the possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
The GFCR Secretariat leads Fund-level global coordination and strategy implementation, guiding the day-to-day work of the GFCR and the wider UN Global Team, organized across four workstreams: Strategy and Engagement; Portfolio Management, Impact Measurement and Leverage; Governance and Operations; and Knowledge Management and Learning. UNOPS provides administrative and operational services to the GFCR Secretariat, including procurement, project management, human resources and financial management.
Role Purpose: As part of the GFCR Secretariat, the Portfolio Specialist provides technical, analytical, and portfolio management support to advance the development, oversight, and performance of the GFCR programme portfolio. The position supports programme proposal review, portfolio monitoring, impact measurement, partnership development, internal advisory services, and knowledge management across GFCR's reef-positive programming. The Specialist serves as a key technical focal point, strengthening programme quality, guiding portfolio monitoring tools, and contributing to evidence-based decision-making.
Key Results Expected:
- Conduct technical reviews and scoring evaluations of concept notes and programme proposals; ensure compliance with relevant policies and standards, including Social and Environmental Safeguards and Gender policies.
- Develop and apply monitoring frameworks covering portfolio performance, ESG compliance, and environmental and social impact; guide development of portfolio monitoring tools; produce progress reports, investment updates and lessons learned; advise on integrating investment learnings into adaptive programme management.
- Lead assigned programmatic partnerships or initiatives; provide technical advice to investment and implementing partners.
- Provide advisory services and facilitate knowledge building: identify policy-driven issues, synthesize best practices and lessons learned, strengthen national and international advocacy networks, and contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Education: Master's degree or equivalent in Environmental Sciences, Development Studies, International Relations, Programme or Project Management, or Economics. A Bachelor's degree in these areas with 2 additional years of relevant experience is accepted in lieu of a Master's.
Experience: Minimum 5 years (with Master's) or 7 years (with Bachelor's) of relevant work experience in project management, preferably in blue economy, climate, environment or development sectors; experience in portfolio management and coordination including monitoring and quality assurance; track record managing donor-funded projects, especially with UN agencies. Desired: multi-sectoral programme design and implementation; engagement with private sector, development partners and government stakeholders in developing country contexts; blended finance / sustainable finance mechanisms; donor reporting and partner relationship management; evaluations, impact assessments or learning reviews in climate, environment or blue economy sectors.
Language: Fluency in English required.
Skills: Portfolio Management, Program Management, Project Management, Quality Assurance, Reporting & Analysis, Stakeholder Engagement.
Closing date: 30-Aug-2026
HOW TO APPLY:
Apply online via the UNOPS Careers Marketplace at https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/Login?jobId=4056. Applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on 30-Aug-2026. UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes and will at no stage request payments of any kind. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/Portfolio-Specialist/4056