Principal Expert - Lead Climate Negotiator at Palladium Group

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Principal Expert - Lead Climate Negotiator

Job Requisition ID: req24613
Location: Abuja
Employment type: Long term expert
Compensation type: Output basis

About UK PACT

• The UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) programme aims to strengthen the effectiveness of key institutions, public, private, and civil society in partner countries to accelerate emission reductions and raise the ambition of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• Through its focus on NDCs, UK PACT supports global efforts to review commitments and enhance climate ambition.

Background

• Nigeria is at a pivotal juncture in its climate diplomacy and governance journey. As Africa’s largest economy and its fourth-largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter, Nigeria faces the dual challenge of accelerating low-carbon development pathways while navigating increasing climate risks.
• Despite its strategic position and growing climate ambition (including a commitment to net-zero emissions by 2060 and updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) targeting a 29% and 32% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 and 2035, respectively), Nigeria has faced challenges in consistently asserting its influence and maintaining a sustained presence in global climate negotiations - particularly within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the African Group of Negotiators (AGN).
• These constraints have limited Nigeria’s ability to fully influence global outcomes, access climate finance, and assert leadership on issues critical to its national development and resilience. 
• To address this, the Nigeria-UK PACT launched the Climate Policy and Governance (CPG) Project 1 to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity in global climate negotiations. However, gaps remain in short-term expertise and strategic representation.
• In response, the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) has requested an embedded climate negotiator to serve as Lead Negotiator, providing technical support, mentoring, and institutional strengthening.
• This 1–2-year deployment will complement CPG Project 1 by strengthening near-term performance and supporting the development of a sustainable pipeline of skilled negotiators, while maintaining close coordination with UK PACT for alignment.
• Location: The position is based in Nigeria.

Reporting and supervision:

• The Expert will report directly to the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) or a designated focal point.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Representation:

• Provide technical leadership and support to Nigeria’s delegation at major international climate events (COPs, Subsidiary Bodies (SBs), AGN coordination meetings).
• Represent Nigeria’s priorities in high-level bilateral and multilateral meetings, ensuring alignment with AGN and strategic partners.
• Facilitate coordination between NCCC, Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv), UK PACT, diplomatic missions, and other stakeholders on climate diplomacy matters.

Strategy Development & Positioning:

• Develop and refine Nigeria’s national negotiation strategy and thematic positions for UNFCCC processes, aligned with national priorities and regional interests.
• Coordinate with AGN and other regional blocs to integrate and amplify Nigeria’s positions.
• Support mainstreaming of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in negotiation priorities and team composition.

Policy & Technical Support:

• Provide rapid-response technical analysis during negotiations and manage official communication with the UNFCCC Secretariat and other parties.
• Draft high-quality briefing notes, talking points, position papers, and internal guidance for senior officials.
• Offer policy advice and technical inputs to the DG NCCC and focal persons on emerging negotiation developments and linkages to domestic policy.

Capacity Building & Mentorship:

• Mentor junior negotiators and NCCC staff through hands-on engagement during COPs, SBs, and AGN meetings.
• Co-deliver tailored negotiation training sessions with the CPG Project 1 team, including advisory input on training materials, technical simulations, and thematic briefings.
• Support development of toolkits, resource guides, templates, and SOPs for negotiation preparation, coordination, and reporting.

Institutional Strengthening:

• Contribute to establishing a Negotiation Coordination Unit or similar mechanism within NCCC, ensuring alignment with CPG Project 1’s institutional roadmap.
• Participate in strategic coordination meetings and technical working groups led by NCCC or other MDAs.
• Conduct stakeholder mapping to identify key actors across government involved in climate negotiations, disaggregated by thematic areas and capacities.

Programme Alignment & Coordination:

• Maintain strategic coordination with CPG Project 1, including participation in its Steering Committee for alignment and shared oversight.
• Participate in joint planning and review sessions to ensure coherence in capacity-building efforts.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) processes for both the deployment and UK PACT project.

Cross-Government Engagement:

• Support inter-ministerial coordination for Nigeria’s participation in UNFCCC processes, including side event planning and delegation briefing.
• Collaborate with diplomatic missions to enhance coherence between negotiation positions and foreign policy engagement.

Required Qualifications
Academic Competencies:

• Postgraduate Degree (Master’s or PhD) in Climate Policy, International Relations, Environmental Law, Political Science, Development Studies, or related fields.
• Additional training or certification in international climate diplomacy, negotiation, or public policy is desirable.

General Experience:

• Senior Level of experience in international climate negotiations, climate policy, or multilateral diplomacy.
• Demonstrated experience as a lead negotiator or senior advisor to a national delegation in UNFCCC processes (COPs, SBs, AGN).
• Deep understanding of UNFCCC negotiation architecture, thematic tracks (mitigation, adaptation, finance, Article 6), and coalition dynamics (AGN, G77+China, LMDCs).
• Proven experience advising high-level government officials and representing national or regional interests in multilateral settings.

Specific Experience:

• Has a track record in drafting or coordinating national negotiation strategies, technical position papers, and intervention scripts.
• Experience mentoring junior negotiators and building institutional capacity in government or intergovernmental contexts.
• Familiarity with African Group of Negotiators (AGN) coordination mechanisms.
• Ability to navigate political and institutional dynamics in multistakeholder settings.

Skills:

• Strategic thinking and high-level political judgment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for technical and political audiences.
• Diplomatic tact and ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes negotiations.
• Cross-cultural communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Ability to distill complex technical and legal content into policy-relevant insights.

Safeguarding:

• Palladium is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults, and expects all staff and partners to share this commitment.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

• Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.