The Santiago network was established in December 2019 at COP25, as part of the Warsaw International Mechanism, for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, to catalyze the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of suitable relevant approaches at the local, national and regional level, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. (decision 2/CMA.2, para 43, noted by 2/CP.25).

The Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention and the Paris Agreement subsequently decided on the functions of the Santiago network at COP26 and on the institutional arrangements to enable its full operationalization. Parties agreed the structure would comprise:

A hosted Secretariat that will facilitate its work, to be known as the Santiago network Secretariat;
An Advisory Board, to provide guidance and oversight to the Santiago network Secretariat on the effective implementation of the functions of the network; and
A network of organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs) covering a wide range of topics relevant to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage.

At COP28 in 2023, Parties selected the consortium of UNOPS and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) as co-hosts of the Santiago network Secretariat for an initial term of five years, with five-year renewal periods.

While UNOPS provides the necessary administrative and operational support for the effective functioning of the Secretariat, UNDRR provides the Secretariat with technical backstopping and expertise in the domain of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage consistent with the guidelines for preventing potential and addressing actual and perceived conflicts of interest in relation to the Santiago network.

Relevant COP/CMA decisions on the Santiago network can be consulted here . Documents and reports from meetings of the Santiago network Advisory Board are available here .

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Country Engagement Specialist and Regional Coordinator for Eastern Europe, Santiago network

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director, and in close coordination with the Senior Programme Manager and the OBNE Engagement Specialist, the Country Engagement Specialist and Regional Coordinator for Eastern Europe is responsible for managing the central operations of the technical assistance request process, supporting the coordination of global and regional operations, and driving the provision of catalyzed technical assistance in Eastern Europe, ensuring effective and timely delivery. This includes establishing and executing processes for the implementation of the steps of the technical assistance request workflow, working closely with Regional Coordinators, Desk Officers and designated contact points; and leading the technical assistance work of the Santiago network Secretariat in Eastern Europe. The role will collaborate with the OBNE and Member Engagement Specialist in the planning, implementing, and reporting on membership activities in Eastern Europe. This role requires strong coordination, communication, and technical skills relevant to the delivery of the role's functions.

Functional Responsibilities

Setting up processes and systems Catalyzing technical assistance/Manag...