Result of Service

The technical advisor in climate change and project development is responsible for supporting the achievement of the results of the NDC Action project, the NDC Act & Invest new initiative, and the GCF Readiness for Carbon Markets project. which is the ultimate result of his/her services. This will include supporting the implementation of PAF projects in the LAC Region through regular update reports on overall planning, organization, and implementation of the current projects, with close cooperation with the corresponding national technical institution. The technical advisor support will promote climate transparency in Latin American and Caribbean countries through the following activities: a. Ensure day-to-day the implementation of PAF projects in the LAC Region through regular update reports on overall planning, organization, and implementation of the current projects, with close cooperation with the UNEP team, the corresponding national technical institution and the NDC Partnership. b. Work closely with the national technical institutions (NTIs) to ensure project outcomes, outputs and activities are performed according to commitments made with the donor. Elaborate and coordinate with them, the TORs for consultants and assist in the selection processes according to the work plan. c. Support the finishing NDC Action project and the implementation of NDC Act & Invest new initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean. d. Collaborate with the formulation of project proposals for Euroclima+, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the ‘NDC Partnership,’ the IKI Fund or others, to support countries in the development of capacities related to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and Long-Term Strategies (LTS) implementation, climate financing, information systems, data management, innovative digital solutions, market-based instruments, and transparency. e. Generate peer-to-peer exchanges and cooperation activities, including the preparation and launching of virtual, or in-person workshops aimed at strengthening capacities related to the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and other national climate change goal and commitments. f. Enhance the engagement of stakeholders with the project, including regional governments, local environmental, authorities, including but not limited to: GIZ IKI Interfaz Project, The IKI Regional LEDS Support Project, LTS Expertise France Project, and the UNDP LEDS Programme. g. Upon request and on an ad-hoc basis, support any other complementary tasks required for the successful project implementation at national and regional levels. h. Coordinate the day-to-day oversight of the GCF Readiness for Carbon Markets project execution in relation to activities for Panama, through close collaboration with the National Designated Authority (NDA) of Panama and the Team Leader to maintain a fluid conversation, leading to high-quality deliverables being developed based on the country’s priorities. As well as to provide technical inputs and timely revision to the deliverables specifically tailored for Panama, ensuring a high-quality implementation of the activities designed for Panama. i. Support the organization and delivery of national and regional workshops under the GCF Readiness project, fostering the active participation of Panama’s NDA and ensuring that the content and outcomes align with the country’s priorities.

Work Location

Home based

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

In 2015, the world endorsed the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These historic accords presented countries with an unprecedented opportunity to align climate plans and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to spur economic growth and improve the livelihoods of all people. To signal their commitments to the Paris Agreement, nations submit their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)— each country’s strategy to cut its greenhouse gas emissions and build resiliency against the adverse effects of a changing climate — on a cycle every five years. Launched in 2016 at COP22 in Marrakesh, the NDC Partnership was founded on the idea that technical assistance, expertise, and financing for climate action were not being deployed in a practical or coordinated way to maximize efforts toward achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and the SDGs and that more excellent support was urgently needed. In response, the NDC Partnership was established to facilitate collaboration between country governments, international institutions, non-state actors, and other partners to provide timely support for accelerated climate action. While the Partnership’s model of collective action catalyses immediate support, there are instances when countries’ requests for climate action go unanswered. The need for a flexible and fast mechanism to deploy support is evident. To meet this need, the NDC Partnership launched the Partnership Action Fund (PAF) at COP26. PAF supports developing Country Members in fast-tracking the implementation of their NDCs by bridging gaps in support. The resources are deployed to supplement existing support or respond to unsupported requests only once members have responded with their resources and programs. By pooling funds and making them more readily available, the PAF ensures countries have better access to technical and financial resources and the widest possible range of Partnership members can respond rapidly to the needs of developing Country Members. Furthermore, in 2018, The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) signed an agreement with UNEP to support critical environmental issues such as climate action, resilience to disasters and conflicts, healthy ecosystems, waste and air quality, and sustainable consumption and production. In this sense, as part of the support provided through SIDA cooperation, the development and implementation of National Determined Contributions (NDC) and Long-Term Strategies (LTS) has been identified as one of the major work areas in the following years. Based on the above, the purpose of this consultancy is to support the Climate Change Unit in delivering the mission of the NDC partnership through the PAF projects, where UNEP was recently selected as the delivery partner of a PAF request, as well as to provide technical support to the Latin American and Caribbean countries in developing capacities to incorporate climate change into public and private national agendas to increase their ambition and resilience, in line with the Paris Agreement (PA) and the Long-Term Strategies (LTS). On the other hand, the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement calls for substantial and immediate progress in national Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems, as well as strategic decarbonization and adaptation planning. This implies moving from often disintegrated and different methodological approaches in data management to an integrated and robust system. The success of the Paris Agreement depends on greater transparency of actions and support, as a fundamental basis for making its country-led bottom-up approach work, as well as mutual trust between Parties. In this line, the Latin American and the Caribbean Office, through the Climate Ambition and Transparency Team (CA&T) is implementing, together with eight (8) countries in the region, a Regional Readiness Project funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) “Capacity Building in Carbon Markets and Article 6”. This proposal seeks to: i) collectively improve general awareness of the scope and operation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and El Salvador through a regional approach and, ii) support relevant stakeholders in these participating countries to meet the institutional, technical and operational requirements to establish or participate in new or existing carbon markets. This will not only support participating countries to meet the targets set out in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) but will also enable national governments to increase their ambition, transparency and cooperation among parties in their commitments under the Paris Agreement. The team is looking for a carbon market expert to support the implementation of this project in Panama. In this sense, UNEP’s Climate Change Division is recruiting a technical consultant on climate change and project development to mainstream these topics in the unit’s work, projects, and initiatives, assist in the implementation of the NDC Partnership, support the implementation of PAF projects in the region and the GCF Readiness for Carbon Markets in Panama. The incumbent will be supervised by the NDC Action Global Coordinator and will work home-based. The consultant is expected to have relevant knowledge about climate change processes, carbon markets, projects, or public policy and experience with multilateral climate funds so that he or she can support the Transparency and Climate Ambition team to offer advice to the relevant national authorities and can fully lead the development of the expected deliverables.

Qualifications/special skills

ACADEMIC • Master’s degree in environmental sciences, engineering, political sciences, natural sciences, or areas related to climate change is required. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE • At least five (5) years of experience in environment and/or climate change is required. • At least two (2) years of specific work experience in supporting the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and/or the development of carbon markets in the LAC region is required. • Experience in the development and/or implementation of climate change projects with relation to national governments in the LAC region is desirable. • Experience working with agencies of the United Nations System and/or the NDC Partnership in the implementation of Partnership Action Fund (PAF) projects is desirable. LANGUAGE • Fluency in Spanish (required). • Fluency in English (required). SPECIAL SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE: PROFESSIONALISM • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability. • Excellent understanding of global and national climate change commitments. • Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, and approaches relevant to climate change mitigation and adaptation planning. • Ability to identify, analyse, and participate in resolving issues/problems. • Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work, and manage conflicting priorities. • Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. • Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. • Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. • Shows persistence when faced with complex problems or challenges. • Remains calm in stressful situations. TEAMWORK • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. • Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise. • Willing to learn from others and supports final group decisions, even when they may not entirely reflect own position. • Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING • Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. • Identifies priority activities and assignments. • Adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate time and resources for completing work. • Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. • Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.

Languages

Not available.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.