Result of Service

Output 1. Comprehensive overview of the current situation in Panama with respect to climate action, focusing on the financial and economic information management systems that are currently in place. The strengths and weaknesses of these systems will be analyzed and any barriers that exist to the integration of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Environment in climate action efforts will be identified. Product No. 1. One inception report detailing the proposed approaches with a specific work plan to achieve the detailed deliverables. The document should encompass the following: • Identify and map all relevant stakeholders involved in the processes of financial and economic management of climate action (inside both the Ministry of Economy and Finances and the Ministry of Environment) inherent to climate action in Panama. • Identify the project’s scope including the key action points, defined by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Environment. Conduct a needs assessment to gather information on both the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s and the Ministry of Environment’s requirements, goals, and expectations for the project. This information should be collected through at least five (5) meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Environment, and other institutions to discuss decision-making on climate change. • Develop a work plan with the proposed approach in mind. The plan should also identify any potential risks for the project and possible mitigation strategies to overcome them. Before submitting the report, it may need to be revised based on feedback both the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Environment. Product No. 2. Two documents that assess policy and regulatory frameworks in Panama to enable a regulatory environment for inclusive green finance and climate action. The documents will provide recommendations on how to improve the regulatory environment to support sustainable finance initiatives in the country. • The first document will focus on the current policy and regulatory frameworks related to green finance and climate action in Panama, focusing on the Operating Budget, requiring the consultant to work closely with the Budget Directorate of the Nation and the National Accounting Directorate. It will also provide an overview of existing policies, regulations, and institutional arrangements, and evaluate their effectiveness in promoting sustainable finance initiatives, this includes the analysis of the Guidelines of the Manual of Budgetary Classifications of Public Expenditure in Panama. The document will also identify any gaps or weaknesses in the current regulatory framework and provide recommendations on how to address them. • The second document will focus on best practices and case studies from other countries that have successfully implemented inclusive green finance and climate action policies and regulations. It will identify the key success factors and lessons learned from these experiences and provide recommendations on how these best practices can be adapted and applied in the Panamanian context. Product No. 3. One report that outlines the methodologies, protocols, and procedures for public sector climate investment planning and decision-making already present in the country. The report will provide a comprehensive overview of the key steps involved in climate investment planning and decision-making, including data collection and analysis, risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, and project implementation. It should also identify the barriers that affect the articulation of private sector participation in the climate investment process including the key challenges in engagement with mitigation and adaptation measures, regulatory barriers, financing challenges, institutional constraints and the future challenges to be faced by the actors managing public policy on climate change. The consultant will also present the opportunities to enable private sector participation in climate investment planning and decision-making. In order to present these findings in the report, the consultant also has to take into account the synergies with the Readiness project for Aligning financial flows of the Panamanian financial sector with the Paris agreement climate change goals. Specific tasks and responsibilities: • Meet with relevant stakeholders to understand the current context on decision-making on climate change in Panama. • Identify barriers and opportunities to enable private sector participation. • Provide recommendations for support actions and synergies with existing support programs at national and regional levels.

Work Location

Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Economy and Finance located in Panama City, Panama.

Expected duration

5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). Throughout UNEP’s work, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change marks a turning point to an emerging climate regime that brings all the states and actors together to a new global platform to address the growing risks to our planet. The climate crisis continues to affect the planet and threatens to become irreversible, impacting the territories and populations of Panama and the rest of the world. To comply with the Paris Agreement, Panama has developed a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and a Long-Term Climate Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change. Due to climate change, Panama faces deforestation, coastal erosion, and water scarcity challenges. These challenges have consequences for biodiversity, tourism, and infrastructure. However, Panama is one of the few countries in the world that has achieved carbon negativity, meaning it absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits. This achievement is thanks to the country’s extensive forest coverage covering over 50% of its land area. The country has implemented various policies and initiatives to promote forest conservation and sustainable land use practices, such as creating protected areas and reforestation programs. The government of Panama has recognized the importance of combating climate change and aligning its financial flows with the Paris Agreement goals. Likewise, the government has also introduced policies to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, and reduce emissions from the industrial sector. Additionally, the country’s priority is to align the financial sector’s investments with climate goals and establishing a framework for measuring, reporting, and verifying climate finance. Thus, coordination between the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) is necessary to implement Panama’s NDC and LTS. This consultancy aims to report on methodologies, protocols and procedures to ensure the timely management of financial and economic information that guides decision-making on climate change. The goal is to ensure that these projects contribute to Panama’s NDC and LTS, promote sustainable development, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. With this in mind, UNEP and the government of Panama have designed a project for the Partnership Action Fund (PAF), funded by the NDC Partnership (Nationally Determined Contributions Partnership). The fund supports NDC enhancement and implementation by reinforcing technical expertise and capacities to address gaps in developing country members. The PAF will complement the NDC Partnership’s implementing and development partners’ existing support offerings to catalyze further climate action. Among other things, this project will support the implementation of the country’s NDCs for their transparency and legitimacy. In this sense, UNEP LACO is recruiting a technical consultant on regulatory frameworks for financial and economic information on climate action in Panama to strengthen their NDCs and Transparency goals. The incumbent will be supervised by UNEP’s Energy & Efficiency Programme Management Officer of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean Office and will work either at the offices of the Ministry of Economy and Finance or at the offices of the Ministry of Environment of Panama located in Panama City, Panama with a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week.

Qualifications/special skills

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: • Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, data science, engineering, finance, economics, water/disaster/climate change policy; political science or closely related field (required). • Master’s degree in environmental science, data science, engineering, economics, water/disaster/climate change management; or closely related fields (desirable). WORK EXPERIENCE: • Minimum 3 years of experience in climate finance, private sector climate involvement, climate change, policy implementation and/or governance & institutional arrangements. (required) • In-depth and proven knowledge and experience in the implementation of development initiatives, policies and programmes related to climate change. (desirable) • Demonstrated experience in the preparation of policy and strategy reports for national governments and the technical review of national reports and relevant international documents. (desirable) • Proven experience in organizing workshops and interviews with senior figures in ministries and state institutions in the country. (desirable) • Working experience within the Latin American region in general and Panama in particular is an asset. (desirable)

Languages

• Fluency in Spanish (required). • Fluency in English (desirable).

Additional Information

SKILLS: PROFESSIONALISM • Experience in the design, preparation and execution of proposals related to climate change or for the exercise of indigenous rights, according to international standards. • Management of the gender, intercultural and human rights approach of indigenous peoples. • Management of Office tools and digital platforms. • Excellent writing and teamwork skills. • Proactive capacity, responsibility and commitment. • Excellent understanding of national climate change commitments. • Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change, indigenous peoples and adaptation planning. • Ability to identify, analyze 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. • is willing to learn from others; supports and acts following final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. • shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: • Develop clear goals 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. • Uses time efficiently.

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.