Result of Service

The purpose of this consultancy is to participate in the implementation of GCF Readiness project “Capacity Building in Carbon Markets and Article 6” (LAC-RS-019) in Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and El Salvador and the “Advancing a Regional Approach to the Green Hydrogen Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean” (LAC-RS-018) for B countries (Bolivia, Chile, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay). The consultant is expected to provide technical information related to the progress of project implementation and budget expenditure, including the analysis of procurement and hiring processes. Conduct the policy development, including reviewing and analyzing issues and trends on hydrogen economy development, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies to the related work areas. Specifically, the consultant will coordinate the GCF Readiness implementation in Bolivia, Chile, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay. Contribute to the implementation of H2LAC (Platform for the Development of Green Hydrogen in Latin America and the Caribbean) capacity building and knowledge platform through research on green hydrogen, organization and delivery of online and face-to-face training activities. Collect relevant information on hydrogen and sustainable energy innovations, financing and policy and transform it into recommendations for countries, cities and decision-makers in Latin America and the Caribbean. Outputs and Deliverables Output 1. Stakeholder engagement mechanisms are established to support the planning, programming and implementation of GCF-funded activities. Output 2. National and regional technical capacities, knowledge and governance are strengthened for green hydrogen. Output 3. South-south cooperation is enhanced by strengthening the regional hydrogen capacity-building platform. Output 4. The planning and execution of the GCF Readiness projects are successful, with all project goals committed to the GCF being achieved, while adhering to the stringent quality standards set by UNEP. Deliverables: • Product No. 1. One report on the benefits and drawbacks of using green hydrogen as an energy carrier to support the decarbonization of the economy, including its potential environmental impacts. • Product No. 2. One report on the regional workshop organized by the LAC-RS-018 project, including summary, highlights, lessons learned and commitments among participating countries. • Product No. 3. One report about the status of the national interinstitutional working groups in the seven participating countries of the LAC-RS-018 project, including recommendations and future work towards their establishment. • Product No. 4. One report with the results of the concept note and coordination of a virtual regional webinar about the synergies between the market-based instruments available in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the development of renewable energy and green hydrogen projects in Latin America and Caribbean countries. • Product No. 5. One report with the results of the collaboration with H2LAC in the framework of the LAC-RS-018 project, in terms of documents provided, number of downloads, and people trained in the events organized with this organization. • Product No. 6. One monitoring report of LAC-RS-018 and LAC-RS-019 projects, including activities developed, milestones, and challenges faced during the reporting period of implementation. • Product No. 7. Four financial reports, one per quarter, on the budget execution and commitments for the LAC-RS-018 and LAC-RS-019 projects, including a description of the procurement and the recruitment carried out during the evaluation period. Specific tasks and responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the UNEP’s Programme Management Officer for Energy Efficiency of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean Office, the consultant shall perform the following activities: ● Provide technical assessment on the benefits and drawbacks of using green hydrogen as an energy carrier to support the decarbonization of the economy, including its potential environmental impacts, to promote technical dialogue within UNEP. ● Collaborate closely with the project managers of the two GCF projects in conducting efficient and transparent bidding and contracting processes for hiring consultants, organizing workshops, and arranging necessary trips. ● Analyze the status of the national interinstitutional working groups in the seven participating countries of the LAC-RS-018 project and provide technical advice on their establishment and/or strengthening. ● Collaborate with the project manager of the LAC-RS-018 project in the coordination with the regional hydrogen capacity-building platform, H2LAC, to enhance south-south cooperation. ● Provide technical and financial information related to the progress of project implementation and budget expenditure, including the analysis of procurement and hiring processes, for the two GCF projects. ● Provide technical expertise in the revision of technical deliverables developed in the two GCF projects. ● Provide guidance in the preparation of meetings of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) in the two GCF projects. ● Prepare the necessary technical and financial information for the progress reports that are required by the GCF, UNEP, and relevant stakeholders. ● Prepare the necessary technical and financial information if modifications to the implementation plan and budget approved by the GCF are needed.

Work Location

HOME BASED

Expected duration

12 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. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, 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). One of the most relevant challenges the implementation of the Paris Agreement poses to countries is to count with strong Transparency Frameworks. Article 13 of the Paris Agreement establishes the need of Parties to implement national robust and transparent monitoring, reporting, verification and accounting systems to give clarity on action and support while providing clear information to stakeholders to be available to assess if the necessary is being done in relation to compliance with the commitments assumed to face climate change. As part of building and enhancing their Transparency Frameworks, Parties of the United Nations Frame Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -will progressively implement better tools and institutional arrangements, many of them not sufficiently developed in the countries. This is especially true for developing countries. The UNFCCC enhanced transparency framework demands substantial and immediate progress in the countries´ domestic Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems and strategic de-carbonization and adaptation planning. This entails moving from often disintegrated and often different methodological approaches in data management to an integrated and robust system. The success of the Paris Agreement hinges on enhanced transparency of action and support, as a critical foundation to making its bottom-up country-led approach work, as well as mutual trust and confidence amongst Parties. In this line, the UNEP Transparency and Climate Ambition Team has developed, together with eight (8) countries of the region, a Regional Readiness Proposal “Capacity Building in Carbon Markets and Article 6”. This proposal seeks to collectively improve: i) the overall knowledge of the scope and functioning 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 the relevant stakeholders from these participating countries to comply with the institutional, technical and operational requirements to establish or participate in new or existing carbon markets. This will not only support the participating countries to comply with the goals established in their NDCs but also allow the national governments to increase their ambition, transparency and cooperation among parties in their commitments under the Paris Agreement. The green hydrogen generation technical potential in Latin America and the Caribbean is significant, estimated at 1,114 EJ of green hydrogen produced at a cost under USD 1.5/kg by 2050. Therefore, green hydrogen can be produced using the clean and renewable energy sources available in the region. Beyond the potential for its production, using hydrogen as an energy source can also result in a myriad of benefits for the region. The transport sector is the highest consumer of fossil fuels and the leading source of fossil-fuel-related GHG emissions (15% of all regional GHG emissions in 2018). Diesel and gasoline are the main fuels used in transport, accounting for 83% of the total energy use. Hydrogen can be used for all transportation electrification, fuel cell electric cars, trucks, buses, forklifts, ferries and ships, and aircraft. Globally, some 8,000 fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) were sold in 2020. The project, “Advancing a Regional Approach to the Green Hydrogen Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean ” aims to create the right conditions to promote the hydrogen economy through the exchange of experiences at a regional level, ending with the preparation of i) national strategic planning and ii) funding proposals that could be submitted to the GCF and other international financial sources. This project is being implemented in 7 countries in parallel. Therefore, the Climate Change Unit is looking for a GCF projects specialist consultant for the following projects “Advancing a Regional Approach to the Green Hydrogen Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean” (LAC-RS-018) and “Capacity Building in Carbon Markets and Article 6” (LAC-RS-019). The incumbent is expected to work from home. He or she will be supervised by UNEP’s Programme Management Officer for Energy Efficiency of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean Office.

Qualifications/special skills

ACADEMIC: ● Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, engineering, economics, finance, administration, political science, international relations, or related fields is required. ● Master’s degree in engineering, public policy, economics, energy systems, natural resources management, or related fields is required. PROFESSIONAL: ● At least five (5) years of experience in climate change projects, engineering, environmental sciences, environmental economics, energy, sustainable finance, climate policy, economic research, or related fields is required. ● Three (3) years of specific work experience in climate change project development and implementation in developing countries or multilateral organizations is desirable. ● A proven track record working with energy, transport and/or electric mobility in Latin America and the Caribbean is desirable. ● Knowledge and/or experience in hydrogen is desirable. ● Experience in the public sector experience is desirable. ● Experience working with GCF projects is desirable. ● Knowledge in carbon markets is desirable. LANGUAGE: ● Fluent in Spanish (required). ● Fluent in English (required). COMPETENCIES: PROFESSIONALISM: ● Excellent understanding of global and national climate change issues. ● Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change mitigation and adaptation planning, and intergovernmental climate change negotiations. ● Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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 difficult 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 in accordance with 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: ● Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of 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.

Languages

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Additional Information

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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.