Technical consultant for carbon markets and NbS

at  United Nations

Result of Service
The Technical Consultant will support the Climate Ambition and Transparency Team to achieve the main goals: Collectively improve the overall knowledge of the scope and functioning of carbon markets and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, challenges and key opportunities related to the implementation of these mechanisms in the LAC region. Work closely with the relevant stakeholders from the LAC Region to comply with the institutional, technical, and operational requirements to establish or participate in new or existing carbon markets. Promote exchange between south-south peers to share lessons learned, experiences, best practices, opportunities and challenges on carbon market mechanisms in the region. Outputs: Output 1. Technical inputs for the participating countries in the GCF Readiness Project are provided for the development of regulatory and procedural frameworks to implement carbon markets and enable ITMOs transfers under the Article 6 of the Paris agreement. Output 2. National and regional technical capacities, knowledge and governance are strengthened for carbon markets, including the institutional arrangements and potential stakeholders’ identification to participate in the development of carbon projects. Output 3. South-south cooperation is enhanced by strengthening the regional knowledge regarding integrity of GHG mitigation projects intended to be accredited through specific mechanisms aiming to exchange mitigation outcomes. Output 4. Knowledge sharing, capacity building, and informed decision-making is promoted in the pursuit of sustainable development goals related to climate change mitigation and environmental integrity in Latin America and the Caribbean. Deliverables: Product No. 1. A report on the results of the prioritized sectors assessment in Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and El Salvador with high potential to play a crucial role as emissions reductions promoters in line with the NDCs commitments. Such report must include observations of the current status of the prioritized sectors in the participating countries, regarding potential challenges and strategies to advance Article 6 implementation. Product No. 2. A report on recommendations for adoption in each country of the baseline calculations, emissions projections, and carbon budgets guidelines, previously elaborated by the consultancy firms. An analysis from a technical perspective about the development of the procedures that countries must follow in order to achieve mitigation transfers according to the guidelines of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the national context must be included in the report. Product No. 3. A document containing an analysis with a description of the current capacities from the responsible entities for the adoption of the framework that countries in the region will use to address all the requirements for transferring ITMOs aligned with the international cooperation and mitigation goals. A descriptive report on the progress of technical and capacity building tasks related to corresponding adjustments, the regulatory requirements, and methodological guidance that will be developed for participating countries. Product No. 4. A report of the barriers identified for the private sector related to the implementation of projects under Article 6, including key topics in common between countries of the project and recommendations to tackle them. Specific tasks and responsibilities Responsibilities and Activities Under the direct supervision of 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: Work closely with the Technical Coordinator in Climate Change and Carbon Markets and the Projects Specialist in the bidding and contracting processes required for hiring consulting firms, country leaders, and international senior consultants for the implementation of the project. Contribute with the project team for the Regional Readiness in Carbon Markets and Article 6 project, ensuring the meeting strategic deadlines for overall project implementation. Work closely with the Technical Coordinator in Climate Change and Carbon Markets and the Projects Specialist in effectively managing technical, financial, and project team resources for the successful implementation of the Regional Readiness in Carbon Markets and Article 6 project. Develop comprehensive plans and guidelines for monitoring, follow-up, and evaluation of project implementation at the regional level, ensuring that project activities are on track and aligned with the project’s objectives. Ensure the efficient implementation of activities and ensure monitoring of the Project’s progress and compliance with indicators and objectives. Conduct thorough reviews of deliverables from the Regional Readiness in Carbon Markets and Article 6 project, ensuring compliance with quality standards, timeliness, and cost requirements, and provide technical inputs. Collaborate with the Projects Specialist to Support the Implementation of the Regional Readiness in Carbon Markets and Article 6 project and the Technical Coordinator in Climate Change and Carbon Markets in the preparation of reports, products, and invoices, ensuring they meet the required standards set by UNEP for timely and accurate payment.
Work Location

10 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). One of the most relevant challenges posed to countries by the implementation of the Paris Agreement is the importance of ensuring strong Transparency Frameworks. Article 13 of the Paris Agreement establishes the need for 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 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. Therefore, the Climate Ambition and Transparency Team (CA&T) is looking for a technical consultant for carbon markets and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for the project “Capacity Building in Carbon Markets and Article 6 (LAC-RS-019). The Technical Consultant will be supervised by UNEP’s Programme Management Officer of Energy Efficiency of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean Office and will work from home.
Qualifications/special skills
ACADEMIC: Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, environmental engineering, renewable energy, sustainability, economics, finance, administration, political science, international relations, diplomacy, or related studies is required. Additional studies, specific training or certification in climate science and carbon markets is desirable. Training and/or education in environmental economics and sustainability is desirable. PROFESSIONAL: General Experience: At least four (4) years of experience in climate change projects, environmental sciences, environmental economics, climate policy, economic research, or related fields is required. Experience of carbon markets and Article 6 is desirable. LANGUAGE: Fluent in Spanish is required. Fluent in English is required. SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: PROFESSIONALISM: Excellent understanding of global and national climate change issues, particularly related to transparency and carbon markets. 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 decisions, 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
Not available.
Additional Information
Not available.
No Fee

Please refer the Job description for details