Sustainable Transport Specialist

The consultant will support the Sustainable Mobility Unit in delivering the following activities under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Office for Green Freight. The following results are expected: Harmonized Freight Emissions Accounting • Validated and consolidated database of heavy-duty freight vehicle activity and emissions across participating countries. • Methodologically consistent emissions intensity factors and fuel-efficiency values for corridor-level reporting and policy analysis. Strengthened Policy and Strategy Development • Comprehensive analysis of existing policies and identification of gaps in green freight regulation. • Country-specific recommendations to harmonize and strengthen policies, enabling a corridor-level Green Freight Strategy and Action Plan. Enhanced Regional Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement • Fully operational corridor-level coordination mechanism integrating policy dialogue and technical harmonization. • Facilitation of stakeholder engagement processes that are inclusive and gender-responsive, with documented discussions, agreements, and follow-up actions. Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building • Development of targeted training materials and concept notes to support South–South collaboration and capacity development in emissions accounting and policy harmonization. • Identification and promotion of opportunities for regional and international collaboration, advancing sustainable freight practices beyond the Bi-Oceanic Corridor. Integrated and Actionable Project Deliverables • Final consolidated technical and coordination report synthesizing emissions data, policy analyses, coordination outcomes, and lessons learned. • Evidence-based recommendations for ongoing regional collaboration, strategic partnerships, and scalable interventions. Overall Impact: The consultancy will directly support UNEP and CCAC goals of reducing GHG and SLCP emissions from freight transport, improving policy coherence, and fostering regional collaboration. Outputs will enable corridor countries to implement harmonized strategies, strengthen technical capacity, and advance inclusive, sustainable freight transport systems.

Remote based

8 Months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the designated UN entity addressing environmental issues at global and regional levels. UNEP promotes sustainable consumption and production patterns, environmentally sound policies, and safe management of chemicals. The Sustainable Mobility Unit (SMU), part of the Industry and Economy Division, supports low- and zero-emissions transport in low- and middle-income countries through projects on fuels and vehicles, electric mobility, active mobility, transport digitalization, and regional collaborations such as the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles. The consultant will support SMU’s flagship project Collaborative Action and Innovation to Transform Freight Corridors in South America, funded by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC). This project aims to reduce greenhouse gases and short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) from heavy-duty freight vehicles along strategic corridors and integrate digitalization, gender and policy harmonization into transport systems across Latin America. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES In close consultation with the UNEP Sustainable Mobility Unit Green Freight Leads and partner organizations, the consultant will be responsible for the following activities: Activity 1: Technical Emissions Analysis • Develop and validate a harmonized Freight Corridor Emission Accounting Framework for the Bi-Oceanic Corridor. • Coordinate emissions data collection, ensure methodological consistency, and generate corridor-level emission intensity factors. • Support South–South knowledge exchange and capacity building in emissions accounting. Activity 2: Policy Coordination and Harmonization • Conduct policy gap analyses and develop recommendations for harmonizing green freight regulations. • Establish an integrated corridor-level coordination mechanism combining policy dialogue and technical harmonization of vehicle emissions standards. • Facilitate stakeholder engagement processes that are inclusive, gender-responsive, and promote regional collaboration. The technical analysis produced under Activity 1 will inform the policy dialogue and coordination mechanisms established under Activity 2. Specifically, emissions accounting methodologies, freight decarbonization pathways, and policy gap analyses will serve as technical inputs for stakeholder consultations and the development of harmonized strategies among Bi-Oceanic Corridor countries.

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in transport, sustainable development, urban planning, transport digitalization, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Minimum 2 years in sustainable mobility / air quality, ideally in Latin America is required. Proven experience in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and emissions data management is required. Familiarity with GLEC Framework, CCAC projects and corridor-level interventions is required. Proven experience in designing and delivering policy documents is desirable. Proven experience in stakeholder engagement and consultation is desirable. Proven experience in the sustainable mobility, vehicle emissions and air quality field in Latin America, working with national and city governments and other stakeholders – both directly and in consortium approaches is desirable. For this consultancy you must be based in Latin America. Proven experience working with international organizations is desirable. Proven experience in sustainable transport is desirable. Excellent communication skills - written and verbal is desirable

English and French are the official languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post fluency in English and Spanish is required; Portuguese is desirable.

Not available.

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.