Senior Consultant for Carbon Markets and NbS

The consultant will advise 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. Knowledge sharing, capacity building, and informed decision-making are 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 document containing actionable recommendations to the consulting firm on how the regional workshop could foster peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and regional collaboration among participating countries of the GCF Readiness Project. The consultant shall engage with national focal points to identify countries’ needs, interests, and key lessons learned. Based on this assessment and the workshop’s key themes –(i) market evaluation of mitigation outcomes, (ii) procedures for the authorization of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs), (iii) results of the pilots on corresponding adjustments, and (iii) national roadmaps–, the document shall propose guiding questions, case studies, and examples in the region to stimulate discussion and peer learning. The consultant should also identify potential opportunities for collaboration with other initiatives, programs, or organizations working on carbon markets and Article 6 that could be invited to participate in the workshop as guest contributors to strengthen capacity building and regional dialogue. • Product No. 2. A report summarizing three (3) virtual technical meetings with the focal points of the countries participating in the GCF Readiness Project. The meetings will aim to strengthen the technical capacities of the participating countries to facilitate the adoption and implementation of the technical documents and results produced under the project. The discussions shall focus on key topics identified in coordination with the governments related to the Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and carbon markets in general. The report shall summarize the main discussions, key questions raised by participating countries, and recommendations identified during the meetings. • Product No. 3. A policy brief with the key lessons learned from the experiences of countries participating in the GCF Readiness Project in (i) developing pilots and protocols for the transfer of ITMOs; (ii) developing national roadmaps to implement carbon markets, including Article 6 of the Paris Agreement; and (iii) identifying and selecting mitigation projects that can increase climate ambition through the use of market-based mechanisms under Article 6. The brief shall draw on the feedback by the consultant to deliverables presented by the consulting firms, as well as the results and experiences under the GCF Readiness Project, and present policy-relevant insights and recommendations to support countries seeking to operationalize Article 6 cooperative approaches. Specific tasks and responsibilities 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: • Conduct comprehensive reviews of the deliverables prepared by the consulting firms under the GCF Readiness Project, ensuring compliance with quality standards, timelines and provide substantive technical inputs as needed. • Provide strategic advice and capacity-building assistance to the focal points of the participating countries in the GCF Readiness Project, promoting the effective understanding, ownership, and adoption of the documents developed by the consulting firms. • Collaborate with the Capacity Building in Carbon Markets and Article 6 Readiness Project Coordinator in engaging with related projects and initiatives on carbon markets and Article 6, identifying and advancing potential synergies. • Work closely with the Project Coordination Unit and the consulting firms to design the agenda for the regional in-person workshop, ensuring the inclusion of key topics that facilitate the adoption of the technical reports, protocols, and pilot results produced under the GCF Readiness Project.

Home-Based

7 MONTHS

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. 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 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 is implementing a GCF Readiness Project “Capacity Building in Carbon Markets and Article 6” in seven (7) countries of Latin America. This project seeks to collectively improve: i) the overall knowledge of the scope and functioning of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in Panama, Guatemala, 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 senior consultant for carbon markets and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for the project “Capacity Building in Carbon Markets and Article 6 (LAC-RS-019). The Senior 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.

ACADEMIC • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental sciences, economics, finance, administration, political science, international relations, law, or related studies is required. • Masters’s degree in engineering, environmental sciences, climate change, economics, energy systems, renewable energy, political science, international relations, law, or related studies is desirable. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ● Seven (7) years of professional experience in climate change projects, environmental sciences, environmental economics, climate policy, economic research, or related fields is required. ● Two (2) years of specific experience in carbon markets and Article 6 is required. ● Two (2) years of specific experience working with or advising public institutions, climate change or carbon markets project development, or international cooperation organizations is desirable. SPECIAL SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE SKILLS • Intermediate knowledge and ability to use the set of standard applications (MS Office) is desirable. • Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards. • Mature judgment and initiative. • Absolute commitment to confidentiality. • Ability to work independently and under pressure; take the initiative to judge priorities and organize work accordingly. • Strong interpersonal skills and highly developed cultural sensitivity to communicate with all levels of staff and external clients, both orally and in writing. • Excellent organizational skills, ability to perform multiple tasks and attention to detail, initiative and independence. • Ability to innovate, combining methodological approaches and data from various levels and disciplines including economics, finance, development, and mitigation. PROFESSIONALISM 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 their 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.

● Fluency in Spanish is required ● Fluency in English 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.