Result of Service
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 it also allows 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 is looking for a Country Leader Consultant for Costa Rica to steer down the execution of the Readiness activities in Costa Rica, and whom will i) work in close collaboration with the international – individual consultants and firms in the development of activities and deliverables for Costa Rica, ii) provide technical inputs to ensure high quality Readiness deliverables, iii) maintain fluid conversations with Costa Rica´s NDAs and local stakeholders and, iv) ensure that activities are developed according to Costa Rica’s national circumstances and priorities. The Country Leader Consultant for Costa Rica will be supervised by UNEP’s Programme Management Officer of Energy Efficiency of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean Office. The incumbent will be based at the Ministry of Environment of Costa Rica (San José, Costa Rica) and will be expected to comply with 20 hours per week (part-time), Monday to Friday, based on the Government priorities. The Lead Technical Specialist Consultant for Costa Rica will contribute to the Climate Ambition and Transparency Team’s achievement of these main goals: ● Collectively improve the overall knowledge of the scope and functioning of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in Costa Rica, but also in Argentina, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Guatemala and El Salvador through a regional approach ● Enable the relevant stakeholders from these participating countries to comply with the institutional, technical, and operational requirements necessary to establish or participate in new or existing carbon markets. This will not only contribute to the participating countries’ fulfillment of the goals set in their NDCs but also promote increased ambition and cooperation among national governments in meeting their commitments under the Paris Agreement. Under the direct supervision of UNEP’s Programme Manager Officer of Energy Efficiency for the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean Office, the consultant shall perform the following activities: ● Coordinate day to day oversight of project execution in relation to activities for Costa Rica. ● Work in close collaboration with the NDA of Costa Rica and the Team Leader maintain a fluid conversation, leading to high-quality deliverables being developed based on the country’s priorities. ● Provide technical inputs and timely revision to the deliverables specifically tailored for Costa Rica. ● Ensure a high-quality implementation of the activities designed for Costa Rica. ● Prepare progress reports for activities for Costa Rica. ● Monitor coordination with relevant national institutions and government ministries of Costa Rica to ensure that project activities are distinct and fully complementary to other national initiatives. ● Attend inception workshops and national steering committee meetings. ● Liaise with national stakeholders and engage with local climate change involved entities. ● Provide technical insights to all national and international experts involved.
Work Location
San Jose, Costa Rica
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. 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).
Qualifications/special skills
ACADEMIC: ● Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, engineering, economics, management, finance, administration, political science, international relations or related studies is required. ● A Master´s degree in environmental sciences, economics, finance, administration, political science, international relations or related fields is desirable. PROFESSIONAL: ● General Experience: At least four (4) years of experience in public policy, climate change, environmental sciences, engineering, administration, environmental economics, climate policy, research, or related fields is required. ● Specific Experience: At least two (2) years of specific work experience in public institutions is desirable. ● Knowledge of carbon markets and Article 6 is desirable. LANGUAGE: ● Fluent in Spanish. (required) ● Confident level of English. (desirable). SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: PROFESSIONALISM: ● Excellent understanding of global and national climate change issues in particular 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 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.
Additional Information
Not available.
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.