Technical Advisor to develop and implement adaptation measures in Peru
Job Opening
Job Opening ID: 225638
Job Network : Economic, Social and Development
Job Family : ENV
Category and Level : Consultants, CON
Duty Station : PANAMA CITY
Department/Office : United Nations Environment Programme
Date Posted : Jan 15, 2024
Deadline : Jan 24, 2024

Result of Service
Present an analysis of the problems related to climate change in the regions prioritized by the National Agrarian Confederation, with a particular focus on the thematic areas of Agriculture and Water for Agriculture and provide recommendations for addressing the identified challenges and prioritizing adaptation measures and actions, including the need for regulation and the promotion of regional platforms of indigenous or native peoples to face climate change.

Product No. 1.
A document that identifies the problems regarding climate change in the regions prioritized by the National Agrarian Confederation (CNA ), emphasizing the thematic areas of Agriculture and Water for Agriculture. Additionally, the document must include an analysis of the priorities for developing and implementing climate change adaptation measures and actions within the prioritized regions, emphasizing the thematic areas of Agriculture and Water for Agriculture. An analysis of the results of the reports and technical opinions requested by the CNA from Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation of Peru (MIDAGRI) and other competent entities regarding the development and implementation of adaptation measures in Agriculture and Water for Agriculture in the area of prioritized regions is also expected.

Product No. 2.
An intervention proposal (action plan or strategy) in the area of prioritized regions to promote the participation of the CNA and regional grassroots federations in developing and implementing adaptation measures and actions in Agriculture and Water for Agriculture. This includes objectives, methodology and critical steps. Likewise, the proposal must have an analysis of the regulations to promote the installation and operation of regional platforms of indigenous or native peoples to face climate change in the area of the regions prioritized by the CNA.

Specific tasks and responsibilities

• Provide technical support to the CNA and its federations to strengthen their participation in the IPCCP.
• Propose a plan for the implementation of climate change adaptation projects by the regional bases of the CNA.
• Analyze actions or proposals for climate change adaptation linked to the thematic areas of Water and Agriculture, to ensure food security and sovereignty.
• Analyze proposals for planting and harvesting water, subway irrigation, reservoirs and management of existing ecological floors in the areas of intervention of the proposed Plan.
• Develop a process of knowledge and experience sharing with the regional bases of the CNA and/or indigenous organizations to identify problems related to climate change in the prioritized regions and the plan proposal to prioritize adaptation measures and/or actions in the thematic areas of agriculture and water for agriculture.
• Provide recommendations to address the identified challenges and prioritize the creation of regional platforms.
Work Location
HOME-BASED
Expected duration
3 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).

Throughout the work that UNEP engages in, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change marks a turning point to an emerging climate regime that brings all the states and the actors together to a new global platform to address the growing risks to our planet.

The climate crisis that affects the planet continues to worsen, and its effects, which threaten to become irreversible, continue to affect the territories and populations of all the Andean countries, including Peru. The recent COP 27 held in Egypt has confirmed that global temperatures continue to increase, and greenhouse gas emissions have not been reduced.

These patterns are no exception in Peru and are caused by the rapid and continuous advancements of the deforestation of entire forests in the Amazon, driven by the benefits extracted for transnational companies in the soybean and meat industry. In the meantime, forest and bushfires are worsening, and floods are spreading, effects which Peru is no stranger to, among other consequences.

It has been verified that the deterioration of the quality of life on the planet is due to the increasingly harmful effects of climate change, which significantly affect the lives of the most vulnerable populations in developing countries, including indigenous people, many of whom are in the Andean region.

These precarious situations are exacerbated if we account for the current economic crisis and the war in Ukraine, which have contributed to the global energy crisis. These situations have aggravated the imminent and intensive use of fossil fuels, which delays the transition to a greener energy grid. In addition, the global food crisis is increasing the risk of famine due to the increase in food prices, fertilizers, and food shortages due to the alteration of the supply chain.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) considers Peru a country at risk of famine and the most vulnerable country in the Americas, where more than half of the population is in danger of food insecurity. The country is at risk of food shortages because fewer hectares than average have been planted due to the lack of fertilizers and high prices. Likewise, climatic phenomena and extreme weather events such as droughts, cold temperatures and forest fires worsen the complicated food supply in the country.

In this context, this consultant is needed to propose a set of actions to strengthen the capacities of family producers and farmers to implement technological innovation activities and capacity improvement to overcome the difficulties presented to guarantee agricultural production and agroecological livestock, as well as generating renewable energy that contributes to mitigating the effects of climate change.

With this in mind, UNEP and the government of Perú have designed a project for the Partnership Action Fund (PAF), funded by the NDC Partnership (Nationally Determined Contributions Partnership). The fund supports NDC enhancement and implementation by reinforcing technical expertise and capacities to address gaps in developing country members. The PAF will complement the NDC Partnership’s implementing and development partners’ existing support offerings to catalyze further climate action. Among other things, this project will support the mainstreaming of cross-cutting topics like equal participation, inclusivity of indigenous and aboriginal peoples and knowledge, and the education of the general public on NDCs for their transparency and legitimacy.

In this sense, UNEP LACO is recruiting a Technical Advisor to develop and implement adaptation measures in Peru to strengthen their NDCs and Transparency goals. The incumbent will be supervised by UNEP’s Energy & Efficiency Programme Management Officer for Climate Change unit in the Latin America and the Caribbean Office and will work home-based.
Qualifications/special skills
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Political sciences, Economics, Environmental sciences, Humanities, or other areas related to the social sciences (required).

WORK EXPERIENCE:
• At least five (5) years of experience with organizations of indigenous peoples and/or agrarian organizations (required).
• Experience in the public, private and/or cooperative sectors (desirable).
• Four (4) years of experience in areas of indigenous governance, as a member of the Board of Directors in Ministries related to Agriculture and Environment (Agriculture, Environment, Water Authority) (desirable).
• Experience advising indigenous and agrarian organizations in public spaces and processes related to climate change and indigenous financing (desirable).
• Experience advising indigenous and agrarian organizations in public spaces and processes related to the rights of indigenous or native peoples, in particular, the CNA (desirable).

LANGUAGE:
• Fluency in Spanish (required).
• Fluency in Quechua (desirable).
• Confident in English (desirable).

SKILLS:

PROFESSIONALISM
• Experience in the design, preparation and execution of proposals related to climate change or for the exercise of indigenous rights, according to international standards.
• Management of the gender, intercultural and human rights approach of indigenous peoples.
• Management of Office tools and digital platforms.
• Excellent writing and teamwork skills.
• Proactive capacity, responsibility and commitment.
• Excellent understanding of national climate change commitments.
• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change, indigenous peoples and mitigation planning.
• Ability to identify, analyze and participate in resolving issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work, and manage conflicting priorities.
• 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 complex 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 following 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:
• Develop clear goals consistent with agreed strategies.
• Identifies priority activities and assignments.
• Adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate 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.