Adaptation Finance Strategy Specialist

Result of Service 1. Objective and scope of the consultancy:

The main objective of the position of the Adaptation Finance Strategy Specialist is to work closely with the National Project Coordinator, the Adaptation Planning Specialist and other national consultants and government counterparts, in the effective delivery of a government-endorsed Adaptation Funding and Resource Mobilization Strategy along with development of 3 Concept Notes to the GCF. In doing so, the consultant will contribute to the effective implementation of Component 4 (Funding strategy available for national and sub-national adaptation initiatives and development of three concept notes for the Green Climate Fund) of the project Development of subnational capacities for the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan in Costa Rica, as set in the cooperation agreement signed between UNEP and the Government of Costa Rica.

To contribute to the effective implementation of the component, the Adaptation Finance Strategy Specialist will perform the following activities:

A. Review and benchmark relevant methodologies for estimating costs of adaptation. B. Identify and analyze reports produced on climate expenditures and costing adaptation in Costa Rica – including, among other things, the assessment of investment and financial flows and adaptation initiatives’ evaluation reports – as well as additional information of relevant actors, capital needs, barriers, opportunities (regulatory and institutional), and knowledge needs, and identify information gaps for a reliable estimation of costs and associated financing required for implementing prioritized adaptation measures. C. Develop a joint workplan and methodology, in collaboration with the National Project Coordinator, an Adaptation Finance consultant, Adaptation Planning Specialists and other national consultants and government counterparts, for aligning the development of the Adaptation Funding and Resource Mobilization Strategy, with adaptation planning processes that are currently taking place to finalize the determination of adaptation priorities at the national and subnational levels for the time period 2021 – 2030. D. Identify and characterize potential public, private, subnational, national, international, bilateral, and multilateral sources of short- and long-term financing to implement prioritized adaptation measures. E. Identify and characterize potential financial instruments and mechanisms to effectively mobilize financial resources to implement adaptation priorities, including innovative financial mechanisms such as public-private partnerships, microfinance, insurance, and international cooperation opportunities. F. Carry out an assessment of the institutional barriers to increasing investments in adaptation, including, among others, a review of the criteria to access different sources of financing. G. Provide technical support to the team of consultants who are currently carrying out adaptation planning processes at the subnational level in Costa Rica, by estimating the implementation costs of prioritized adaptation actions. These estimates should be created through research, compilation, and analysis of information available at the national and subnational level, including bibliographic analysis, as well as bilateral interviews with relevant local stakeholders for each activity of analysis. If there is no information at the national or subnational level, relevant international references could be used (note that it must describe why the reference is reliable to the Costa Rican experience). H. Estimate costs of implementing prioritized adaptation actions at the national level, indicated in Costa Rica’s recently updated Nationally Determined Contribution (presented to UNFCCC in December 2020), and additional national instruments (policies, plans, strategies) relevant to adaptation. These estimates should be created through research, compilation, and analysis of information available at the national and subnational level, including bibliographic analysis, as well as bilateral interviews with relevant local stakeholders for each activity of analysis. If there is no information at the national or subnational level, relevant international references could be used (note that it must describe why the reference is reliable to the Costa Rican experience). I. Based on the results of the above-mentioned tasks, developing a government-endorsed Adaptation Funding and Resource Mobilization Strategy to effectively mobilize funding resources for the implementation of priority adaptation actions identified through national and sub-national adaptation planning processes. The strategy must include an investment timeline, along with costs for each of the prioritized adaptation actions. This strategy must be validated through consultation processes with the public and private sectors, and include concrete actions for the establishment of a long-term financing structure for the implementation of adaptation priorities, including: access to international, public and high-potential private companies to implement adaptation priorities. ; strengthen the structure of national public financing institutions, including the Payment for Ecosystem Services program; and facilitate the effective channeling of funds at the national and subnational levels. J. Carry out consultative processes with different relevant actors, to validate the Strategy for the Mobilization of Resources and Financing for Adaptation. K. Develop training tools and undertake capacity building activities for relevant government stakeholders to increase understanding and initiate implementation of the adaptation finance strategy. L. Work in close collaboration with an Adaptation Finance Strategy Consultant, to conduct the following tasks to successfully complete 3 Concept Notes for the GCF: i. Liaise with the country NDA and NAP project team to assess proposed priority adaptation strategies contained in the NAP and GCF Country Programme and select 3 ideas to be developed into 3 GCF Concept Notes based on agreed criteria to be elaborated with the NDA and NAP project team. ii. Collect and review information related to baseline stressors and the climate change stressor leading to vulnerability to climate change to inform the elaboration of the Concept Note. This will include conducting interviews and work sessions with key stakeholders. iii. Liaise with the country NDA on identifying GCF Accredited Entity that will engage in the elaboration of the Concept Note and further project development and implementation. iv. Hold work sessions with Concept Note working groups to present draft sections of the Concept Notes and finalize the Concept Notes drawing on inputs from the Concept Note working groups. v. Submit final draft Concept Notes to the NDA and country level no-objection process for review. vi. Submit to UNEP for review. M. Collect lessons learned related to adaptation finance and estimation of adaptation costs.

The products must be delivered and have the approval of UNEP to process the payment

A. A. Products Product 1. Report with estimated costs of implementation of prioritized adaptation actions at the national level, as indicated in Costa Rica’s recently updated Nationally Determined Contribution (presented to UNFCCC in December 2020) and additional national instruments (policies, plans, strategies) relevant to adaptation. Product 2. A document containing an Adaptation Funding and Resource Mobilization Strategy for prioritized national and subnational adaptation actions, to be validated through consultation processes with the public and private sectors. The strategy should include concrete actions to establish a long-term financing structure for the implementation of adaptation priorities, including access to international, public and private sources of high potential to implement adaptation priorities; strengthen the structure of national public financing institutions, including the Payment for Ecosystem Services program; and facilitate the effective channeling of funds at the national and subnational levels. It must also include at least three adaptation project Product 3. Report with the results of consultation processes, feedback obtained, and lessons learned. A report detailing information on the consultative processes carried out to validate the Strategy, including consultation methodologies, lists of participants, feedback obtained throughout the process, and lessons learned. The validated Adaptation Financing and Resource Mobilization Strategy should be included as an annex to the report. Product 4. A document containing a training tool to facilitate capacity building sessions for relevant government stakeholders to increase understanding and initiate the implementation of the adaptation finance strategy, and a report of at least 2 capacity building trainings conducted with relevant government stakeholders who use the tool to strengthen understanding and promote implementation of the Strategy for Mobilizing Resources and Financing for Adaptation. The report should provide lists of participants as well as more details on the methodology and resources used to conduct the training session Product 5. Work plan for the design of 3 concept notes to be presented to the Green Climate Fund. For each proposal for a concept note, the work plan should detail: a schedule, as well as the proposed methodology for designing the concept notes, and the roles and responsibilities of the different people and institutions that will be involved in the development process. It must be approved by all parties that will lead the design of these concept notes. Product 6. Project proposal concept note 1, which includes all the information required by GCF in its template for concept note development associated with the following elements: A. Project/programme summary B. Project/programme information C. Indicative Financing/Cost Information D. Supporting documents submitted

The concept note should also ensure the following: 1. The information collected should be location-specific and quantitative as far as possible. Data and information must be recent and referenced. 2. The climate justification should establish trends, observed impacts and projected risks for the project area(s). 3. Proposed adaptation measures shall, as far as possible, be based on initiatives that have become known in the country. Information on efficiency and effectiveness should incorporate considerations of financial viability and flows and impact of public benefits; 4. The paradigm shift must incorporate innovative approaches; methods to strengthen public funding of adaptation approaches; mechanisms and approaches to incentivize private sector financing for adaptation; scalable and with a clear replication strategy; 5. A product-level budget summary should be prepared based on country-level cost data. 6. The concept note should include a draft logical framework detailing the impact at the Fund level and the indicators of results and tentative targets, as well as the results and output targets at the project level. Product 7. Project proposal concept note 2, which includes all the information required by GCF in its template for concept note development associated with the following elements: A. Project/programme summary B. Project/programme information C. Indicative Financing/Cost Information D. Supporting documents submitted

The concept note should also ensure the following: 1. The information collected should be location-specific and quantitative as far as possible. Data and information must be recent and referenced. 2. The climate justification should establish trends, observed impacts and projected risks for the project area(s). 3. Proposed adaptation measures shall, as far as possible, be based on initiatives that have become known in the country. Information on efficiency and effectiveness should incorporate considerations of financial viability and flows and impact of public benefits; 4. The paradigm shift must incorporate innovative approaches; methods to strengthen public funding of adaptation approaches; mechanisms and approaches to incentivize private sector financing for adaptation; scalable and with a clear replication strategy; 5. A product-level budget summary should be prepared based on country-level cost data. 6. The concept note should include a draft logical framework detailing the impact at the Fund level and the indicators of results and tentative targets, as well as the results and output targets at the project level. Product 8. Project proposal concept note 3, which includes all the information required by GCF in its template for concept note development associated with the following elements: A. Project/programme summary B. Project/programme information C. Indicative Financing/Cost Information D. Supporting documents submitted

The concept note should also ensure the following: 1. The information collected should be location-specific and quantitative as far as possible. Data and information must be recent and referenced. 2. The climate justification should establish trends, observed impacts and projected risks for the project area(s). 3. Proposed adaptation measures shall, as far as possible, be based on initiatives that have become known in the country. Information on efficiency and effectiveness should incorporate considerations of financial viability and flows and impact of public benefits; 4. The paradigm shift must incorporate innovative approaches; methods to strengthen public funding of adaptation approaches; mechanisms and approaches to incentivize private sector financing for adaptation; scalable and with a clear replication strategy; 5. A product-level budget summary should be prepared based on country-level cost data. 6. The concept note should include a draft logical framework detailing the impact at the Fund level and the indicators of results and tentative targets, as well as the results and output targets at the project level. Product 9. Report with feedback received from validation of the concept note with different stakeholders. The concept note 1, with all adjustments made based on feedback received, must be included as an annex to the report. Product 10. Report with feedback received from validation of the concept note with different stakeholders. The concept note 2, with all adjustments made based on feedback received, must be included as an annex to the report. Product 11. Report with feedback received from validation of the concept note with different stakeholders. The concept note 3, with all adjustments made based on feedback received, must be included as an annex to the report.

Work Location Home Based

Expected duration 11 months

Duties and Responsibilities 1. General Background of Assignment

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. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, 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).UNEP, through its Latin America and the Caribbean Office, works to implement the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The office works to serve the needs of the region and its activities are integrated activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). In terms of supporting countries in the region attain the global commitments signed within the framework of the Paris Agreement, UNEP’s Latin America and the Caribbean Sub-programme on Climate Change aims at strengthening the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. In this framework, the UNEP Sub-programme on Climate Change, through its Climate Change Unit leads and supports several initiatives oriented at designing, promoting and implementing innovative mitigation and adaptation solutions at the national and subnational level, and strengthening the transparency framework of the countries. The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including the ecosystem-based approach, are implemented and integrated into key sectoral and national development strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts. Furthermore, the UNEP’s Sub-programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensure that cross-cutting issues such as /gender equity and women empowerment are effectively integrated in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives. In this context, the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica and UNEP have agreed on the implementation of the project Development of Sub-national Capacities for the Implementation of the National Adaptation Plan in Costa Rica, framed within the Readiness program of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The project is aimed at reducing the vulnerability of Costa Rica to the effects of climate variability and climate change through the creation of adaptive capacities. Specifically, the project has the objective to strengthen the country's capacity to integrate adaptation into regional and municipal planning, including the participation of government entities, the private sector, and civil society. The project seeks to achieve its objective through: - Strengthening existing planning frameworks at the regional and cantonal levels, by recognizing the crucial role of subnational authorities in adapting to climate change. - Involving key stakeholders in the planning and implementation of adaptation at these levels. - Producing cantonal risk assessments to identify adaptation needs, based on available and relevant knowledge, and a validated and efficient methodology. - Creating institutional and technical capacity and promoting agreements at different levels. - Developing adequate monitoring and reporting mechanisms for adaptation at the subnational level and linking them to the national metric system for climate change monitoring and evaluation. To fulfill the objectives of the project, UNEP LACO is recruiting an Adaptation Finance Specialist to provide technical support for the effective delivery of a government-endorsed Adaptation Funding and Resource Mobilization Strategy, within the framework of the project Development of subnational capacities for the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan in Costa Rica, as set in the cooperation agreement signed between UNEP and the Government of Costa Rica. The Adaptation Finance Strategy Specialist will operate under the overall supervision of the Adaptation Program Officer at the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office and will assist the National Project Coordinator in the execution of the project. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica and other national consultants and government counterparts.

The Adaptation Finance Strategy Specialist is expected to work from home during the duration of the assignment and hold regular meetings (as needed) in the Climate Change Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica (DCC MINAE) in San Jose, Costa Rica. The consultant may also be required to travel around the country to engage in participative consultation processes.

Qualifications/special skills Competency: - Professionalism: Is results-oriented and committed to excellence. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Demonstrates adaptability to change and willingness to engage in continuous learning. Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of views. - 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. - Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience. - Teamwork: Is able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve organizational goals; takes leadership when appropriate; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; 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

Skills: - Sound knowledge of Cost-Benefit Analysis, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, Multi-Criteria Analysis (and/or other relevant tools). - Strong analytical skills. - Track record in producing analyses similar to those required for this position. - Ability to communicate complex issues in a language and format that is appropriate to specific target audiences. - Proficiency in MS Office (MS Word, Excel and Outlook) software applications.

Academic Qualifications: - Must have a Master’s degree in Economics, Finances, Environmental Science or Management, International Development, Sustainable Development, Climate Change Adaptation, or a closely related field.

Experience: - At least 5 years of professional experience in the fields of development, environment and/or climate change is required. - Desirable: At least 3 years of experience in the fields of climate finance and/or climate change integration in national/regional/sectoral/local planning and/or financial management/budgeting. - Proven experience in economic / financial analysis and / or in the development and / or analysis of financial mechanisms aimed at leveraging financing from international sources, public and / or private sector to finance environmental and / or climate change actions. - Proven experience in estimating costs and benefits of climate change adaptation and/or environmental actions. - Demonstrated experience working with government entities and/or the private sector in Costa Rica is a plus. - Demonstrated experience working with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) or other international organizations, especially within the United Nations system, is an advantage. - Proven experience in researching and writing bankable project proposals for climate funds or similar multilateral funds, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Adaptation Fund (AF) , the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI).) and/or regional funds is an advantage.

Language: - Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

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.