CCAC Senior Policy Advisor for Africa Clean Air Program

Contract

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Result of Service

1. High-Level Political Backing for ACAP: Work with the ACAP implementation coordination team (with representatives from CACC, UNEP ROA, AUC and SEI) to secure political buy-in from African institutions and governments, along with engagement with potential donors and relevant institutions and programmes on air quality in Africa. This includes missions to key countries and formulating a strong value proposition for ACAP. 2. Continental Clean Air Roadmap and Implementation Plan: Support the development of the plan by participating in discussions to align ACAP objectives and activities with Agenda 2063, and Africa's long-term development strategy. This plan will be submitted to the official AUC process for approval and investment promotion. 3. Strong Regional Collaboration for ACAP Implementation: contribute to establishing and operationalizing sub-regional pillars across Africa, fostering regional ownership and collaboration. This includes technical assistance, stakeholder dialogue, and participation in the ACAP Advisory Group to ensure a unified approach towards achieving program goals.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is a partnership of governments, intergovernmental organizations, and representatives of the private sector, the environmental community, and other members of civil society. The CCAC is the only international body working on integrated climate and clean air solutions to reduce the rate of near-term warming. It focuses on fast action to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) including methane, black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and tropospheric ozone. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) hosts the CCAC Secretariat at the Economy Division in Paris. The CCAC supports countries, including 23 countries across Africa, to increase capacity to identify, evaluate and implement strategies to reduce SLCPs. This support extends to the development of integrated air pollution and climate change emission inventories, to understand the contribution of different sectors, and where mitigation should be focused. It also includes strengthening institutions and engaging the various stakeholders with responsibility for taking action on SLCPs. The CCAC also supports the identification of priority mitigation actions, evaluating their multiple benefits, and developing national plans and strategies for endorsement at high-political level. The Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), in partnership with UNEP and the African Union Commission, published the Integrated Assessment of Air Pollution and Climate Change for Sustainable Development in Africa in 2023. The report identifies major opportunities for addressing air pollution and climate change across the continent. Building on these findings, the Africa Clean Air Program (ACAP) aims to create an enabling environment for investment in clean air, harmonization of air quality standards, support for clean air legislation, and fostering of regional collaboration. ACAP is designed to address the significant health and environmental impacts of air pollution in Africa, where urbanization and industrialization are rapidly increasing emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). Despite these challenges, Africa receives less than 3.7% of international air quality funding. ACAP will be delivered by a partnership of the CCAC, UNEP Regional Office for Africa (ROA), the African Union and the regional economic communities (RECs) through four sub-regional pillars (North, South, East and West and Central Africa) and coordinated by CCAC and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) to support all 54 countries. The consultant, as the CCAC Senior Policy Advisor, will play an important role in driving the Africa Clean Air Program (ACAP) towards its objectives. The consultant will spearhead high-level engagement and political support by coordinating interactions with key stakeholders, ensuring buy-in from African Union institutions, regional economic communities, and national governments. Additionally, the consultant will support the development of the Continental Clean Air Program Roadmap, collaborating closely with the African Union Commission (AUC) and facilitating its finalization. The responsibilities will also include ensuring strategic alignment with the 2023 Assessment and Agenda 2063, supporting the establishment of ACAP's sub-regional pillars, and providing strategic leadership for the program's successful implementation. Through stakeholder engagement and effective communication, the consultant will drive efforts to address air pollution and climate change in Africa. Output expectations: 1. High-Level Engagement and Political Support: - Formulate strong value proposition for ACAP and convey this during engagements with AU institutions, RECs, and national governments demonstrating political buy-in for ACAP, including commitments from donors and funding partners. - Undertake at least one mission to a country in Africa to seek high-level support for political buy-in for ACAP. 2. Continental Clean Air Program Roadmap: - Support coordination with ‘Africa Assessment team’, CCAC Secretariat, and with the UNEP Regional Office for Africa and countries on the drafting and finalization of a comprehensive continental clean air program roadmap and implementation plan. - Ensure ACAP's goals and strategies are consistent with the objectives of Agenda 2063, the African Union's long-term development strategy. - Support the submission of the finalized roadmap and plan to the official AUC process, potentially including a multi-stakeholder workshop, to garner support and promote clean air investments across Africa. 3. Strategic Alignment and Regional Collaboration: - Provide technical assistance and support for the establishment and operationalization of ACAP's four sub-regional pillars (EAC, ECOWAS, SADC, and AMU) including identified champion countries and associated cities. - Facilitate dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure a unified approach towards achieving ACAP's objectives and participate in meetings of the ACAP Advisory Group, which includes representatives from the AUC, UNEP ROAP, WHO, and donors. - Provide strategic input to the Advisory Group on the program's approach, outreach opportunities, and linkages with relevant initiatives.

Qualifications/special skills

• An advanced university degree is required in the field of climate change, environment, natural resources management, development, or international relations. - Another degree combined with extensive professional experience in the agriculture sector may be accepted. - At least 15 years of professional experience related to environment or climate change strategies are required, with at least 10 of those years obtained within a national government or public policy entity with direct experience in leading policy development or implementation. Special knowledge and skills: - Excellent communication skills (written and oral presentations) is required. - A good understanding of short-lived climate pollutants, climate change and air pollution issues is essential. - Extensive experience working in Africa with government institutions, regional bodies, and civil society organizations is desirable. - Knowledge of the national policies in climate change mitigation and air pollution (National Policy of Climate Change and National Strategy of Air Quality) is desirable. -Good knowledge of national environmental regulations and national environmental issues is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential.

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.