Consultant, Financing Nature-based Solutions in Brazil

Contract

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Result of Service

The work of the consultant will contribute to the implementation of UN Development Account-funded project on ‘Financing NbS for Green and Inclusive recovery’, with the goal to support Brazil in delivering the SDGs and the commitment under the Paris Climate Agreement and the Kunming- Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework while supporting socio-economic objective of poverty reduction and food security for all. The work of the consultant will also contribute to ‘Nature’, ‘Biodiversity’ and ‘Finance and Economic Transformation’ Programmes being developed by UNEP with a focus on analysis options for agricultural fiscal policy reform as part of a broader effort to scale up finance and investment to Nature-based solutions.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

UNEP is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system. UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use of the global environment and sustainable development. The Industry and Economy Division at UNEP plays a leading role in the Green Economy Initiative which aims to shift national economies on to a sustainable path, in which jobs and output growth are driven by increased investment in green sectors, and by a switch of consumers’ preferences towards environmentally friendly goods and services. Located within the Industry and Economy Division, the Resources and Markets Branch examines how economics, trade, and finance interact with the environment and contribute to sustainable development at the local, national, regional and global levels. The Resources and Markets Branch support countries through analytical studies in partnerships with UN agencies, intergovernmental institutions, governments, academic institutes, businesses and environmental groups to support the shift to an inclusive green economy and help deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among its areas of work, the Economic and Trade Policy Unit supports global efforts on green fiscal policy reforms and advises countries on how fiscal policies can support the inclusive green economy and delivery of the SDGs across different sectors, including the sector of agriculture. In past decades, Brazil has developed a large-scale agricultural system, becoming a major global exporter. In 2020, Brazil was the lead world exporter for soy, raw sugar, and frozen beef. The successful development of this economic sector has come with dire consequences on ecosystems, in particular the Cerrado and the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. It also reinforced a system of historically inequal land distribution. State support has played a decisive role in the shaping of the current production framework, with policies that included fiscal incentives such as price supports, favourable agricultural trade policies, and investments in research and development. The need to increase finance flows towards sustainable agriculture occurs in the context of heightened fiscal pressure. In this context, an efficient use of public resources will be critical, and fiscal policy reforms are a key instrument. Recent policy changes (introduction of the RenovAgro, reform of the Plano Safra) have reinforced the scope in which public incentives can support farmers to adopt deforestation- and conversion-free production practices and show a step in the right direction. Nevertheless, agricultural credit support could further be further improved to target specific socio-economic, innovation, and environmental outcomes. The impact of environmental conditionality set by the Environmental Rural Registry (CAR) and the Agricultural Risk Zoning (ZARC) in the access to credit need to be reevaluated, to ensure alignment with Brazil’s reenforced commitments on GHG and deforestation. This is also crucial to ensure continued access to European markets of Brazilian markets, since the recent adoption of the law on deforestation free-products. Previous research has highlighted the existence of some inefficient, distortive and potentially environmentally harmful support measures, which may support unsustainable farming practices, which also need to reassessed (Lopes and Lowery, 2015). UNEP is leading a project in Brazil, entitled “Financing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for a green and inclusive recovery in Latin America”. The project offers technical support to the governments of Brazil to develop and implement fiscal reform, with the long-term objective of 1) transforming behaviors in the agricultural sector and 2) scale up public and private investment and finance for nature to support sustainable, inclusive and resilient food systems in Brazil. It focuses on developing concrete policy solutions to realign public finance–and credit incentives–with environmental and development objectives and improving the synergies between on–going reform efforts on this issue. Additionally, UNEP is leading the State of Finance for Nature initiative, which quantifies public and private finance flows to nature-based solutions (NbS) to tackle global challenges related to biodiversity loss, land degradation and climate change. The SFN aims to inform public and private actors about progress against key targets and the extent to which finance flows are aligned with global targets and the investment needed to limit global warming to below 1.5 or 2°C, halt biodiversity loss and achieve land degradation neutrality. The initiative has also started to track finance flows from public (environmentally harmful subsidies) and private sources that have a direct negative impact on nature. In a first pilot, the global approach and methods have been applied to a country level NbS finance assessment in Brazil. Finally, UNEP is cooperating on a new project with GIZ of a new IKI-funded project on the role of public incentives for nature and climate, which will include activities in Brazil. GIZ and UNEP are currently in the preparation phase of the project and designing activities in coordination with Government of Brazil. UNEP is looking for a consultant to support 1) the in-country coordination between the different actors this project, and to support with the review, 2) further data collection, analysis and reworking of the SFN Brazil case study report along with a consultation process and engagement with key stakeholders, and 3) contribute to the design of the new IKI project and ensure the alignment of activities with UNEP on-going portfolio on public finance and biodiversity in Brazil. The consultant’s responsibilities will include: 1. Coordinate the Brazil activities of the “Financing NbS for Agriculture” project (75%) • Coordinate the organization of Governance Committees. • Coordinate a network of relevant public sector stakeholders previously identified and endorsed by the Brazilian Government and coordinate their engagement in a Governance Committee. • Support the organization of 5 Governance Committee meetings (i.e. managing communication, documentation sharing, agenda, and meeting summaries). • Coordinate the in-country implementation and results’ dissemination of the project: • Coordinate seminars to endorse methodology, conduct stakeholder consultations, present project results, and final report by: • Assisting the Geneva team with the procurement process and overall communication • Communicating with and updating the Brazil office. • Identifying key stakeholders for attendance and ensure communication • Prepare agenda drafting. • Ensure liaison between Governance Committee and other relevant public stakeholders, research consortium, UNEP Brazil Office, and UNEP Geneva Office. • Proof-read documents produced by the project. • Coordinate the research consortium to organize consultations, workshops, or webinars to discuss the draft report findings, solicit input from key stakeholders, and ensure inclusivity in the review process. • Cordinate the Geneva team in the collection of project outputs (meeting summaries, attendance lists, draft reports). 2. Undertake additional research to revise the SFN Brazil study and implement a consultation with key stakeholders including extensive government engagement (15%) a Review, update and strengthen draft SFN Brazil study • Review and strengthen the study by inter-alia: • Identify data available at national level on nature-related finance flows and integrate into analysis adjusting estimates as needed. Information and data can come from a broad range of sources and should cover: • Finance flows to nature/NbS from public and private sources • nature negative finance flows (including public environmentally harmful subsidies and private nature negative flows) • Ensure additional data and analysis is consistent with definitions and methods of SFN 2023 global report and technical annex • Review investment needs section and identify options on how to expand analysis and narrative. Explore other sources of information on future investment needs for NbS and how this relates to investment needs for the bioeconomy. • Review and expand the section on recommendations based on a review of recent policy developments, bringing in additional material and sources based on the latest information including latest government policy reports and documents. • Draft a short annex to outline how implementation of the global SFN approach and methods needs to be adapted to the national level and context. b. Engage with government and other national stakeholders on the SFN Brazil study • Working with UNEP country office, engage with government ministries and other key stakeholders (e.g. BNDES) nationally to identify further analysis needed, potential partners to do so, opportunities for uptake of SFN findings and how methods can be adapted to better inform country level efforts to track and scale nature finance. • Circulate the revised report to a wide range of key stakeholders in Brazil, collate and integrate feedback, documenting what feedback is received and how it is reflected in the revised report. • Explore best avenue and partners to publish revised study in 2024. • Identify opportunities to present, disseminate and profile SFN at key events in Brazil to maximise exposure and get broad-based feedback and buy-in • Engage with non-state actors active in nature finance tracking, e.g. UNDP BioFin, Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) and others to explore synergies and collaboration at national level. 3. Preparation phase of a new IKI project (10%) • Coordinate the preparation phase of new IKI-funded project led by GIZ and UNEP • Attend meeting with GIZ and Government • Provide technical inputs to the project document • Ensure alignment and synergies between the new project and UNEP existing activities, in coordination with the Geneva office, the UNEP Brazil Office, and the GIZ country team

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s or higher degree in economics, public policy, environment policy or related field. At least 5 years of work experience with at least 2 in public policy with a focus on public finance and/or agricultural finance Knowledge of agricultural fiscal policy, and in particular environmentally harmful subsidies in the context of agriculture is an advantage In-depth knowledge of agricultural policies, economic dynamics, and sustainable development issues in Brazil is a requirement Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and generate actionable insights Professional experience in producing economic/fiscal policy analysis both at global, national and sectoral levels and providing policy advice to national governments; Experience of working with the Brazilian government and the UN system on the theme of sustainable agriculture is an advantage A commitment to sustainable development principles and objectives.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Portuguese is the national language of Brazil. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and Portuguese are required.

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.