Consultant in Information Systems and Data-base management for Argentina’s Transparency Framework on GHG Inventories and Mitigation Project

Result of Service Objective

CBIT’s most important contribution will occur by strengthening Argentina’s reporting capacities so as to adequately comply with the requirements of the Enhance Transparency Framework through the new reporting format under the Paris Agreement: the Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR). In order to carry out the activities of Argentina’s CBIT project it requires the hiring of a Consultant in Information Systems and Data-base management.

Ultimate Result of the Service: ¿ The archiving system of the National GHG Inventory System (SNI-GEI) is improved. ¿ The SNI-GEI information is organized in a systematic way. ¿ The procedure for maintaining and updating the SNI-GEI archiving system has been developed. ¿ The implementation of the Climate Change Law, in particular the National Climate Change Information System, has been strengthened. ¿ The systematization of geographic information used by the NCCD is improved.

Outputs 1. Update the National GHG Inventory System (SNI-GEI-AR) archiving system as instructed by the NCCD team, including the backup of the BUR 3, BUR 4 and BUR 5 documentation, both in SharePoint and the MAyDS server.

2. Prepare a list of files contained in SharePoint of the SNI-GEI-AR, BUR 3, BUR 4 and BUR 5, including the links to the files.

3. Organize the Google Drive folders of a project within the NCCD to be defined with the project team to the SharePoint and MAyDS server.

- Product No. 1: Folders and subfolders of the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory System (SNI-GEI-AR), includingBUR 3, BUR4, BUR5 organized in SharePoint and in MAyDS servers with a backup copy. Include a report with list of files.

4. Analyze the processes and interactions of the National GHG Inventory elaboration cycle and the biennial report. Include in the analysis possible tools that could help to track and index the files used.

5. Prepare a proposal for a handbook of processes for the National GHG Inventory and the biennial report elaboration cycle. The manual should include planning, task assignment, task follow-up and follow-up.

6. Propose improvements in the preparation cycle of the National GHG Inventory and biennial reports

- Product No. 2: Report including improvements of the National GHG Inventory elaboration cycle and biennial reports.

1. Conduct a functional analysis for each of the systems that integrate the National Climate Change Information System (SNICC). Those systems are related to: GHG inventory, mitigation measures, adaptation, climate finance, GHG emissions projection, capacity building, project registry, negotiations, carbon markets, international financing projects, and the Integrated Environmental Information System.

2. Create a master plan with the workflows and interactions that exist between the different systems of the SNICC and their respective documentation systems. Include in the plan how to back up the information on the MAyDS servers.

3. Organize the Google Drive folders of two projects within the NCCD to be defined with the project team to the SharePoint and MAyDS server. The projects to be chosen cannot be the project of activity 3.

- Product No. 3: A document containing the functional analysis of the climate change information system and a master plan with the interactions of the SNICC systems.

10. Organize the Google Drive folders of two projects within the NCCD to be defined with the project team to the SharePoint and MAyDS server. The projects to be chosen cannot be the project of activity 3 and 9.

11. Develop an archiving procedure for the different projects migrated to SharePoint and the MAyDS server. Include an index for each project.

- Product No. 4: Folders and subfolders of the projects that were organized in activity 3, 9 and 10 organized in SharePoint and in MAyDS servers with a backup copy. Include a report with list of files

- Product No. 5: A document containing an archiving methodology procedure.

Work Location HOME BASED

Expected duration 6 MONTHS

Duties and Responsibilities Purpose

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).

The Argentine Republic ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1994 (Law No. 24,295), the Kyoto Protocol in September 2001 (Law No. 25,438) and the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol in May 2015 (Law No. 27,137). As a signatory of the UNFCCC, the country undertook obligations including the report of the national greenhouse gases inventories, national programs with mitigation and adaptation actions against climate change and any other relevant information regarding to the fulfilment of the objective of the UNFCCC. As part of the country’s undertaken obligations, Argentina submitted its First National Communication in July 1997, and a revised communication in October 1999. The Second National Communication was submitted in December 2007 and the Third National Communication, and the First Biennial Updated Report (BUR) were both submitted in December 2015. The Second BUR was submitted in August of 2017 and the Third BUR was presented to the UNFCCC in November 2019. The Fourth Biennial Update Report (BUR) was submitted in December 2021. In December 2015 during the 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21), the Paris Agreement (PA) was adopted; its article No. 2 established the objective of “holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels”. In September 2016, Argentina ratified the Paris Agreement (Law No. 27,270), then in December 2019, the National Congress approved the National Law No. 27,520 on Global Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation. Finally, in December 2020, the country submitted its 2nd Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) which reflects its enhanced commitment to combat climate change and its effects. Argentina´s 2nd NDC outlines an absolute economy-wide reduction target of limiting its GreenHouse Gasses (GHG) emissions to 349 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) by 2030.

One of the most relevant challenges the implementation of the Paris Agreement poses to countries is to count with strong Transparency Frameworks. Article No.13 of the PA establishes the need for Parties to implement national robust and transparent reporting and accounting systems to give clarity on action and support while providing clear information to stakeholders. As part of building and enhancing their Transparency Frameworks, Parties of the UNFCCC Convention will progressively implement better tools and institutional practices, many of them not sufficiently developed in the countries. This is especially true for developing countries.

The UNFCCC Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) demands substantial and immediate progress in the countries’ domestic Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems and strategic de-carbonization 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 building mutual trust and confidence amongst Parties.

The Global Environment Facility - Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (GEF-CBIT) will support the Argentinian government for four years, mainly in strengthening its ETF. This will happen by improving the accuracy, completeness and consistency of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventories and increasing its capacities to domestically track and evaluate mitigation measures and related finance support received and provided, as well as generating the technical inputs needed for medium and long-term planning contributing to the improvement of climate-related decision-making in the country. In order to achieve this objective, Argentina’s GEF-CBIT project, which was approved in July of 2019, is organized into three components: - National and subnational GHG inventory System - Domestic tracking of mitigation actions and support received - Medium and long-term projections In this sense, the Climate Change Unit of UNEP is recruiting a Consultant in Information Systems and Data-base management to strengthening Argentina’s reporting capacities so as to adequately comply with the requirements of the Enhance Transparency Framework-ETF through the new reporting format under the Paris Agreement: the Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR). The incumbent will work from home and will be supervised by the UNEP Regional Coordinator of Energy Efficiency of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean. He or she will work in close collaboration with the National Climate Change Directorate (NCCD) within the Secretariat of Environment, Sustainable Development and Innovation of Argentina’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MAyDS).

Qualifications/special skills Qualifications Required

ACADEMIC: - Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, Library Science, Information Resources, Production Management or other university degree relevant to data management (required);

PROFESSIONAL: - A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in areas related to process and data analysis (required); - Verifiable professional experience working with technical teams in charge of the elaboration of Biennial Update Report within a national government (desirable); - Verifiable professional experience in management achieving systems (desirable); - Demonstrates understanding of digital tools used for file archiving, storage, processing and management (desirable); - Knowledge of digital libraries, archives and records management (desirable); - Knowledge about the archiving system of the National GHG Inventory System of Argentina (desirable); - Demonstrates ability to catalog, index and systematize various types of data (desirable); LANGUAGE: - Fluency in Spanish (required); - Confident level in English (required). SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: - Ability to assess the efficiency of information systems and generate alternative plans based on such assessments (required); - Good knowledge and understanding of the organization, management and evaluation of data institutions and information systems (desirable); - Verifiable experience using IT tools such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and related apps (required); - Confident with numbers and equations, as well as drafting reports with procedures and results. - 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; - Comfortable with teamwork and cooperation with consultants of other specialties; - 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. - Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work and uses time efficiently. - 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. OTHERS: - Consultants must have availability to travel within Argentina and abroad as needed.

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.