Environment Finance Expert

Result of Service Enhanced capacities for environmental finance management for the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.

Work Location Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Expected duration 24 months

Duties and Responsibilities Organization Setting:

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 West Asia Office delivers advisory services and capacity building support to countries to achieve environment and sustainable development objectives. This consultancy announcement is meant to solicit applications for rostering purposes to serve as the pool of expertise that UNEP West Asia Office is creating within the framework of the long-term strategic partnership and the Saudi Environment Sustainability Programme with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager in UNEP West Asia Office and in coordination with the respective department in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Saudi Arabia, the expert will carry-out, inter alia, the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Analyze direct and indirect effects of economic related decisions and policies on the environment and vice versa. 2. Research topics that affect and link the economy and the environment such as pollution, soil conservation, land use, and animal conservation. 3. Predict future economic and environmental outcomes. 4. Study the long-term costs of restoring damaged and polluted environments. 5. Align financial sector strategies of MEWA with the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). 6. Identification, conceptualization, formulation, and implementation of a bankable climate-finance related project portfolio. 7. Development of top-down financing needs assessment at the macro-level to inform discussions with planning and finance authorities to identify the financing envelope. Provide strategic insights on latest developments in climate finance, covering private sector and financial actors, innovations in business models and financial products. 8. Technical advice to support countries in the region to undertake legal and regulatory reforms and develop frameworks that integrate laws and regulation which are ‚fit for purpose ‘to de-risk, unlock, mobilize, leverage and mainstream public and private climate finance. 9. Support the implementation of capacity building measures and policies. Mapping financial actors in a country. 10. Generate evidence to build a strong justification for national policymakers and the private sector to accelerate the Kingdom’s transition towards climate-smart development. 11. Provide strategic guidance on the policy directives, investments, and capacity development of public institutions needed to achieve the intended accelerated transitions. 12. Establish and strengthen network of stakeholders – state institutions, civil society and business community – for sustainable governance of a dynamic climate action plan for the province 13. Provide expertise and support to study the economic effects of environmental policies, business decisions, and privatization opportunities. 14. Designing financing instruments across public and private finance to deliver climate related outcomes. 15. Articulating financing strategy and frameworks for climate change plans including in support of Nationally Determined Contributions.

The expected outputs and deliverables are: 1. MEWA environment finance needs assessment. 2. A complete cost-effectiveness analysis for economy and environment in Saudi Arabia 3. Financial instruments for public and private sector. 4. Series of capacity building and training workshops on environment finance. 5. A report on economic effects of environmental policies in KSA 6. A training course on economic valuation and environment for MEWA staff. 7. Final report on environmental finance in KSA.

Qualifications/special skills PhD or master’s degree or equivalent in climate change, environmental science, environmental finance or related fields is required.

Minimum of 10 years of professional technical experience in the field of environment finance is required.

Knowledge of environmental finance in Saudi Arabia is an asset

Experience working in West Asia is desirable.

Languages Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of French is desirable

Additional Information This consultancy announcement is meant to solicit applications for rostering purposes to serve as the pool of expertise.

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.