Environmental Advisor - Climate Finance and Transparency

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Initiative for Climate Action Transparency

The Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) helps countries better assess the impacts of their climate policies and actions, and fulfil their transparency commitments under the Paris Agreement. It does this by increasing the overall transparency capacities of countries, including the capacity to assess the contribution of climate policies and actions on countries’ development objectives, and providing appropriate methodological information and tools to support evidence-based policy-making. ICAT’s innovative approach is to integrate these two aspects.

ICAT works with over 40 developing countries worldwide to support their work on NDCs, including tracking of implementation, further policy development and related MRV. Work covers sectoral policies (renewables, energy efficiency, transport, agriculture, etc.) and cross-cutting aspects such as the link to sustainable development benefits, transformational change, and integration of actions at subnational level and by non-state actors.

ICAT is funded by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), the Italian Ministry of the Environment (IMELS) and the ClimateWorks Foundation.

Position Background

As countries move from NDC updating to NDC implementation, financing the actions required to meet NDC targets becomes of central importance. The links between evidence-based policy developments and investment planning are critical in driving this agenda. The integration of transparency or MRV frameworks with steps needed to mobilize finance have, however, not been made systematically. Filling this gap is the focus of this consultancy.

ICAT has received requests from several of its partner countries to support them in linking their MRV/transparency work to climate finance. In one country project (Peru) an assessment of private climate finance was the focus of work and included methodological work and a first application. Other countries have highlighted the challenge in mobilizing finance for NDC implementation and asked how they can set up their NDC tracking framework to facilitate finance mobilization.

Climate finance is one component under the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement. The ETF foresees reporting by developing countries on support, including finance, needed and received. Another relevant element of the Paris Agreement is its Article 2 (c) which foresees making “finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development”.

ICAT’s focus is to support the use of data for evidence-based policymaking. ICAT has published 10 guides to support policy assessment in various sectors (energy, agriculture, forestry, etc.) and for a range of topics. Policies can be assessed for their effectiveness in terms of meeting GHG emission reduction objectives, their potential to lead to transformational change (or a paradigm shift) and their impacts on socio-economic parameters (or sustainable development impacts). Assessing socio-economic impacts of climate action is essential to engage national planning and finance ministries.

These assessments conducted using the ICAT methodologies will help countries to better plan their climate policies and measures and to report under the Paris Agreement. They can also assist countries in mobilizing finance. They can demonstrate the programmatic basis for financing, which is important in accessing public finance (e.g. the GCF) and in mobilizing private finance. Private investors highlight the need for a credible policy framework as a key aspect when assessing the risk of an investment.

Countries that have a climate transparency framework in place, can compile the data needed to track implementation actions. This can feed the M&E framework that financial institutions require to track the effectiveness of investments. Common practice is, however, that finance is project-based and M&E frameworks are set up for each project in isolation and not linked to the national MRV/transparency framework. This misses the opportunity to link project-based climate finance to the programmatic level and to national climate targets, such as those set in NDCs.

Planning and finance ministries need to be engaged in order to integrate climate action in national budget processes and become part of investment mobilization efforts. These ministries and other economic actors do not understand objectives expressed in climate change terms, such as GHG levels. They need to know the impacts of climate actions on key development parameters, which is what ICAT’s Sustainable Development Methodology enables countries to assess.

This is particularly important in times of an economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The same economic/finance actors will also take decisions on spending recovery funding, and judge based on data regarding impact of actions on parameters like: job creation (short term, in line with local skills); short-term economic multiplier effects; short-term balance of trade impacts, etc. Data like this will help to integrate climate action into recovery packages, which provides an opportunity to enhance NDC actions in the recovery phase.

As countries are creating tracking frameworks for their NDCs they have an opportunity to support these NDCs through a data framework that allows to:

• Anchor them in national development planning;
• Track and report on progress, including those of implementation projects;
• Integrate them into economic recovery packages.

ICAT will collaborate with the NAMA-Facility in the context of the recently launched call for projects under the ‘Ambition Initiative’. This collaboration could provide an opportunity for some pilot activities to bridge the gap (explained above) between national, programmatic MRV/transparency frameworks and the M&E approach used for project finance.

Functional Responsibilities

The aim of the consultancy will be to scope out the work that ICAT can usefully undertake to more effectively support its partner countries and regions in linking transparency efforts to climate finance, including to identify what methodological work is required and which tools could add value.

Tasks and Outputs

Task 1: Mapping of existing methodologies on the transparency of climate finance

One chapter of the ETF foresees reporting on support needed and received, which includes climate finance. ICAT methodologies that focus on policy assessment can be expanded to cover an estimation of costs which would then be a basis for assessing financial needs for implementation of the policy. Otherwise, ICAT has no methodological support to offer on this part of the ETF.

Some methodological work is now emerging. This includes from the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) the recently published Guidelines for Building a National Landscape of Climate Finance and approaches supported inter alia by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), most notably the Climate Public Expenditure and Investment Review (CPEIR), and Private Sector Climate Expenditure and Institutional Review (PCEIR), the Investment and Financial Flows (IF&F) approach, and Climate Budget Tagging (CBT) .

Task 1 is to prepare an overview of existing methodologies and assess:

a) How useful they could be for ICAT country/regional support;

b) What gaps remain in methodological guidance and if this could be filled by ICAT;

c) Whether it would be worthwhile to expand the ICAT methodologies to support an assessment of finance needed for policy implementation.

Task 2: Scoping work on a methodology to use the transparency framework to advance on financing NDC implementation and other climate action

Based on an evaluation of existing methodologies and documentation of good practice, the second task is to develop the concept for a methodology that could provide practical guidance to developing countries to allow them to advance from the preparation of an NDC tracking framework, which is anchored in a sound transparency framework, to developing approaches and documentation (e.g. investment prospectuses) to b e used for mobilizing finance. The concept should identify the main elements that need to be addressed in such a methodology and also identify process aspects that can ensure that the methodology will be useful. The concept should also discuss whether and if so how such methodological work could address the needs of Article 2 (c) of the Paris Agreement.

Task 3: Bridging the gap between national MRV/transparency and M&E for project finance

The third task is to prepare a review of existing literature relevant for linking the monitoring of progress on national climate policy objectives to the monitoring of project implementation, in particular to identify documented good practice in this regard. Based on this, a concept for methodological guidance to achieve a closer link between national transparency/MRV frameworks and project M&E approaches should be developed. How could project M&E be more closely aligned with national MRV/transparency frameworks? How can transparency frameworks better allow for such an alignment? The concept should identify aspects to be covered and possible approaches in developing and implementing the guidance.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• An advanced university degree in environmental management/sciences, economics, finance, international relations, development studies, and/or other relevant fields for climate policies and transparency; OR
• First-level University degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree.
• A PhD in a relevant area is a distinct advantage.

Required Experience (incl. desired experience)

• At least 7 years of working experience in the area of climate change and environmental management, including at least 5 years with a focus on international climate change cooperation, climate or development finance and/or MRV/transparency;
• Experience in working and collaborating with different stakeholders desirable;
• Experience from working with developing countries desirable;
• Experience with support to project coordination and or project management desirable;
• Experience working within the UN system is an advantage;
• Report writing skills, moderation and facilitation skills area distinct advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in English (written and oral) is required.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Retainer, International Individual Contract Agreement (IICA) Contract level: ICS-12 / IICA-3 Contract duration : Short-term IICA – Maximum duration up to 60 days

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.