Environmental management and support technician

Result of Service The consultancy will provide support to REDD+ Program Officer of the UNEP Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and work in close collaboration with the General Directorate of Environmental Quality Control and Natural Resources, DGCCARN in the processing of applications for the different investment projects that are presented to MADES that require the presentation of Environmental Impact Assessment, Reports Environmental Management Plan Compliance Audit, or Generic Environmental Management Plan Records. The consultant will develop the detailed activities: - Provide technical insight in order to prepare a progress report on files containing the Environmental Impact Studies and Environmental Management Plan evaluated in the period. - Provide support to prepare a report with information on rejected files, causes, and proposed adjustments. - Prepare progress reports on files evaluated in the period. - Systematize information collected in the period, including lessons learned. - Work in coordination with other initiatives carried out with the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development, which are linked to the project's objectives. - Maintain fluid communication through the corresponding channels of the project. - Any other activity within the framework of their position that the Program Officer and/or Project Coordinator of the Paarguay +Verde Project requires. - Write a final consultancy report.

Work Location Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development offices, MADES Asunción, Paraguay

Expected duration 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities 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).

In 2017, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) approved its REDD+ policy worth a $500 million funding envelope, accompanied by a detailed and comprehensive process for countries to request results-based payments (RBPs). In November 2019, and with the support of UNEP as Accredited Entities (AEs), Paraguay received USD 50 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions between 2015 and 2017.

The project Results-base Payment, now named Paraguay + Verde project, has two objectives, to support the implementation of the National Forest Strategy for Sustainable Growth (ENBCS) and the capitalization of the Climate Change Fund (FCC). The ENBCS and FCC aim to reduce the GHG emissions from land-use change and apply financial resources to support the implementation of climate change action. The project is implemented jointly with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADES for its acronym in Spanish) and the agencies of the UN-REDD Programme (UNDP, UNEP, and FAO) in Paraguay. The project foresees the strengthening of the capacities of state institutions for forest monitoring and management, including the development and implementation of early warning systems for fires and deforestation, territorial planning and the participation of indigenous peoples, the private sector and rural communities, and the promotion of sustainable forest management agricultural and livestock practices. Additionally, the project provides inputs to the National Climate Change Fund as financial instruments for financing initiatives that reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and strengthen the institutions involved.

The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, MADES, enforces LAW 294/93 Environmental Impact Assessment, and the Environmental Quality and Natural Resources Control Directorate (DGCCARN) oversees its application. Article 1 of the LAW states that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must be provided when human activities "modify the environment that has positive or negative, direct or indirect consequences, affect life in general, biodiversity, the quality or a significant quantity of natural or environmental resources and their use, well-being, health, personal safety, habits and customs, cultural heritage, and livelihoods. Furthermore, the EIA must be submitted for new human settlements, colonization, and urbanizations; agricultural, livestock, forestry, and farm operations; the production of charcoal and other power generators; construction, clearing, and excavation works; and rational use of native forests, wild flora, and fauna, among other activities. The EIA must be accompanied by an Environmental Management Plan (EMP), which describes actions to correct or mitigate possible adverse impacts foreseen in the project.

Legal land use change to turn forest into pasture or crops must also summit an EIA with a proper EMP. Land use change implies losses of forest areas with their corresponding increases in greenhouse gas emissions, GHG. It is of interest to the Paraguay+Verde project to obtain information about the change in legal land use and the measures that are proposed in the EIA and their level of compliance. The information obtained could also set the guidelines for developing legal and/or financial stimuli to reduce the loss of forested areas and GHG emissions.

The Project will hire a consultant to work in close collaboration with the DCGCARN to monitor changes in forest use. The Consultant will be supervised by the REDD+ Program Officer of the UNEP Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.and will work 40 hours per week full-time at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development offices, MADES. The Consultant must coordinate daily work with the General Directorate for Environmental Quality Control and Natural Resources - DEVIA (DGCCARN) of MADES. The report will help the Project institute some incentives and determine possible demands for environmental services that imply the purchase of Environmental Services certificates in line with what the Project seeks.

Qualifications/special skills Bachelor´s degree in Environmental Engineering, Forestal Engineering or any other related field. (required) With at least two (2) years of professional experience related to support and/or prepare impact assessment plans, reports, and others documents. (required) Knowledge of the Paraguayan legislation related to the environment or land use and other legislations relate to the consultancy. (desirable) Manage of Office Package (Excel, Word, Power point, etc.) (desirable)

Languages - Fluent in Spanish (required) - Confident in English (desirable)

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.