Expert in Environmental Economics

Environment

Overview

Support climate and environmental policies in economic design

You have:

• Bachelor's degree in economics.
• 5 years of demonstrated professional competence in the areas of economics and the environment.
• Fluency in Spanish, as well as confident level of English are required.
• Competence in a statistical computer package (like Stata) or a programming language used in data analysis.
• Postgraduate degree in economics, statistics, environmental economics, sustainable development will be an asset.
• Knowledge in the economics and policies of Climate Change, biodiversity conservation and environmental policy in less developed countries is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in data analysis and policy reports will be an asset.

Result of Service Support to the MEF Environment team in the inclusion of climate and environmental policy objectives in the design of economic policy. This includes supporting tasks such as:

1. Proposal for a tax structure transition on the road to de-carbonization of the economy and biodiversity conservation. 1.1. Analyzing the tax and subsidy base to determine its carbon share and its impact on biodiversity conservation. 1.2. Proposing timeframe and type of key changes to tax base to prevent its erosion with decarbonization. 1.3. Proposing changes to the subsidy scheme of agricultural production to prevent incentives that hinder biodiversity conservation.

2. Proposal of alternatives and design of carbon pricing schemes. 2.1. review of alternatives, based on international experiences. 2.2. selection of best ones based on Uruguayan capacities and sectors.

3. Assessing the impact of climate and environmental measures in the Uruguayan trade. 3.1. Keeping track of developments regarding the incorporation of border carbon adjustment mechanisms in the trade agenda and other measures at the intersection of trade and environment; and 3.2. Analyze its impact in Uruguay trade.

4. Supporting the international agenda of the MEF, in particular the Minister´s presidency of the Development Committee of IMF/WB and the work of the MEF in the carbon pricing working group of the Coalition of Finance Minister for Climate Action.

A. Proposal for a tax structure transition Product 1: A document containing (a) a proposal for a tax structure transition on the road to the de-carbonization of the economy and towards the fulfillment of the national objectives of biodiversity conservation, including (b) a proposal for a short-term decouple of the subsidy base from environmental externalities.

B. Proposal of alternatives and design of carbon pricing schemes Product 2: Document synthesizing (a) review of alternatives for carbon pricing; and (b) a proposal of alternative carbon pricing schemes and its design.

C. Analysis of developments regarding the incorporation of border carbon adjustment mechanisms in the trade agenda and other measures at the intersection of trade and environment Product 3: Document containing (a) a description and analysis of developments regarding the incorporation of border carbon adjustment mechanisms and other international measures at the intersection of trade and environment; (b) an analysis of the possible impacts of these measures on the trade flows of Uruguay.

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration 5 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 (LAC), 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). UNEP´s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. The Resource Efficiency (RE) Unit at ROLAC develops and strengthens green economy and sustainable consumption and production patterns and practices, through its portfolio which currently includes 28 projects on consumer information, sustainable public procurement, eco-innovation, sustainable tourism and circular economy in 33 countries. As part of its portfolio, the RE Unit is contributing to the implementation of the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) portfolio in the Region. The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), an interagency initiative involving the International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports nations and regions in reframing economic policies and practices around sustainability to foster economic growth, create income and jobs, reduce poverty and inequality, and strengthen the ecological foundations of their economies. Since 2017, Uruguay has been part of PAGE. Uruguay seeks to contribute to national planning for development by promoting the incorporation of the green economy into public policies in key sectors. The Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM) is PAGE Uruguay's focal point. The MIEM is responsible for designing and implementing government policies to promote the transformation and strengthening of the productive sector for sustainable and inclusive development. The Minister of Economy and Finance (MEF) is working on mainstreaming climate change and biodiversity in the design and implementation economic, fiscal and public finance policies. In this sense, the Ministry is advancing in the design of a sustainable sovereign bond and a tax/subsidy structure consistent with national environmental policy objectives, among other lines of work. In addition, this year the Minister is chairing the Development Committee of the World Bank and IMF, and the MEF is participating actively in the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action (with a special commitment in the Carbon Pricing working group (Helsinki Principle 3). The purpose of this consultancy is to promote and strengthen the green economy line of work within the Ministry of Economy and Finance and its articulation with other ministries and organizations. The RE Unit in ROLAC is looking for a mid-level, home-based, consultant to design a Sustainability Reporting framework at the national level aimed at SMEs, as described above.

The consultancy will be supervised by the Programme Management Officer in RE Unit, who will work in close coordination with the Ministry of Economics and Finance´s Environment team. The consultant will work home-based from where she/he will implement the tasks mentioned above. He/She is expected to hold weekly meetings with the government counterparts and supervisor.

Qualifications/special skills Skills: Competence in a statistical computer package (like Stata) or a programming language used in data analysis. Competence in a word processor and spreadsheet software program for data visualization and analysis. Academic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in economics.

Postgraduate degree in, economics, statistics, environmental economics, sustainable development will be an asset. Experience: 5 years of demonstrated professional competence in the areas of economics and the environment. Knowledge in the economics and policies of Climate Change, biodiversity conservation and environmental policy in less developed countries is an advantage. Demonstrated experience in data analysis and policy reports will be an asset. Language: Fluency in Spanish, as well as Confident level of English are required.

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.

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Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org