Expert on mineral resources

Result of Service 1. Mapping of relevant intergovernmental principles for critical energy transition minerals. 2. Zero draft concept note ‘Common Voluntary Guidelines on Critical Minerals. 3. Inputs to a zero draft ‘Common Voluntary Guidelines on Critical Minerals.

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration 7 months

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP/New York Office is a bridge builder, specialized in establishing and maintaining critical links with the UN Secretariat, UN organizations and entities headquartered in New York, Permanent Missions to the UN, civil society organizations, academic institutions and others. The New York Office (NYO) provides strategic policy guidance in the context of the UN's work on sustainable development. The NY Office is also responsible for coordinating UNEP's input to the Secretary General's Working Group on Transforming the Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development.

The Secretary General’s Working Group on Transforming the Extractive Industries for Sustainable Development, co-chaired by UNEP, UNDP, and the Regional Economic Commissions, was created in 2021 to coordinate UN’s work on extractive industries. In 2023, the Working Group launched an initiative entitled ‘Harnessing Critical Energy Transition Minerals for Sustainable Development in Least Developed and Land-Locked Developing Countries - Just Transitions in Low Carbon Technologies’. The main objectives of this initiative are to support and accelerate a just energy transition through minerals; and identify and support the implementation of measures that can enable structural economic transformation; promote sustainable development, maximizing benefits for local communities along the supply chain, while minimizing negative environmental and social impacts. One of the main deliverables of the initiative will be a UN Framework on Just Transitions for Critical Energy Transition Minerals. The framework will include a set of overarching Common Voluntary Guidelines as well as areas of action with concrete measures to transform and/or develop a responsible and sustainable critical mineral sector in mineral-rich developing countries. The Common Voluntary Guidelines will be developed under the leadership of the Secretary General’s Climate Action Team with support from an interagency technical team. The consultant will support the UNEP NYO in the preparation of the Common Voluntary Guidelines.

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer of the Interagency and Intergovernmental Affairs of UNEP/New York Office. Specific tasks and responsibilities include: 1. Participate in technical meetings and consultations as needed. 2. Prepare a comprehensive mapping of relevant intergovernmental principles that could be relevant to critical energy transition minerals. 3. Prepare a zero draft concept note ‘Common Voluntary Guidelines on Critical Minerals’ in coordination with other members of the technical team. 4. Provide inputs for a zero draft ‘Common Voluntary Guidelines on Critical Minerals’ based on feedback from partners and countries.

Qualifications/special skills Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental sciences, geology, industrial or environmental engineering, ecological economics or a related field. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience working at the international level in areas related to mineral resources and sustainable development. Relevant experience in conducting research, writing, and working in coordination with governments, UN agencies and private sector actors on mineral-related initiatives is highly desired.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

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.