Green/Climate Finance Consultant

Result of Service Objectives.

Climate change disproportionately threatens the sustainable development of Suriname, and therefore it must be repeatedly emphasized that urgent action is imperative. The commitment of stakeholders to act is also urgent. The JP proposes use of a ‘green agreement’ as a key tool to demonstrate commitment by stakeholders and to comply with Suriname's international climate commitments. Suriname updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2020 with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which is also developing an NDC Investment Plan and assessing options for including climate change criteria in budgeting and decision-making.

Based on the above, the Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment (ROM) is planning to convene a High-Level National Conference in 2022 to present and discuss with stakeholders, the NDC investment in the context of project and capacity building needs, business opportunities, and implementation modalities. The SDG JP PUNOs have committed to supporting the Government in its Conference planning and delivery. The Conference is expected to serve as the culminating event for a range of national actions including the completion of the NDC Investment Plan, drafting of a National Climate Agreement, among others. The Conference is expected to attract a range of national stakeholders from across economic sectors in Suriname, the private sector, civil society groups, donors and development partners.

The SDG JP PUNOs have also identified the national conference as potentially providing good opportunities for advancing work on the development of a green agreement and the JP’s main outcome – a sustainable financing roadmap to help achieve Suriname’s national development priorities and COVID-19 recovery.

The Consultant is therefore expected to forge good working arrangements and deep collaboration with local stakeholders to achieve the consultancy objectives.

The Consultant will conduct the following activities and deliver on the expected work outputs as indicated below:

i) Research, assess and propose suitable and enabling financial and/or public policy criteria: The objective is to research existing and enabling policy frameworks/protocols in the LAC (or other) region for the best lessons and to establish in Suriname good signals and incentives for needed reforms; to promote knowledge of and access to sustainable financing; to develop criteria for prioritizing or improving project design and for better access to project funding and financing. Recommendations made for the content and structuring of a draft agreement should align to relevant and existing national policies, encourage private investment and embed appropriate SDG targets and indicators.

ii) Develop a report of a green/climate stakeholder agreement: The purpose of the report agreement is to encourage broad stakeholder commitment around a common objective/s for achieving the country’s national climate policy ambition, in partnership with the Government of Suriname. The Agreement is intended to establish a social compact between the private and public financial sector and might ultimately be validated/declared/signed at the proposed high-level National Conference. The Agreement must also have the expressed support of the Ministry of Spatial Planning & Environment (ROM) particularly in relation to any required minimum standards and recommended policy reforms. The Consultant will be expected to work closely with UNEP/UNEP FI’s consultant “Coordinator for financial sector engagement and dialogues”, when engaging financial sector actors.

iii) Recommendations for Suriname’s Sustainable Financing Roadmap: The Roadmap is a framework instrument for financing development projects for the consideration of the Government of Suriname. Its purpose is to pilot a model framework for investment in achievable projects within the JP’s priority sectors – the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), forest/forest value chains and financial sector. The Roadmap should reflect stakeholder needs, inputs and priorities, as collated from the national dialogues, articulate Suriname’s short-, medium- and long-term development financing needs, and identify a pipeline of impact-driven, gender-responsive investments for the JP’s priority sectors. The Consultant will also develop guidance for assessing or mitigating risks and identifying, inter alia, business, employment, capacity building and/or training opportunities.

The Consultant will work closely with staff of the UN RCO in Suriname, the SDG Joint Programme Project Management Unit, the PUNOs (UNDP, UNEP/UNEP-FI, FAO, UNFPA) and their consultants in the delivery of the above objectives and will be provided access to all available and relevant reports and materials, including any early indications of the proposed Roadmap.

Outputs/Work Assignments.

i) Research, assess and propose suitable and enabling financial and/or public policy criteria. Product No. 1: A report on main research findings and recommendations for incentivizing policy reforms and strengthening the enabling environment for financing development in Suriname. The report will be approved by the Head, UNEP’s Caribbean Sub-Regional Office.

ii) Develop the ‘zero draft’ of a green/climate stakeholder agreement. Product No. 2: A report of the main high-level conference document developed from achieved stakeholder consensus. The report will be approved by the Head, UNEP’s Caribbean Sub-Regional Office. Product No. 3: Power Point slide deck of minimum 20 slides with graphic illustrations presenting the main research findings and the structure of the ‘zero draft’ agreement for presentations at the high-level national conference.

iii) Recommendations for Suriname’s Sustainable Financing Roadmap Product No. 4: A report presenting a roadmap of recommended financing and investment priorities for the short-, medium, and/or long terms. The report will be approved by the Head, UNEP’s Caribbean Sub-Regional Office.

Work Location Home-based.

Expected duration Six (6) months.

Duties and Responsibilities Purpose.

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).

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Joint Fund established by the UN Secretariat aims to stimulate integrated and transformative policy shifts and support the creation of SDG financing strategies. In this regard the Joint Programme (JP), “Roadmap for a Sustainable Financial System for Suriname” is supporting the country to reorient the flow of international and local resources toward more inclusive and gender responsive sustainable actions (i.e. banking, public and private sector investments). Additionally, the JP will strengthen the capacities of public authorities and the broader ecosystem that can lead to a pipeline of impact-driven investments for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Suriname.

The JP is coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and implemented by participating UN agencies (PUNOs), UNDP and UNEP (joint leads), UNFPA and FAO. The PUNOs are accountable for the Programme’s implementation and achievement of results through a cohesive approach that maximizes synergies and results. Profiting from the multi-country office setup, the PUNOs leverage know-how, capacities and resources in an efficient manner, considering the broad coverage of the four PUNOs in the wider Caribbean and their networks of initiatives around sustainable development or similar areas in the region. The work performed by all four PUNOs is highly recognized by the four national implementing Government partners, as there is long-standing collaboration in areas such as climate change, agriculture and mining etc., with outstanding results that have yielded additional investments or opportunities.

As other PUNOs, UNEP has a responsibility to ensure high quality technical assistance for the accomplishment of the agreed results and to facilitate an enabling environment that promotes synergies and optimization of results throughout JP implementation. Actions are aimed at guaranteeing sustainability and scalability of results through the technical assistance and implementation support of UNEP’s Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), with its financing tools.

UNEP is seeking to recruit a talented and motivated Consultant with expertise in sustainable, green/climate financing and project development. The Consultant will be home-based and her/his activities will be supervised by the Head of UNEP Caribbean Sub-Regional Office.

Qualifications/special skills Academic: - Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, finance &/or business development, with experience in either environment/ocean-based science, sustainability, marine economy-related development or a related environmental field is required.

- A Bachelor’s degree in combination with 5 years relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: - A minimum of five years of progressively responsible work experience is required in sustainable finance and policy regulations is required.

- Experience working in/with public policies and with the financial sector is required.

- Experience working in international contexts is a plus.

- Additional experience in the development of innovative financing mechanism/strategies, resource mobilization, and/or the green/blue economy/SDGs will be an asset.

- An understanding of the current challenges, realities, needs and opportunities facing sustainable finance in Suriname &/or the Caribbean is highly desirable.

- Research/writing skills are desirable.

- Previous work experience in the UN system is an advantage. Knowledge of other United Nations languages especially those used in the Caribbean is an asset.

Language: - Fluency in Dutch and English is required for this position.

Skills: The candidate should have proven ability in project development and financing and ability to handle multiple activities simultaneously and in an organized and timely manner. He/she should be able to work independently and have strong problem-solving abilities. Furthermore, the candidate should have a track record of delivering consistently high-quality outputs as well as strong analytical and conceptual skills. Expertise in sustainable develop and SDG indicators and targets is essential. An understanding of the current challenges and opportunities facing sustainable development in Suriname is highly desirable, as well as a reasonable understanding of the Caribbean sub-region's realities and needs.

- Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

- Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Academic Qualifications: - Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, finance &/or business development, with experience in either environment/ocean-based science, sustainability, marine economy-related development or a related environmental field is 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.