Legal Expert in Carbon Markets for Argentina’s Transparency Framework on GHG Inventories and Mitigation Project

Consultant Environment Finance & Economy

Contract

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Result of Service

CBIT’s most important contribution will be to strengthen Argentina’s reporting capacities so as to adequately comply with the requirements of the Enhanced Transparency Framework through the new reporting format under the Paris Agreement: the Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR). In order to carry out the activities of Argentina’s CBIT project it requires the hiring of a Legal Expert in Carbon Markets.

Ultimate Result of the Service:

− The national legal framework linked to carbon markets in the NDC and the LTS is analyzed and improved.

− The mapping of private stakeholders to work with and obtain input on the legal nature of carbon in Argentina is developed.

− The working process and its instances of exchange with the different stakeholders to implement the National Carbon Market Strategy is formalized.

− The training and awareness of public sector stakeholders, within the framework of the National Climate Change Cabinet and the External Advisory Council, was carried out.

− The exchange with subnational authorities to develop a roadmap for the National Carbon Market Strategy is carried out.

− The national capacities regarding carbon markets and their implementation at national and subnational level are enhanced.

− Generate inputs to develop a roadmap for the proposal of the National Carbon Market Strategy to meet the NDC target. The proposal of the National Carbon Market Strategy will be provided by the NCCD.

− Develop a report including a proposal for the implementation of the national carbon legal framework.

− Promote technical exchanges with public sector stakeholders about the national legal framework for carbon markets.

− Collaborate in the development of the national position on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

− Develop and periodically update a stakeholder’s map of possible private stakeholders related to carbon markets in Argentina.

− Analyze the progress made at the international level regarding cooperative approaches of Articles 6.2 and 6.4 of the Paris Agreement.

− Identify and provide technical advice on bilateral initiatives to achieve national mitigation goals on the countries´ NDC and LTS and objectives for potential 6.2 agreements.

− Provide legal advice to the experts related to carbon markets.

− Analyze alongside the National Directorate of Climate Change of Argentina possible partnerships for the implementation of Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement.

− Analyze the progress made at the international level regarding Article 6.8 of the Paris Agreement.

− Promote technical exchange with subnational authorities to promote transparency at national reports regarding the implementation of Article 6.

Work Location

Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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. 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 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 Argentine Republic ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1994 (Law No. 24,295), the Kyoto Protocol in September 2001 (Law No. 25,438) and the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol in May 2015 (Law No. 27,137). As a signatory of the UNFCCC, the country undertook obligations including the report of the national greenhouse gases inventories, national programs with mitigation and adaptation actions against climate change and any other relevant information regarding the fulfilment of the objective of the UNFCCC. As part of the country’s undertaken obligations, Argentina submitted its First National Communication in July 1997, and a revised communication in October 1999. The Second National Communication was submitted in December 2007 and the Third National Communication and the First Biennial Updated Report (BUR) were both submitted in December 2015. The Second BUR was submitted in August of 2017, the Third BUR was presented to the UNFCCC in November 2019 and the Fourth BUR was presented in December 2021.

In December 2015 during the 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21), the Paris Agreement (PA) was adopted; its article No. 2 established the objective of “holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels”. In September 2016, Argentina ratified the Paris Agreement (Law No. 27,270), then in December 2019, the National Congress approved the National Law No. 27,520 on Global Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation. Finally, in December 2020, the country submitted its 2nd Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) which reflects its enhanced commitment to combat climate change and its effects. Argentina´s 2nd NDC outlines an absolute economy-wide reduction target of limiting its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions to 359 MtCO2e (Megatons of Carbon Dioxide – equivalent) by 2030.

One of the most relevant challenges the implementation of the Paris Agreement poses to countries is to count with strong Transparency Frameworks. Article No.13 of the PA establishes the need for Parties to implement national robust and transparent reporting and accounting systems to give clarity on action and support while providing clear information to stakeholders. As part of building and enhancing their Transparency Frameworks, Parties of the UNFCCC Convention will progressively implement better tools and institutional practices, many of them not sufficiently developed in the countries. This is especially true for developing countries.

The UNFCCC Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) demands substantial and immediate progress in the countries’ domestic Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems and strategic de-carbonization planning. This entails moving from often disintegrated and often different-methodological approaches in data management to an integrated and robust system. The success of the Paris Agreement hinges on enhanced transparency of action and support, as a critical foundation to making its bottom-up, country-led approach work, as well as building mutual trust and confidence amongst Parties.

The Global Environment Facility - Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (GEF-CBIT) will support the Argentinian government for four years, mainly in strengthening its ETF. This will happen by improving the accuracy, completeness and consistency of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventories and increasing its capacities to domestically track and evaluate mitigation measures and related finance support received and provided, as well as generating the technical inputs needed for medium and long-term planning contributing to the improvement of climate-related decision-making in the country. In order to achieve this objective, Argentina’s GEF-CBIT project, which was approved in July of 2019, is organized into three components:

• National and subnational GHG inventory System
• Domestic tracking of mitigation actions and support received
• Medium and long-term projections

In this sense, the Climate Change Unit of UNEP is recruiting a Legal Expert in Carbon Markets to strengthen Argentina’s reporting capacities so as to adequately comply with the requirements of the Enhanced Transparency Framework-ETF through the new reporting format under the Paris Agreement: the Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR). The incumbent will work from Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, full time in the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Argentina and he/she will be supervised by the Coordinator of Energy Efficiency of UNEPs Climate Change Unit of the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office. He/she will work in close collaboration with the National Climate Change Directorate (NCCD) within the Secretariat of Environment, Sustainable Development and Innovation of Argentina’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MAyDS).

Qualifications/special skills

ACADEMIC:

− Bachelor’s degree in law, or similar university degree relevant to carbon markets, climate finance and/or environment and national development (required);

− Postgraduate degree in Environmental areas specially related to GHG accounting, climate change policy and/or carbon markets (desirable);

PROFESSIONAL:

− 4 years of experience in areas of work related to environmental policy, natural resource management, development and/or climate change (required);

− Verifiable professional experience of at least 2 years, within the 4 years of professional experience, related to activities within public environmental law and climate change (desirable);

− Demonstrates good understanding of Argentina’s national policy related to climate change and national framework with particular focus on carbon markets (desirable);

− Experience in participation in the processes of development and implementation of public policies regarding compliance with the NDCs in Argentina (desirable);

− Experience working with, and building partnerships with public and private sector both national and subnational (desirable);

LANGUAGE:

− Fluent in Spanish (required)

− Fluent level of writing, reading, and editing skills in English is desirable.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

− Excellent knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to global and national politics and its links to climate change mitigation and adaptation (required);

− Good knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches on sustainable development; 2030 agenda and transparency and MRV (desirable);

− Verifiable experience using of IT tools such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Power Point) and related apps. (required);

− Experience using Generador Electrónico de Documentos Oficiales (GEDO) (desirable);

− Relationship skills with public and private sector officials (desirable);

COMPETENCIES

PROBLEM SOLVING:

− Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems;

− 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; Shows leadership capacities;

− Comfortable with teamwork and cooperation with consultants of other specialties;

OTHER: − Experience in teamwork, with recognition in the field of their specialty to cooperate with consultants of other specialties;

− Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; 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.

− 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.

OTHERS:

− Consultant must have availability to travel within Argentina and abroad as needed.

Languages

Not available.

Additional Information

Not available.

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 months ago - Updated 4 months ago - Source: careers.un.org