Regional preparatory activities linked to the UN Water Conference 2023 and the Decade of Action for Water 2018-2028

Result of Service Inputs are available to encourage the participation of the countries in the framework of the UN Water conference 2023 in the context of the International Decade for Action "Water for Sustainable Development" (2018-2028), specifically, within two high-level regional events, contributing at the same time to the different activities and products of the NRD related to SDG 6, mainly the Regional Water Dialogues of January 2023.

Work Location home based

Expected duration 8 months

Duties and Responsibilities At the current pace, the 2030 Agenda, specifically in its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 regarding clean water and sanitation, will not be achieved in Latin America and the Caribbean. If the course is to be changed, a decisive and accelerated implementation of programs is required. The 2023 United Nations Water Conference will focus precisely on this topic, in line with the progress of the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development 2018-2028”. An important factor in being able to achieve SDG 6 will be the ability of organizations and institutions, both within and outside the water community, to come together in partnership and cooperation to accelerate the implementation progress. Here, spaces for dialogue and exchange are required, as well as a comprehensive vision for the fulfilment of the commitments acquired by the countries of the region.

ECLAC, through the Water and Energy Unit of the Natural Resources Division, is working to promote a proposal for a sustainable and inclusive water transition that supports the countries of the region to: i. promote the human right to water and sanitation leaving no one behind, ii. increase equality of access and affordability, eradicating water poverty, iii. eliminate negative environmental externalities (conflicts, pollution and overexploitation) and iv. develop circular economies throughout the water value chain.

The four pillars of this proposal encompass the main regional challenges that require greater harmonization between the sectoral uses of water and the integrated management of water resources. It is in this way that ECLAC calls on the countries of the region to address their challenges and advances in water matters, in order to share experiences, mobilize cooperation and provide concrete solutions.

In this context, high-level water dialogues are needed, as a space for discussion and exchanges in the region. A regional dialogue has already been organized with Spanish speaking countries at the beginning of 2022, having high level attendees and successful outputs. In this second stage of preparation towards the UN Water Conference of 2023, sub-regional discussions are required to identify specific challenges and opportunities better reflecting the water management challenges of different sub-regions of LAC. For instance, a discussion with the countries of the Andean Community (CAN), another with Central American countries and finally with the English speaking countries of the Caribbean. Remaining South American countries will be invited as well to comment or share experiences.

ECLAC has already received a request from CAN member states to support the forthcoming Water Forum planned by the General Secretariat of the CAN. The CAN Water Forum will be focused on integrated water resources management (IWRM) and the participation of ECLAC is foreseen both for the preparation process, recommendations for policy design during the forum and the dissemination of lessons learned. It will be also an opportunity to identify key actions in the CAN countries to be shared in the 2023 United Nations Water Conference. In the Central American and Caribbean subregions, representatives of the Central American System of Integration have also expressed keen interest to engage in the preparatory process for the UN Water Conference 2023, particularly in the context of the Regional Water Dialogues that ECLAC will organize in january 2023 prior to the UN WATER Conference to be held in New York in March 2023. Lastly, an online consultation for English speaking Caribbean countries will be developed along with a special session in the upcoming Regional Water Dialogue event in January 2023 in CEPAL main premises. These sub-regional initiatives will identify main courses of action to accelerate the implementation of SDG 6 in the sub-regions, based on a sustainable and inclusive water transition. Also, they will serve as platforms to exchange knowledge and experiences in the progress of the sub-regions in fulfilling the commitments of the International Decade of Action for Water, 2018-2028 and preparing key messages for the UN Water Conference of March 2023. Under the supervision of the Economic Affairs Officer in charge of water issues of the Natural Resources Division (NRD), the consultant will develop the following activities:

A. For the Sub-regional discussion in the Andean Community (CAN): 1. Identification of relevant national experiences and key actions related to IWRM to showcase the implementation progress to achieve the SDG 6 in the CAN countries. 2. Development of technical material for the high-level sub-regional CAN Water Forum. 3. Participation in the CAN Water Forum with the regional perspective and policy recommendations for CAN countries. 4. Development of a report to summarize the results and lessons learned of the high-level sub-regional CAN Water Forum 5. Upload the results of the high-level sub-regional CAN Water Forum on ECLAC’s website and support the result’s dissemination. 6. Prepare sub-regional inputs for the regional side event of the UN 2023 Conference for the Midterm Comprehensive Review of Implementation of the Decade for Action on Water and Sanitation (2018-2028).

B. For the preparation, organization and outputs of the High-Level Caribbean Sub Regional event in the context of the Regional Water Dialogues 2023: 1. Development of the agenda and logistics, for the high-level sub-regional event. The latter includes the design of a concept note for the high-level sub-regional event to report on the activities towards the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” (2018-2028) for English speaking countries. 2. Development of content and organization of the exchange sessions between ECLAC and Caribbean member states, as well as with other organizations at the sub-regional and national levels on the targets of SDG 6. The latter includes a. the design and implementation of an online consultation in English for representatives of national and subregional institutions to learn about their activities in relation to activities they have developed towards the accomplishment of the SDG 6. b. Identification of relevant national experiences and key speakers to showcase the implementation progress to achieve the SDG 6 in the Caribbean sub region and other English speaking countries, during the high-level sub-regional event. 3. Moderation of the high-level sub-regional event that will take a hybrid format. 4. Development of a report to summarize the results and lessons learned of the high-level sub-regional events. 5. Upload the results of the high-level sub-regional events on ECLAC’s website and support the result’s dissemination. 6. Prepare regional and sub-regional inputs for the regional side event of the UN 2023 Conference for the Midterm Comprehensive Review of Implementation of the Decade for Action on Water and Sanitation (2018-2028) in line with previous regional efforts undertaken during the first semester of 2022.

C. For the preparation, organization and outputs of the High-Level Central American Sub Regional event in the context of the Regional Water Dialogues 2023: 1. Design a concept note for the high-level sub-regional event to report on the activities towards the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development” (2018-2028) in Central America in Spanish. 2. Identification of relevant national experiences and key speakers to showcase the implementation progress to achieve the SDG 6 in Central America sub region, during the high-level sub-regional event. 3. Analyze the results of the online consultation made in Spanish for the Regional Water Dialogues made at the beginning of 2022, to identify activities Central American countries have developed towards the accomplishment of the SDG 6.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced academic degree in Economics, Environment, Natural Resources, Agronomy, social sciences or related degrees. Experience: The consultant must have at least 4 years of work experience related to the economy and policy of natural resources such as water and agriculture Language: The consultant must be fluent in Spanish and English.

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.