SLCP Implementation and Monitoring Consultant (Dominican Republic)

Result of Service The ultimate result of services is the i) development of implementation pathways for key SLCP mitigation measures in Dominican Republic and identification of concrete actions needed for the measures to be taken forward, and ii) the development of the methodologies for the inclusion and continuous updating of black carbon and air pollutants in the national GHG inventory system and in climate change MRV systems, and setting up indicators for tracking the progress on the implementation of specific SLCP mitigation measures and the co-benefits of climate action on air quality and health. The work of the national consultant will be done in close collaboration with the National Climate Change Council and Ministry of Environment and other relevant institutions to build technical capacity within national institutions who can sustain the project into the future.

Work Location Remote

Expected duration 6 months of work over a 7 month period, starting in December 2021 and ending in June 2022

Duties and Responsibilities The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is a partnership of governments, intergovernmental organizations, and representatives of the private sector, the environmental community, and other members of civil society.

The CCAC is the only international body working on integrated climate and clean air solutions to reduce the rate of near-term warming. It focuses on fast action to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) including methane, black carbon, HFCs and tropospheric ozone.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) hosts the Secretariat at the Economy Division in Paris.

In December 2020 the CCAC adopted a 2030 Strategy, redoubling its efforts to deliver concrete, public health, food security, environmental, and economic benefits, while simultaneously slowing the rate of near-term temperature change.

Working under the supervision of the National Climate Change Council and Ministry of Environment, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

A: Development of policy analysis and implementation pathways for SLCP mitigation actions in Dominican Republic

In the LEAP-IBC analysis, 6 mitigation measures were identified to reduce SLCPs, that are contained within existing plans and strategies in the Dominican Republic. The aim of this activity is to undertake a policy analysis to identify i) implementation pathways for these mitigation measures, and ii) to identify additional mitigation actions that could be taken to further reduce emissions, improve air quality and mitigate climate change. As part of this activity, the following sub-activities will be undertaken:

A.1 Assessment of SLCP mitigation actions from international and national studies and their relevance in the Dominican Republic context, A.2 Review plans, policies, strategies and laws in Dominican Republic and identify their effectiveness for reducing SLCP emissions. A.3 Identify concrete implementation pathways for priority SLCP mitigation measures in key source sectors (transport, waste, residential, electricity generation, industry, agriculture etc.) A.4 Produce report summarizing implementation actions for SLCPs in Dominican Republic

1st deliverable – December 31, 2021: Detailed workplan for the project, including objectives, tasks, process discussed and approved by the Ministry of Environment and National Climate Change Council (Spanish).

2nd deliverable – February 2022 – Report with a review of: SLCP mitigation actions from international and national studies and their relevance for the Dominican Republic, best practices from countries which have enhanced action on SLCPs and which have an advanced coordination mechanism of SLCP issues, and list of SLCP mitigation actions for further development into funding proposals and for presentation to national and international finance mechanisms (Spanish).

3rd deliverable – March 2022 – Report with review of existing plans, strategies, policies in Dominican Republic and their effectiveness for SLCP mitigation (Spanish).

4th deliverable – April 2022 – Workshop report on training for the preparation and implementation of SLCPs projects based on list under 2nd deliverable (Spanish).

5th deliverable – May 2022 – Report with implementation pathways and roadmaps for prioritized SLCP mitigation actions including analysis of capacity, technology, finance, synergy needs and gaps for implementation and monitoring; Recommendations for inputs on SLCP mitigation to NDC action plan(Spanish).

6th deliverable – May 2022 - Develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress in SLCP mitigation.

B: Integration of black carbon and other air pollutants within climate change MRV framework The architecture of the Dominican Republic’s climate change MRV system is still being defined. This provides a good opportunity to ensure that Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, and co-benefits for air pollution can be integrated into the monitoring system, so that these pollutants can be tracked over time. The first SLCP emission inventory was developed as part of the first phase of SNAP initiative support. This activity would ensure that the climate change MRV system includes SLCPs, and specifically, that black carbon and other air pollutants are quantified as part of this system.

To accomplish this, the following sub-activities will be undertaken: B.1 Review and update SLCP emission inventory with new data B.2 Develop reports and protocols for inclusion of black carbon and other air pollutants within climate change MRV system (e.g. identify appropriate emission factors)

7th deliverable – June 2022: Report with review and update of SLCP emission inventory (including new activity data in key sectors, updated emission factors etc.); methodology proposal for QA/QC process of SLCP emission inventory and for documenting and archiving data for the inventory and projections, with LEAP IBC tool; report on how black carbon and other air pollutants can be included in national GHG inventory and in national climate change MRV system (Spanish).

C: Update LEAP-IBC analysis to assess air pollution mitigation actions The Air Quality Division of the Ministry of Environment is undertaking a large number of actions designed to improve air quality in Dominican Republic. These include identifying the contribution of major sources such as heavy-duty diesel transport, and household energy, as well as identifying mitigation options, such as use of LPG and natural gas, vehicle emission standards and standards for fuel quality and the collection and treatment of waste. These actions could substantially improve air quality, and also reduce greenhouse gases. The LEAP-IBC analysis developed could be extended to assess these wider set of mitigation policies and measures to more comprehensively assess those actions that could have greatest benefit for air pollution and climate change mitigation.

Within this activity, the following sub-activities will be undertaken: C.1 Update LEAP-IBC analysis with latest available data C.2 Identify all mitigation measures being considered to improve air quality. C.3 Model implementation of mitigation measures using LEAP-IBC and assess air pollution and climate change benefits from their implementation. C.4 Write report updating results from LEAP-IBC analysis.

8th deliverable – June 2022: Report with review and update of LEAP IBC analysis including new data in key sectors and revised baseline projections to align with NDC revision; Documentation of updated LEAP IBC model to estimate implementation of key air pollution mitigation measures (Spanish).

9th deliverable – June 2022: Summary Executive Report of the seven previous deliverables (Spanish).

The Coalition’s SNAP Initiative (Supporting National Action & Planning on Short-lived climate pollutants), set up in 2013, assists partners in resolving the multiple challenges involved in scaling-up action on short-lived climate pollutants at national scale, such as the lack of data, coordinating capacity, and policy and strategic awareness. It has supported 16 countries in undertaking a national planning process on short-lived climate pollutants.

The Dominican Republic has recently submitted their revised Nationally Determined Contribution, which increased climate change mitigation ambition in the Dominican Republic. Within this revised NDC, Dominican Republic also highlighted the importance and opportunity of considering Short-Lived Climate Pollutants within their revised NDC.

The consideration of SLCPs within Dominican Republic’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution was based on an assessment of SLCP mitigation options conducted by the National Climate Change Council, the Ministry of Environment, and the Stockholm Environment Institute with support from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition Supporting National Action & Planning (SNAP initiative).

The Coalition’s SNAP Initiative is now seeking a Consultant to define implementation pathways for the key SLCP measures and to integrate SLCPs and air pollution into the climate change MRV framework in Dominican Republic.

Qualifications/special skills Skills: - Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholder groups including national governments. - Excellent communication skills (written and oral presentations). Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (at least Master or equivalent) in environmental sciences, earth sciences or social sciences or a similar discipline. Experience: - At least 4 years of professional experience, including at least 2 years working in a field relevant to climate change, air pollution or environment. - Demonstrated ability to provide technical assistance to governments and project coordination - Relevant experience in project coordination/development within govermental institutions will be an asset (Technical Reports). - Previous experience in development of analysis related to greenhouse gas and/or air pollutant mitigation Language: Fluency in Spanish and English (written and spoken) is essential.

Additional Information International travel will not be required for this consultancy.

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.