Socio-economist technical consultant for the resilient and sustainable long-term climate actions in Panama

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

Output 1. Identify the priority sectors and sub-sectors for implementing enhanced climate actions and provide a detailed analysis of the costs and benefits of each action. Provide recommendations for the most effective and efficient use of resources to make Panama more climate resilient and long-term sustainable.

Product No. 1. An inception report detailing the proposed approaches and specific work plan to achieve the detailed deliverables. The document should encompass the following: • Definition of the project's scope by identifying the key action points and specifying the stakeholders required to complete the project. • Conduct a needs assessment to gather information on MiAmbiente's requirements, goals, and expectations. This information should be collected through meetings and interviews. • Develop a work plan with the proposed approach in mind. It should also identify any potential risks and mitigation strategies.

Product No. 2. A document containing a cost-benefit analysis of selected enhanced climate actions in at least five sectors of Panama's NDC (agreed on with MiAmbiente). The report will provide an in-depth analysis of the costs and benefits of implementing these enhanced climate actions.

The completed cost-benefit analysis report will be a valuable tool for policymakers and stakeholders in Panama seeking to enhance their climate action efforts in a cost-effective and impactful manner.

Product No. 3. A report with an assessment document of the budget and cost structure for implementing the adaptive and mitigation measures in Panama (identified in Product 2), which aim to make Panama more climate resilient and long-term sustainable. The report will provide an in-depth analysis of the costs associated with implementing adaptive and mitigation measures, in the short-term and long-term, including costs related to their implementation and the longer-term monitoring of their effectiveness in light of continued change and the availability of new climate change data. (Work alongside Loss and Damage consultant).

• Meet with relevant stakeholders to understand the current context on decision-making on climate change in Panama and to identify priority sectors and sub-sectors for implementing enhanced climate actions in the country.

• Identify barriers and opportunities, as well as the costs of implementing these enhanced climate actions.

• Provide recommendations for support actions and synergies with existing support programs at national and regional levels.

Work Location

Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Economy and Finance located in Panama City, Panama.

Expected duration

5 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. Its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

Throughout UNEP's work, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change marks a turning point to an emerging climate regime that brings all the states and actors together to a new global platform to address the growing risks to our planet.

The climate crisis continues to affect the planet and threatens to become irreversible, impacting the territories and populations of Panama and the rest of the world. To comply with the Paris Agreement, Panama has developed a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and a Long-Term Climate Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change.

Due to climate change, Panama faces deforestation, coastal erosion, and water scarcity challenges. These challenges have consequences for biodiversity, tourism, and infrastructure. However, Panama is one of the few countries in the world that has achieved carbon negativity, meaning it absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits. This achievement is thanks to the country's extensive forest coverage covering over 50% of its land area.

Carbon markets play a crucial role in ensuring that governments and the private sector can fulfil zero emissions and carbon neutrality commitments from now on. Worldwide, net-zero targets adopted to date cover around 70% of global greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, but many are not yet supported by the near-term policies and regulations necessary to achieve them. Carbon markets can be part of the measures and mechanisms contributing to the mitigation needed to achieve these targets. This is why Panama has worked during the last few years to consolidate its National Carbon Market protocol to reach its national commitments. This Carbon Market protocol will comprise the national greenhouse gasses programs under the National Reduce Your Footprint Program (PNRTH), the National Greenhouse Gas Compensation System (SNCP) and the Panamanian Carbon Exchange programme.

This consultancy aims to support the Government of Panama in preparing the ground to operationalise its National Carbon Market to mainstream emission reductions by analysing the demand for certified carbon units. Ultimately, this consultancy aims to provide Panama's government with a clear understanding of emissions trends and baselines, which will inform the development of effective policies and strategies for reducing emissions and meeting climate targets.

With this in mind, UNEP and the government of Panama have designed a project for the Partnership Action Fund (PAF), funded by the NDC Partnership (Nationally Determined Contributions Partnership). The fund supports NDC enhancement and implementation by reinforcing technical expertise and capacities to address gaps in developing country members. The PAF will complement the NDC Partnership's implementing and development partners' existing support offerings to catalyse further climate action. Among other things, this project will support the implementation of the country's NDCs for their transparency and legitimacy.

In this sense, UNEP LACO is recruiting a socio-economist in the form of a consultant for the resilient and sustainable long-term climate actions in Panama to strengthen their NDCs and Transparency goals. The incumbent will be supervised by UNEP’s Energy & Efficiency Programme Management Officer of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean Office and will work with a full-time schedule of 8 hours per day, 5 days a week, either at the offices of the Ministry of Economy and Finance or at the offices of the Ministry of Environment both located in Panama City, Panama.

Qualifications/special skills

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, data science, engineering, economics, climate change management; or closely related fields (required).

• Masters in economics, environmental economics, development economics, socio-economy, economics or a closely related field in the social sciences (desirable).

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 5 years of experience with socio-economic analysis of environmental policies, or in related fields such as environmental economics, environmental sciences, etc. (required)

• In-depth and proven knowledge and experience in the implementation of development initiatives, policies and programs related to climate change. (desirable)

• Demonstrated experience in the preparation of policy and strategy reports for national governments and the technical review of national reports and relevant international documents. (desirable)

• Proven experience in organizing workshops and interviews with senior figures in ministries and state institutions in the country. (desirable)

• Working experience within the Latin American region in general and Panama in particular is an asset. (desirable)

LANGUAGE:

• Fluency in Spanish (required).

• Fluency in English (desirable).

SKILLS:

PROFESSIONALISM

• Experience in the design, preparation and execution of proposals related to climate change or for the exercise of indigenous rights, according to international standards.

• Management of the gender, intercultural and human rights approach of indigenous peoples.

• Management of Office tools and digital platforms.

• Excellent writing and teamwork skills.

• Proactive capacity, responsibility and commitment.

• Excellent understanding of national climate change commitments.

• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change, indigenous peoples and adaptation planning.

• Ability to identify, analyze and participate in resolving issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work, and manage conflicting priorities.

• 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 complex problems or challenges.

• Remains calm in stressful situations.

TEAMWORK:

• 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 following 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.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING:

• Develop clear goals consistent with agreed strategies.

• Identifies priority activities and assignments.

• Adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate 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.

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.