Specialist in Domestic mitigation MRV for Argentina’s Transparency Framework on GHG Inventories and Mitigation Project

Result of Service- Enhancement of the National System of Monitoring Mitigation Measures (SNMMM).

- Reinforcement of the National Climate Change Information System (SNICC) and the implementation of the National Climate Change Law.

- Updates to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction indicators and calculations for Argentina's mitigation measures.

- Improvement in the monitoring framework of the SNMMM.

- Strengthening of reporting for the Biennial Update Report (BTR).

CBIT’s most important contribution will be to strengthen Argentina’s reporting capacities to adequately comply with the requirements of the Enhance 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 Specialist in Energy Sector - GHG Inventory.

The consultant will carry out the following activities:

1. Review and analyze the information available regarding the current National Mitigation Measures Monitoring System (SNMMM). The analysis should include the way of ordering the information, the coding of the files and the structure of the different monitoring spreadsheets. The information to be reviewed and analyzed also includes spreadsheets where the results of the various indicators are tabulated and graphed, the latest BUR submitted to the UNFCCC, the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Mitigation Measures Monitoring web page, and the MRV system documents of the Transportation and Climate Change Action Plan.

2. Analyze the current governance system of the SNMMM and the National Climate Change Information System (SNICC).

3. Analyze reporting requirements for mitigation measures under the Paris Agreement and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR).

4. Review Argentina's reporting needs under the new BTR reporting requirements.

5. Propose improvements to be made to strengthen the SNMMM and associated spreadsheets taking into consideration the provisions of the National Climate Change Law, the current SNMMM and the BTR reporting requirements.

6. Update the monitoring and calculation procedures for mitigation measures that exist to date.

7. Organize and carry out workshops to disseminate the results obtained to the DNCC team.

8. Elaborate and update NCCD communication material related to mitigation measures.

9. Collaborate in the implementation and documentation of the methodological changes required for the transition to the ETF and the submission of the first BTR.

10. Collaborate in the update of the spreadsheets from the energy sector to report in accordance with the reporting requirements of the CRT and the ETF.

11. Analyze necessary and planned improvements in the transport sector for the first BTR cycle.

12. Propose improvements to the processes and organization of the NCCD´s teams related to the SNMMM.

13. Participate in national and international training related to SNICC, SNMMM, BTR and others that allow improving the design, implementation and monitoring of mitigation measures in Argentina.

Work Location 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.

The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO) located in Panama City, Panama, 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).

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 to 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, and the Third BUR was presented to the UNFCCC in November 2019. The Fourth BUR was presented in December 2021 and its National Inventory Report was submitted in March 2022.

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 GHG emissions to 349 MtCO2e 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) emissions 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 Specialist in Domestic mitigation MRV to strengthening Argentina’s reporting capacities so as to adequately comply with the requirements of the Enhance 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 at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MAyDS), Buenos Aires, Argentina and he/she will be supervised by the UNEP Energy Efficiency Programme Management Officer of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean. 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 Engineering, Environmental sciences, Biology, Economics, Administration, Law, Political Science, or other relevant university degree (required).

PROFESSIONAL:

- A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in areas related to climate change (required).

- Verifiable professional experience related to mitigation measures and estimation of emissions reduction (desirable).

- Demonstrates understanding of tools used for the estimation of GHG emissions and captures (desirable).

- Knowledge of GHG emissions inventories estimation methodologies such as IPCC 2006 (desirable).

- Demonstrates good understanding of Argentina’s national policy related to climate change with particular focus on the Industrial sector (desirable).

LANGUAGE:

- Fluent in Spanish (required).

- Fluent in English (required).

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

- Very good knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches on climate change (required).

- Knowledge in MRV systems of mitigation measures of GHG emissions (desirable).

- Good knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches on sustainable development; 2030 agenda and gender mainstreaming into climate policies (desirable).

- Verifiable experience using IT tools such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and related apps (required).

- Confident with numbers and equations, as well as drafting reports with procedures and results.

- Relationship skills with public and private sector officials.

- 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.

- Comfortable with teamwork and cooperation 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.

- Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work and uses time efficiently.

- 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:

- Experts must have availability to travel within Argentina and abroad as needed.

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.