Specialist in Energy Sector - GHG Inventory for Argentina’s Transparency Framework on GHG Inventories and Mitigation Project

Result of Service Objective. 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 Specialist in Energy Sector - GHG Inventory.

Ultimate Result of the Service: - The technical qualities of products linked with the Energy sector of Argentina’s reports are ensured. - Technical assistance is provided to the NDCC team on issues related to the Energy sector. - The Energy sector GHG emissions estimations are improved. - The completeness of the GHG National Inventory is enhanced. - The National Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change Plan is improved. The consultant will carry out the following activities: - Collaborate with the NDCC in the collection and review of information and documents related to the 1- Energy sector of the 2006 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for the National GHG Inventory (NGHGI); - Review of previous reports and the identification of possible improvements. - Gather and process data, systematize and calculate GHG emissions for Energy sector according to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines; - Update of the procedures, sources of information, and references for the NGHGI. - Participate in the development of the national reports (Biennial Update Reports – BUR - and National Inventory Report), drafting calculation methodology, results, data used, summary tables and graphics. - Attend periodic meetings with relevant stakeholders (bilaterally or with more than one actor as required) within the energy sector through the National Climate Change Cabinet (NCCC); - Engage with relevant stakeholders linked with the Energy sector; - Compile and assess related mitigation and adaptation actions for the Energy sector; - Develop and collaborate in the update of the National Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change Plan; - Carry out the recalculation and evaluation of mitigation measures related to the Energy sector; - Participate and provide technical support to the NCCC meetings related with the Energy Sector; - Participate in the development of improvement activities for future estimations of GHG emissions inventory and mitigation measures for the Energy sector; - Collaborate with the preparation of communication and dissemination materials linked with the GHG Inventory and mitigation measures of Energy sector; - Provide technical advice to implementing partners carrying out agreements related to the energy sector. - Provide trainings to subnational experts of about the National GHG Inventory of Argentina.

Work Location Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MAyDS), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Expected duration 6 MONTHS

Duties and Responsibilities Purpose

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.

UNEP´s 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 and the Third BUR was presented to the UNFCCC in November 2019. The Fourth BUR was submitted 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 GHG emissions to 349 MtCO2e by 2030.

One of the most relevant challenges that the implementation of the Paris Agreement poses on 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 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 Energy Sector - GHG Inventory in the form of a consultant to strengthening Argentina’s reporting capacities 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 40 hours per week, full time at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MAyDS), located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and will be supervised by the Programme Management Officer for Climate Change Unit of the Office for Latin America and the Caribbean of UNEP LACO. He or 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 Qualifications Required

ACADEMIC: - Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Chemical or Environmental Engineering or other Bachelor’s degree relevant to Environment and national development with special focus on the Energy sector (required).

PROFESSIONAL: - A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in energy (required); - Verifiable professional experience related to environmental topics within the energy sector (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 the Energy Sector with particular focus on climate change (desirable); - Experience working with with public and private sector (desirable);

LANGUAGE: - Fluency in Spanish (required); - Confident level in English (required).

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: - Very good knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches related to the energy sector: fuels types, consumption patterns, efficiencies, energy sectors, National Energy Balances, etc.; (required); - Good knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches on sustainable development; 2030 agenda 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. - Strong research and analytical skills; - 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; Shows leadership capacities; - 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.

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.