Subnational GHG Emission Consultant for Argentina’s Transparency Framework on GHG Inventories and Mitigation Project

Result of Service The subnational GHG emission consultant will provide technical expertise 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). His/her will ensure the following:

¿ The implementation of the National Climate Change Law at subnational level is improved. ¿ The subnational technical capacities to compile GHG inventories is enhanced. ¿ Engagement with local stakeholders is enhanced. ¿ Collaboration in the organization of meetings with local stakeholders is provided.

The consultant will develop the following Products:

Deliverables: Product No. 1:. Report including recommendations for the mitigation products submitted to the CFI.

Product No. 2.: Report including recommendations for Planes de Respuesta submitted by the provinces until 1st of November to the NDCC.

Product No. 3:. Communication material used in meetings and training sessions and a report with a summary of the main topics discussed in the meetings, including the names and gender of participants, objective of the activity, description of the activity, and main results obtained.

Product No. 4:. Excel file with the technical analysis of the evaluation process of the Planes de Respuesta.

Specific tasks and responsibilities

1. Provide technical inputs on products of mitigation measures submitted to the “Consejo Federal de Inversiones” (CFI). 2. Provide recommendations to the products of mitigation measures submitted to the CFI. 3. Provide technical inputs on products of mitigation measures submitted to the “Consejo Federal de Inversiones” (CFI). 4. Provide recommendations to the products of mitigation measures submitted to the CFI. 5. Elaborate a report including the recommendations to the products mentioned above. 6. Provide technical inputs on products of mitigation section of the “Planes de Respuesta” submitted by the provinces until 1st of November to the NDCC. 7. Provide recommendations to the mitigation sections of the “Planes de Respuesta” submitted by the provinces until 1st of November to the NDCC. 8. Elaborate a report including the recommendations to the “Planes de Respuesta” mentioned above. 9. Organize and participate in meetings and trainings for subnational experts and climate change teams. 10. Elaborate a summary of each meeting and training, including the names and gender of participants, objective of the activity, description of the activity, and main results obtained. 11. Elaborate an excel file compiling the technical analysis of the process of evaluation of the Planes de Respuesta in order to improve the process and enhance the implementation of the National Climate Change Law.

Work Location Home Based

Expected duration 7 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 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 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 Biennial Update Report (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 Greenhouse Gasses (GHG) emissions to 349 megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent (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 subnational GHG emission consultant 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 home and will be supervised by UNEP Programme Management Officer of Energy Efficiency of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean. 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 ACADEMIC: ¿ Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental sciences, biology, climate change, environment, or sustainable development, or any other related area (required).

PROFESSIONAL: ¿ A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in environmental projects, environmental sciences, administration, environmental policies or related fields (required). ¿ A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in climate change mitigation and GHG Inventory especially with projects under public administration, within the 5 years of experience in environmental projects (desirable). ¿ Verifiable experience using IPCC and GPC reporting formats (desirable). ¿ Demonstrates excellent understanding of subnational GHG emissions reporting systems (desirable). ¿ Demonstrates good understanding of Argentina’s national policy related to climate change with particular focus on GHG Inventory and Mitigation (desirable). ¿ Experience working with and building partnerships with public and private sector both national and subnational (desirable). LANGUAGE: ¿ Fluency in Spanish (required). ¿ Basic level in English (required).

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: ¿ Very good knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches related to the climate change mitigation and adaptation planning, and intergovernmental climate change negotiations (required). ¿ Very good understanding of UNFCCC GHG Inventory reporting formats - IPCC Standards (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; 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.

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.