UNEP is looking for a Regional Network Coordinator for the Pacific Region, within the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency Global Support Programme (CBIT-GSP). To apply for the position, please access the following link: UN_JOB_DETAIL

Result of Service

The services provided by the Network coordinator will contribute to supporting and strengthening the CBIT GSP networks or modify them for efficiency purposes, having common language as key criteria, and it will support the engagement of new countries in MRV/Transparency networks. Network involvement provides opportunities for direct support to countries responding to their actual needs in an efficient way with understanding of their specific circumstances. It allows learning from ongoing projects, saving time and effort when undertaking procedures that are new to a country and learning from peers. Network coordinators will also be able to feed good practices and approaches to the other MRV/Transparency networks and to the global management team so that they can be distributed widely.

Work Location

Home based, Pacific Country

Expected duration

12 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. It 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. This Individual Contractor will be in UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC) and will be home based in one of the Pacific Countries.

The Paris Agreement signified an important turning point in climate change negotiations as the global community recognized the urgency in facing climate change and agreed on a goal of "holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing significant efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks of impacts” (Article 2). Article 13 of the Paris Agreement is critical to its implementation, as it provides the outline for an Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) for countries related to the actions they take related to climate change and transparency related to the support that they provide and receive.

At COP26, the guidance for operationalizing the modalities, procedures and guidelines for the enhanced transparency framework was adopted. Common reporting tables for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventories, common tabular formats for information necessary to track progress in implementing and achieving Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and outlines for Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), National Inventory Documents and Technical Expert Review Reports were adopted. The Convention further emphasized the need for financial and technical support to countries to develop these BTRs and encouraged the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and development partners to provide this support.

The goal of the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency Global Support Programme (CBIT-GSP) project is to provide streamlined support and capacity building at the country, regional, and global levels to enable Non-Annex I countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and developing countries under the Paris Agreement to better respond to reporting requirements and to catalyze increased ambition within country NDCs to contribute to the stated temperature goal of well below 2 degrees and if possible 1.5 degrees.

In addition, the CBIT GSP is seeking to strengthen south-south cooperation and peer learning in the different networks to facilitate timely development and submission of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), Biennial Update Reports (BURs) and National Communications (NCs). The main objective of strengthening the networks is hence to facilitate sustainable development of technical and institutional capacities through the exchange of experiences and adoption of best practices.

The networks facilitate the exchange of knowledge through a diverse range of tools and mechanisms (e.g., virtual networks, webinars, thematic workshops, bilateral exchanges, mutual learning, etc.). In this context, UNEP-CCC and UNEP are seeking the expertise of an individual contractor with significant field experience in the Pacific to ensure that the networks deliver the expected support to the network members.

The Network Coordinator will have direct work experience in one or more of the Pacific network participating countries, in the areas of climate policy, climate negotiations and climate transparency. He/she will be fluent in the English language. He/she will work under the direct supervision of the CBIT GSP project coordinator. As such, the Pacific network coordinator will deliver the following outputs, as specified below.

• Conduct an assessment of skills and knowledge and capacity gaps and needs (on all relevant topics) for the implementation of the Paris rulebook (including the new developments from COP26) and country level participation in the enhanced transparency framework.
• Identify and conduct mapping of existing support offers and initiatives, including from UNFCCC, PATPA, FAO, GIZ etc.
• Identification of 3 main priorities for the network based on the gaps identified and direct contact with countries.
• Develop and support the implementation of an annual network work plan, which takes into account the gaps and the priority areas identified, under the overall direction of the CBIT GSP project coordinator.
• Support the constructive collaboration among the member countries by leading at least two national-level workshops per year, organize and moderate the annual network meeting and technical workshop (e.g. emails, calls).
• Plan, lead and facilitate at least three annual virtual events on technical matters related to Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV), ETF, gender integration into MRV, NDC tracking, mitigation analysis and any other topic identified in the gap assessment s applicable.
• Assist the project coordinator in providing technical inputs and reviews of reports (BUR, BTR, NC), Mitigation chapters, inventories, technical guidelines and toolkits.
• Design and develop agenda for in-country trainings (at least 1, depending on needs) on COP 26 guidance and enhanced transparency framework, support their organization and elaborate training materials
• Technical Assistance in the implementation of QA/QC reviews of GHG inventories, in line with the guidelines provided by UNFCCC (http://unfccc.int/national_reports/non-annex_i_natcom/guidelines_and_user_manual/items/2607.php)
• Support tasks related to the needs of the network, including translation of documentation and ad hoc support requests form countries and the project coordinator.
• Facilitate the Pacific network operations and help-desk function and report monthly on support requested and provided.
• Organize network activities as established in the CBIT GSP annual work plan based on regional needs assessments.
• Establish and maintain a list of countries focal points and participants to the trainings/virtual events with their areas of expertise.
• Foster peer exchange and mutual learning in the network also through moderation and facilitation of an exchange forum for the network.
• Report on activities carried to support the exchange of knowledge and experience in the Network exchange forum.
• Capture knowledge generated by the network and share it with project staff of CBIT GSP, to make it available to other regions and stakeholders in the form of webinars, audio briefings, web content, brochures, and other knowledge products.
• Participate to exchange of experience and knowledge sharing with other regional networks and provision of expertise when needed

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental science, environment policy or economics, climate change science or policy or related field is required. University studies (Bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

o At least 5 years practical experience in the area of enhanced transparency frameworks, NDCs, MRV systems and/or reporting to the UNFCCC (BURs, NCs, BTRs) is required.
o Being a member of the roster of the UNFCCC MRV/ETF Transparency Division of the Mitigation, Data and Analysis Programme is an asset
o Previous field-based work experience in one or more of the participating network countries which are members of the network in the area of climate policy, reporting to the Convention or transparency frameworks is required
o Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the institutional, political and/or social dimensions of climate change / climate policy in one or more of the participating network countries is required
o Demonstrated experience on organizing, conducting, and facilitating South-South cooperation and capacity-building activities related to MRV systems, GHG inventories, NDC reporting, transparency frameworks, etc is an asset
o Experience working with international organizations related to climate change is an asset.
o Excellent analytical and report drafting skills is as asset

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations languages (Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an asset.