UNEP Junior Consultant - Sustainable Public Finance

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the designated entity of the United Nations system for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. UNEP was established in 1972 and has since been at the forefront of environmental governance, working to promote sustainable development through sound environmental practices. The organization operates in over 150 countries and employs thousands of professionals dedicated to various environmental initiatives. UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it plays a crucial role in coordinating responses to environmental challenges on a global scale.

Job Overview:
The UNEP Junior Consultant for Sustainable Public Finance will play a pivotal role in supporting UNEP's contribution to the UN Joint Programme on Green and Climate Finance in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). This position involves documenting, reporting, and communicating UNEP's contributions to various stakeholders, including Ministries of Finance, the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, and potential funding partners. The consultant will apply the Sustainable Budgeting Approach to the national budget of the Lao PDR, ensuring that the evidence generated is accessible and useful for future phases of the project. The role requires a combination of analytical skills, communication expertise, and the ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of project outputs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Supporting the organization of a joint event with the UN Hub in the Lao PDR and the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action at the thirty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
• Coordinating the preparation of event materials, including concept notes, speaker liaison, and registration coordination.
• Drafting communications products that present the work in the Lao PDR to external audiences, including results summaries and web copy.
• Preparing summary and visual materials that translate the Sustainable Budgeting Approach into accessible formats.
• Documenting the joint event and tracking follow-up actions.
• Drafting a lessons note that identifies relevant evidence for the Coalition Flagship Guide.
• Acting as the day-to-day contact for the UN Hub team in Vientiane, preparing inputs for the Joint Programme reporting cycle, and maintaining evidence supporting those inputs.
• Supporting the preparation of a Methodological Transferability Note and assembling a results and evidence pack documenting UNEP's contributions.
• Drafting a costed concept note for subsequent phases of work and preparing tailored briefing materials as needed. The consultant will be accountable for the quality and timeliness of all written products and will ensure that all outstanding activities are closed out effectively.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's level) in environmental policy, public policy, economics, international relations, development studies, environmental regulation, or a closely related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in one of these fields, combined with two additional years of qualifying professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of two years of professional experience in policy analysis and drafting, sustainable or climate finance, public financial management, or a related area is required. Candidates should demonstrate experience in translating analytical evidence into written products for senior official audiences and coordinating written inputs from multiple institutional partners under tight deadlines. Experience in preparing communications and knowledge products that make technical content accessible to non-specialist audiences is also essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree at the Master's level in relevant fields such as environmental policy, public policy, economics, international relations, development studies, or environmental regulation. A first-level university degree in one of these fields, combined with two additional years of qualifying professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of sustainable public finance and environmental governance.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of professional experience in areas such as policy analysis, sustainable or climate finance, and public financial management. This experience should ideally be acquired in an international organization, public administration, research institution, or policy consultancy. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in drafting and consolidating written materials for senior officials and coordinating inputs from various institutional partners under compressed timelines. Familiarity with the work of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action and experience in organizing international events are also desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is considered an advantage. This linguistic proficiency is essential for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and for producing high-quality written materials that meet the standards expected by the United Nations.

Additional Notes:
The position is part-time and expected to last for a duration of five months. It is a remote position, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The consultant will not be charged any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge fees for applications, interviews, or training. The consultant will be responsible for delivering high-quality written products and ensuring that all activities are completed within the specified timeframe.