International Methane Planning Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is a partnership that includes governments, intergovernmental organizations, private sector representatives, and members of civil society. Established to address the urgent need for integrated climate and clean air solutions, the CCAC focuses on reducing emissions of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) such as methane, black carbon, HFCs, and tropospheric ozone. The coalition is recognized as the only international initiative dedicated to this cause, aiming for fast action to mitigate climate change impacts. The CCAC also participates in global initiatives like the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce global methane emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels, thereby supporting collective climate goals across regions, including the Caucasus. More information about the CCAC can be found at www.ccacoalition.org, where resources and methodologies for national planning to reduce SLCPs are also available.

Job Overview:
The International Methane Planning Expert will play a crucial role in supporting the Government of Azerbaijan in developing a methane reduction roadmap specifically for the agriculture sector, focusing on the livestock sub-sector. This position involves collaborating closely with national consultants and various ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, to ensure that the roadmap is comprehensive and integrates input from all relevant stakeholders. The expert will be responsible for providing in-depth sector expertise, particularly in data collection and measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) challenges, to ensure that the roadmap aligns with Azerbaijan's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and broader climate policies. The consultancy aims to achieve significant outcomes, including government endorsement of the methane reduction roadmap and the adoption of its recommendations in future NDC enhancements and sectoral policies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the International Methane Planning Expert include:

• Collaborating with Azerbaijan's Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, and other relevant ministries to collect and analyze methane emissions data.
• Developing a tailored methane reduction roadmap for the agricultural sector, specifically addressing emissions from livestock and manure management.
• Facilitating at least one online capacity-building session to engage stakeholders and share actionable solutions, with the support of the National Consultant.
• Providing preliminary recommendations to inform the Government of Azerbaijan’s preparation for the next round of NDC enhancement and related national climate and agricultural policies. The consultancy aims to achieve the following outcomes:
• Endorsement of a comprehensive methane reduction roadmap for the agricultural sector by the Azerbaijani government.
• Adoption of the recommendations from the methane roadmap for the next round of NDC enhancement and relevant sectoral policies. The expected outputs include:
• A stakeholder engagement plan, mapping, and detailed consultation meeting reports.
• A summary of methane emissions data, including gaps and opportunities for enhancement.
• Draft and final versions of the methane reduction roadmap.
• Recommendations for integrating methane mitigation strategies into national and regional policies.
• Periodic progress reports tracking advancements and addressing emerging challenges.
• Event documentation, including materials for announcements, website updates, and social media engagement. The periodic report should include technical inputs and recommendations generated during the period, dialogue supports, inputs, comments, and agreements from cross-sectoral discussions, and a summary of technical agreements on the definition of the methodology.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in agricultural/livestock sciences, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, or a related field. Alternatively, a first university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Candidates must have at least four years of professional experience in fields relevant to agricultural greenhouse gas mitigation, national agricultural emissions inventories, and climate policy. Excellent written and spoken communication skills are essential, along with the ability to establish productive relationships with stakeholders. Experience in methane mitigation within the livestock sector is desirable, particularly in supporting or developing national climate strategies, methane roadmaps, or MRV frameworks. Familiarity with agricultural or environmental public policy in Azerbaijan or Central Asia is also preferred, as is experience in multi-stakeholder engagement and working with government authorities in the region. A good understanding of greenhouse gas dynamics, short-lived climate pollutants, and livestock production in Azerbaijan is advantageous.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in agricultural/livestock sciences, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, or a related field. A first university degree may be accepted if combined with two additional years of qualifying experience, demonstrating flexibility in educational requirements based on professional experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of professional experience in areas relevant to agricultural greenhouse gas mitigation, national agricultural emissions inventories, and climate policy. This experience should ideally include work on methane mitigation strategies, national climate strategies, and engagement with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if relevant to the region or the stakeholders involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of eight months and is structured as a remote position. There are no fees associated with the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge applicants at any stage, including application, interview, or training. The organization emphasizes that it does not require information regarding applicants’ bank accounts.