Sustainable Development Expert

Job Posting Organization:
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. Established in 1972, UNEP has grown to encompass a diverse workforce of thousands of employees across various countries, working collaboratively to address pressing environmental challenges. The organization operates in over 150 countries, focusing on areas such as climate change, sustainable development, and environmental governance. UNEP's mission is to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it plays a crucial role in coordinating responses to environmental issues at the global level, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Job Overview:
The Sustainable Development (SD) Expert will play a pivotal role in the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) project in Zambia, working closely with the National ICAT team leader and other team members to ensure the successful completion of project activities. The expert will provide technical input and support in the development and submission of deliverables and reports, ensuring compliance with the workplan and timelines set by the UNEP CCC Project Coordinator. This position requires a deep understanding of sustainable development methodologies and the ability to collaborate effectively with various stakeholders, including government agencies and local institutions. The SD expert will be responsible for enhancing national capacities for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions projections, developing data management frameworks, and tracking the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The role is part-time and expected to last for 9 months, with a focus on building robust transparency frameworks for effective climate action in Zambia.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The SD Expert will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Collaborating with the ICAT local team lead and GHG Inventory Coordinating Agency to ensure effective execution of project activities.
• Providing technical input for the inception phase, including stocktaking for data collection processes and GHG emissions projections.
• Developing and enhancing data management frameworks for GHG emissions projections and monitoring NDC implementation.
• Identifying and analyzing selected policies and measures (PAMs) under key NDC sectors to estimate their GHG emissions reduction potential.
• Establishing a framework for tracking NDC implementation progress, supported by robust indicators and stakeholder capacity.
• Conducting stakeholder consultations and validation workshops to facilitate the selection of priority PAMs and to validate the results of GHG projections and scenarios.
• Generating reports and deliverables as outlined in the ICAT workplan, including inception reports, stocktaking reports, and validation workshop reports.
• Supporting capacity building efforts for national stakeholders on the use of GHG and SD indicators.
• Ensuring timely delivery of project outputs and compliance with the deliverables as reviewed by the UNEP CCC Project Coordinator.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in natural or social sciences, or a Bachelor’s degree with a relevant combination of two years of additional experience related to the position. A minimum of 5 years of proven working experience in climate/environment protection is required, along with experience in working with the ICAT Sustainable Development assessment methodology. Additional experience with similar tools and methods for sustainable development assessment is desired. Candidates should also have experience working with international development projects and engaging national and local stakeholders related to climate mitigation.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in fields related to natural or social sciences. Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree combined with two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. The focus should be on disciplines that provide a strong foundation in environmental science, climate change, or sustainable development.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of proven working experience in climate/environment protection, with specific expertise in the ICAT Sustainable Development assessment methodology. Candidates should have a track record of working on international development projects and engaging with stakeholders at various levels, particularly in the context of climate mitigation efforts. Experience in capacity building and training related to GHG emissions projections and NDC tracking is also essential.

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

Additional Notes:
This is a part-time consultancy position expected to last for 9 months. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants should be aware that the organization does not request information regarding bank accounts.