International Consultant, Climate Services National Financing Policies and Sustainability Plans

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda. Established to promote the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, UNEP serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mission includes coordinating the development of environmental policy consensus, keeping the global environment under review, and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP operates in multiple countries and engages with various stakeholders to address pressing environmental challenges.

Job Overview:
The International Consultant, Climate Services National Financing Policies and Sustainability Plans, will work closely with the UNEP Project Management Unit and various partners to develop critical outputs aimed at enhancing climate information and early warning systems. The consultant will be responsible for creating a 9-month workplan, conducting financial analyses for sustainability, developing a financing framework, and producing a recommendations report along with a final presentation. This role is crucial in implementing portions of a significant USD 21.7 million project focused on improving resilience to hydro-meteorological hazards in Timor-Leste. The consultant will contribute to strengthening institutional and policy frameworks for climate services across five Pacific Island countries, ensuring that the delivery model for climate information services is robust and effective.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's primary duties will include developing a comprehensive financial framework to ensure the sustainability of climate services, particularly for the National Meteorological and Geophysics Directorate (DNMG). This involves conducting a scoping activity to identify opportunities for various sectors to utilize enhanced climate services, exploring public-private partnerships, and assessing potential private investments in climate services. The consultant will also link the financial framework to several key national documents awaiting ministerial approval, including the National Meteorological and Geophysics Act and the National Framework for Climate Services. Additionally, the consultant will engage with technical partners and national service providers, ensuring that the financial framework is tailored to the specific context of Timor-Leste, ultimately preparing DNMG for cost recovery negotiations and developing a concrete sustainability plan for investments made in meteorological observations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in financing or economics, with public policy and climate information services being desirable fields of study. A minimum of 7 years of demonstrated experience in sustainable financing, climate financing, and cost recovery is required. Additionally, candidates should have experience in developing institutional or national financing policies or sustainability plans in climate-related areas. Knowledge of climate information services or multi-hazard early warning systems is essential, along with experience collaborating with governments and development partners in the Southeast Asia and/or Pacific region.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in financing is required, while degrees in public policy, climate information services, or economics are considered desirable. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of financing frameworks and sustainability plans in the context of climate services.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, particularly in sustainable financing and climate financing. Experience in developing financing policies or sustainability plans in climate-related areas is also desirable. Previous work in the Southeast Asia and/or Pacific region is highly valued, as it demonstrates familiarity with the specific challenges and opportunities in these areas.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this consultancy. Knowledge of Tetum and/or Portuguese is considered desirable, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration with local stakeholders in Timor-Leste.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is part-time and home-based, expected to last for 9 months. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not required to provide any financial information or bank account details.