Public Finance Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes 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, coordinating the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with thirty-three countries in the region, integrating its activities into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). UNEP aims to support countries in compliance with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions. The overall objective of UNEP's Sub-programme on Climate Change is to strengthen the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low-emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. UNEP is committed to ensuring that crosscutting issues such as gender equity and women's empowerment are effectively undertaken in the development of its tasks to guarantee equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives.

Job Overview:
The Public Finance Consultant will play a crucial role in continuing the Climate Public Expenditure Analysis and Institutional Review (CPEIR) of El Salvador, which was previously conducted in 2018 for the period 2011–201

• The consultant will be responsible for developing several key products, including an expenditure analysis report that introduces the study to relevant stakeholders, an assessment report on current policy priorities and strategies related to climate change, a review of institutional arrangements to promote the integration of climate priorities into budget and expenditure management, and a report on the integration of climate change objectives within the budgetary process. The consultant will also prepare a summary evaluation document outlining key findings and recommendations. This position requires a deep understanding of public finance, climate policy, and institutional frameworks, as well as the ability to engage with various stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the project objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant Specialist in Public Finances will conduct a comprehensive analysis of climate-related public expenditures and institutional arrangements in El Salvador. Specific tasks include:

• Conducting a review of updated climate policy instruments and identifying relevant laws and regulations.
• Defining and validating the time frame of the expenditure analysis in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance.
• Mapping national and sectoral climate policies and assessing their coherence with development and poverty reduction goals.
• Documenting stakeholder participation in policy processes and analyzing the use of evidence in policymaking.
• Evaluating monitoring and evaluation frameworks for climate policy effectiveness.
• Updating institutional mapping and analyzing the role of the Ministry of Finance in budget labeling and climate markers.
• Reviewing inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms and assessing local governments' capacity for climate action.
• Identifying and quantifying climate-related expenditures and analyzing fiscal instruments.
• Preparing a comprehensive report consolidating all analyses performed, including a national validation workshop.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in economics, public finance, or a closely related field. A master's degree in climate change, finance, public policy, or a closely related field is desirable. Additionally, candidates should have at least five years of work experience related to public finance, policy analysis, and national budgets, or in a closely related field. Experience in climate-related public spending, collaboration with government institutions, multi-level coordination in financial planning and budgeting, and preparing reports for technical and high-level meetings is also desirable. Familiarity with key concepts and frameworks related to climate change adaptation under the UNFCCC is essential.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in economics, public finance, or a closely related field is required for this position. A master's degree in climate change, finance, public policy, or a closely related field is considered an asset and is desirable for candidates seeking to enhance their qualifications for this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in public finance, policy analysis, and national budgets, or in a closely related field. Candidates should also have experience in conducting studies on climate-related public spending and collaborating with government institutions on policy analysis and development. Demonstrated experience in multi-level coordination in financial planning and budgeting is highly desirable, as is experience in preparing reports and official documents for technical and high-level meetings.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is required for this position, as the consultant will be working primarily in a Spanish-speaking environment. Confidence in English is desirable, as it may facilitate communication with international stakeholders and enhance the consultant's ability to engage in broader discussions related to climate finance and policy.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for a duration of 5 months and 11 days. The consultant will work remotely but may be required to travel for consultation processes. 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 concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.