Consultant Specialist in Climate Finance

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. UNEP's mission is to coordinate 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, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and integrates its activities into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The office aims to implement the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the priority actions defined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and National Adaptation Plans (NAP) of the region. UNEP's Sub-programme on Climate Change aims to strengthen the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low-emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including Nature-based Solutions with an ecosystem-based approach, are implemented and integrated into key sectoral and national development strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts. Furthermore, UNEP’s Sub-programme on Climate Change is committed to ensuring that cross-cutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment are effectively integrated into its tasks to guarantee equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives.

Job Overview:
The Consultant Specialist in Climate Finance will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by developing a comprehensive Climate Change Adaptation Financing Strategy. This includes identifying funding needs, financing options, and mechanisms to effectively incorporate public and private sector resources for the implementation of Panama's National Adaptation Plan and Thematic Adaptation Plans. The Consultant will bring international best practices in climate finance, blended finance approaches, and adaptation funding mechanisms while ensuring strong contextualization to the Panamanian institutional, legal, and fiscal context. The role involves establishing and coordinating thematic working groups, conducting screening analyses of development plans against climate change risks, and developing thematic adaptation mainstreaming strategies. The Consultant will also organize stakeholder workshops, consult with financing partners, and validate strategies with relevant stakeholders to secure buy-in for implementation. The position requires a strong understanding of climate finance and the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders to mobilize resources effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant Specialist in Climate Finance will be responsible for several key deliverables, including:

• Establishing and coordinating six thematic working groups for forestry, human settlements, energy, biodiversity, coastal management, and circular economy.
• Conducting screening analyses of thematic-level development plans and budgets against climate change risks.
• Developing six thematic adaptation mainstreaming strategies with recommendations for integrating adaptation planning into sectoral planning instruments and budgets.
• Organizing and facilitating stakeholder workshops for the development and validation of the thematic adaptation mainstreaming strategies.
• Consulting with national and international financing partners to identify opportunities and financial commitments for the implementation of the NAP and Thematic Adaptation Plans.
• Developing a comprehensive Climate Change Adaptation Financing Strategy that identifies funding needs, financing options, and mechanisms to mobilize funding for adaptation.
• Assessing barriers and proposing recommendations to strengthen the operations of the National Adaptation Fund of Panama.
• Coordinating with the Consultant in Private Sector Engagement to integrate findings on financial instruments and blended business models to scale up adaptation investment.
• Facilitating validation workshops to present and validate the Climate Change Adaptation Financing Strategy and the thematic adaptation mainstreaming strategies with relevant stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in economy, finance, policy science, planning, administration, environmental, natural resources, or a closely related field. A Master’s degree in economics, finance, climate finance, climate change, project, public policy, or a closely related field is desired. Additionally, candidates should have at least five years of relevant working experience in climate finance mobilization, including elaborating financing strategies and involving public, private, and/or external financing resources. Experience in climate finance, adaptation climate finance, and/or project development is desirable, along with a good understanding of public budget preparation and expenditure reporting processes, particularly regarding cross-cutting thematic areas such as gender, climate, and environment sectors. Candidates should also demonstrate experience working with diverse stakeholders in public policy development and have knowledge of climate change policies and financial architecture.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as economy, finance, policy science, planning, administration, environmental, or natural resources. A Master’s degree in a related field is preferred, particularly in areas such as economics, finance, climate finance, climate change, or public policy.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant working experience in climate finance mobilization, including the development of financing strategies and engagement with public, private, and/or external financing resources. Experience in climate finance, adaptation climate finance, and project development is desirable, as well as familiarity with public budget processes and cross-cutting thematic areas such as gender and climate.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is required, while confidence in English is desirable. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages to engage with diverse stakeholders and facilitate workshops and discussions.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and expected to last for 10 months. The Consultant Specialist in Climate Finance will work under the overall supervision of the Deputy Regional Director of UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office and will collaborate closely with UNEP’s Adaptation team, the Directorate of Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment in Panama, and other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. Travel may be required for consultation processes. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.