UNEP Consultant: Analysis of Perverse Fiscal Incentives to Peatlands

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 was established in 1972 and has since grown to encompass a diverse workforce of thousands of employees operating in over 100 countries. The organization focuses on various environmental issues, including climate change, sustainable development, and biodiversity conservation, and works with governments, civil society, and the private sector to promote sustainable practices and policies.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be tasked with identifying perverse fiscal incentives that negatively impact peatland conservation in the Republic of Congo (RoC) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This role involves developing actionable, costed recommendations that include climate-smart fiscal instruments and ecological fiscal transfers to align fiscal policy with conservation objectives. The consultant will work primarily from home over a period of six months, on a part-time basis, and will produce a comprehensive report analyzing the fiscal policies, tax regimes, and economic instruments that influence land-use decisions in the Congo Basin peatlands region. The consultant's work will contribute to a broader project aimed at securing the Congo Basin peatlands through evidence-based decision-making and good governance, addressing the ongoing pressures from extractive industries and ensuring sustainable management of natural resources.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will perform a variety of tasks, including preparing an inception report that outlines the methodology and work plan, conducting stakeholder mapping to identify key institutions and actors, and performing a literature review of existing studies on fiscal incentives affecting land use. The consultant will analyze fiscal incentive frameworks, including identifying and cataloging relevant fiscal policies and assessing their impact on peatland conservation. Additionally, the consultant will identify perverse incentives that promote unsustainable land-use conversion and assess fiscal leakages and revenue losses. The consultant will develop options and recommendations for reforming these incentives, conduct stakeholder consultations to validate findings, and prepare a final report that meets UNEP reporting standards, including an executive summary and policy brief.

Required Qualifications:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in environmental economics, agricultural economics, public finance, natural resource management, or a related field is required. A bachelor's degree in combination with two additional years of experience will be accepted in lieu of the Master's degree. The consultant must have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in fiscal policy analysis, public finance, and/or environmental economics. Proven experience in analyzing fiscal incentives, tax regimes, and economic instruments related to natural resource management is required, along with demonstrated experience working on policy issues in the Congo Basin or Central Africa region. Knowledge of payment for ecosystem services schemes and environmental fiscal reform is a distinct advantage, as is experience with CAFI-related processes and the Global Peatlands Initiative.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as environmental economics, agricultural economics, public finance, or natural resource management. Candidates with a bachelor's degree and additional relevant experience may also be considered. This educational background is essential for understanding the complex interactions between fiscal policies and environmental conservation efforts.

Experience:
The consultant must possess a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in fiscal policy analysis, public finance, and/or environmental economics. This experience should include a strong focus on analyzing fiscal incentives and tax regimes related to natural resource management, particularly in the context of the Congo Basin or Central Africa region. Familiarity with the political economy context and challenges facing the RoC and DRC is crucial, as is experience working with government institutions, especially ministries related to finance and environment.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English and French is required for this consultancy position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and reporting within the context of the consultancy.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for six months on a part-time basis. The position is home-based, allowing for flexibility in work hours. The consultant will not be charged any fees during the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge applicants at any stage of recruitment. This position may involve international collaboration and engagement with various stakeholders, including government ministries, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations.