Carbon Markets and Article 6 Consultant for Costa Rica

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 encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices, and it plays a crucial role in 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, 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).

Job Overview:
The Carbon Markets and Article 6 Consultant for Costa Rica will collaborate with the Climate Ambition and Transparency Team to achieve significant goals related to the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This role involves improving the overall knowledge of Article 6's scope and functioning in Costa Rica through a regional approach, actively engaging with stakeholders from participating countries to meet institutional, technical, and operational requirements for establishing or participating in carbon markets. The consultant will support national governments in complying with their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and enhancing ambition and cooperation among parties under the Paris Agreement. The consultant will work under the supervision of UNEP’s Programme Management Officer for Energy Efficiency of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean Office, and will be based at the Ministry of Environment and Energy in San José, Costa Rica, working part-time for 20 hours a week.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will perform various activities, including providing technical input and revisions to Costa Rica's roadmap for carbon markets and Article 6 implementation, facilitating stakeholder participation in knowledge exchange events, and providing technical input for the national protocol for the exchange of mitigation outcomes. Specific tasks include analyzing stakeholder participation by gender and affiliation, gathering local information on the private sector, and supporting the identification and assessment of bankable private sector projects. The consultant will also be responsible for compiling and analyzing information related to potential emission reduction projects, organizing meetings for project selection, and ensuring that all technical inputs are documented in monthly reports to the supervisor. The expected outcomes include enhanced strategic frameworks for GCF programming, strengthened technical capacities of NDAs and stakeholders, and the development of comprehensive project pipelines for climate financing.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in law, engineering, environmental sciences, economics, finance, administration, political science, international relations, or a related field. A Master's degree in environmental sciences, climate change policy, carbon markets, or related fields is desirable. Additionally, candidates should have at least four years of experience in environmental policy, climate change, environmental sciences, or related fields, with two years of stakeholder engagement in public institutions being desirable. Knowledge of carbon markets and Article 6 is also preferred.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's degree in relevant fields such as law, engineering, environmental sciences, economics, finance, administration, political science, or international relations. A Master's degree in related fields is considered an asset and is desirable for candidates seeking to enhance their qualifications for this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of professional experience in areas related to environmental policy, climate change, environmental sciences, or environmental economics. Experience in stakeholder engagement within public institutions for at least two years is also desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a solid understanding of global and national climate change issues, particularly those related to transparency and carbon markets.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for effective communication with local stakeholders and government officials. A confident level of English is desirable, as it may facilitate communication with international partners and enhance the consultant's ability to engage in broader discussions regarding climate change and carbon markets.

Additional Notes:
The position is part-time, requiring 20 working hours per week, and is expected to last for three months. The consultant will be based in San José, Costa Rica, and will work closely with the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The role involves collaboration with various stakeholders and requires a commitment to enhancing the capacity of local institutions and stakeholders in relation to carbon markets and climate change initiatives. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.