UNEP Consultant on Carbon Credit Pathways for Urban and Periurban Agriculture

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. Established in 1972, UNEP has grown to become a pivotal organization in the global environmental landscape, with a mission to encourage sustainable development through sound environmental practices. It operates in over 150 countries and employs thousands of staff members, working collaboratively with governments, civil society, and the private sector to address pressing environmental challenges. UNEP's Ecosystems Division focuses on enhancing the management of ecosystems and biodiversity, recognizing their critical role in supporting agriculture and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security while mitigating climate change impacts. The organization is committed to fostering partnerships and providing technical assistance to strengthen environmental management capacities, particularly in developing countries and those with economies in transition.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position aims to contribute to UNEP's Programme of Work in Brazil by integrating urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) into municipal policies and planning processes in Curitiba. The consultant will focus on generating evidence related to carbon sequestration, emissions reduction, and the potential for carbon credit generation from UPA practices. This role is crucial for supporting the recognition of UPA as a nature-based solution and strategic climate action. The consultant will work closely with the Municipality of Curitiba to implement carbon credit projects and provide practical policy recommendations. The expected outcomes include the development of feasible carbon credit projects that can provide additional financial resources for scaling UPA initiatives and enhancing urban food systems. The consultant will also engage with stakeholders to communicate the climate mitigation benefits of UPA systems and explore opportunities for accessing environmental markets and alternative financing mechanisms.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for coordinating closely with the Municipality of Curitiba's focal points to implement carbon projects, support administrative processes, and ensure ownership of project deliverables. Key duties include drafting a database structure for relevant data and stakeholders involved in carbon markets, running workshops to engage stakeholders, conducting baseline assessments, and monitoring project progress through monthly reports to UNEP. The consultant will also communicate progress through regular meetings with the TEEBAgriFood team in Brazil and perform other tasks related to the UNEP TEEBAgriFood initiative as directed. Additional responsibilities include providing technical assistance to municipalities engaged in the TEEBAgriFood initiative, identifying relevant policies related to UPA, and ensuring proposed legal and policy instruments are adapted to the local context. The consultant will also collect and curate data from urban agriculture projects with carbon components, measure carbon stocks in urban and peri-urban sites, and draft a structure for a municipal market for environmental assets.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Masters or above) in Environmental Science or related fields. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of two years of professional working experience in carbon market assessment and carbon analysis is required. Familiarity with the Brazilian institutional, political, and regulatory context related to environmental asset markets is essential. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of climate change, nature-based solutions, and ecosystem services, as well as the local governance context and policy processes in Curitiba. The ability to work effectively and autonomously in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing tasks is crucial, along with the capacity to translate technical evidence into policy-relevant recommendations.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Masters or above) in Environmental Science or a related field is required for this position. Candidates with a first-level university degree may be considered if they have two additional years of qualifying experience. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of environmental science, particularly in relation to carbon markets and sustainable agricultural practices.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of professional working experience in carbon market assessment and carbon analysis. Experience working in Curitiba and understanding the biome in which it is situated is desirable. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the consultant can effectively contribute to the project and navigate the complexities of local environmental policies and practices.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required for this position, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Additionally, fluency in Portuguese is required since the assignment will be carried out in Brazil. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for the successful implementation of the consultancy's objectives.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for six months and will be home-based. The position does not specify additional notes regarding contract duration, seniority level, or compensation. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not required to provide any financial information or bank account details.