The Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) is currently recruiting an Environmental Advisor – Climate Finance and Transparency to assess and propose potential methodologies or tools for ICAT to develop in order to effectively support its partner countries and regions in linking transparency efforts to climate finance.

Duty station: Home based

Contract type: International ICA

Contract level: ICS-12

Duration Ongoing – Less than 100 days

Application closes: 19 April 2021

Main Tasks:

Task 1: Mapping of existing methodologies on the transparency of climate finance

Task 1 is to prepare an overview of existing methodologies and assess:

1. How useful they could be for ICAT country/regional support;
2. What gaps remain in methodological guidance and if this could be filled by ICAT;
3. Whether it would be worthwhile to expand the ICAT methodologies to support an assessment of finance needed for policy implementation.

Task 2: Scoping work on a methodology to use the transparency framework to advance on financing NDC implementation and other climate action

Based on an evaluation of existing methodologies and documentation of good practice, the second task is to develop the concept for a methodology that could provide practical guidance to developing countries to allow them to advance from the preparation of an NDC tracking framework, which is anchored in a sound transparency framework, to developing approaches and documentation (e.g. investment prospectuses) to b e used for mobilizing finance. The concept should identify the main elements that need to be addressed in such a methodology and also identify process aspects that can ensure that the methodology will be useful. The concept should also discuss whether and if so how such methodological work could address the needs of Article 2 (c) of the Paris Agreement.

Task 3: Bridging the gap between national MRV/transparency and M&E for project finance

The third task is to prepare a review of existing literature relevant for linking the monitoring of progress on national climate policy objectives to the monitoring of project implementation, in particular to identify documented good practice in this regard. Based on this, a concept for methodological guidance to achieve a closer link between national transparency/MRV frameworks and project M&E approaches should be developed. How could project M&E be more closely aligned with national MRV/transparency frameworks? How can transparency frameworks better allow for such an alignment? The concept should identify aspects to be covered and possible approaches in developing and implementing the guidance.

Education/Experience/Language/Work permit requirements:

Education

• An advanced university degree in environmental management/sciences, economics, finance, international relations, development studies, and/or other relevant fields for climate policies and transparency; OR
• First-level University degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree.
• A PhD in a relevant area is a distinct advantage.

Required Experience (incl. desired experience)

• At least 7 years of working experience in the area of climate change and environmental management, including at least 5 years with a focus on international climate change cooperation, climate or development finance and/or MRV/transparency;
• Experience in working and collaborating with different stakeholders desirable;
• Experience from working with developing countries desirable;
• Experience with support to project coordination and or project management desirable;
• Experience working within the UN system is an advantage;
• Report writing skills, moderation and facilitation skills area distinct advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in English (written and oral) is required.

To Apply:

Applications are open until midnight Copenhagen time (CET) 19 April 2021. To apply, please visit UNOPS website and click ‘Apply’ at the bottom of the vacancy announcement.