Result of Service

The work of the consultant will contribute to the implementation of the IKI-funded FAST Project, which seeks to align public finance flows in Brazil, Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Nigeria with biodiversity protection goals. In doing so, it contributes to delivering the SDGs and national commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. In this regard, the work of the consultant will contribute to UNEP’s ‘Nature’ and ‘Finance and Economic Transformation’ Programmes.

Work Location

Abuja

Expected duration

6 months over a 12 months period

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system. UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator, and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment. UNEP's Industry and Economy division plays a leading role in the Green Economy Initiative (GEI), which aims to transition national economies onto a new path, in which jobs and output growth are driven by increased investment in green sectors, and by a switch of consumers’ preferences towards environmentally friendly goods and services. Located within the Industry and Economy Division, the Finance and Economics Branch (FEB) examines how economics, trade, and finance interact with the environment and contribute to sustainable development at the local, national, regional, and global levels. Within the FEB, the Economic and Fiscal Policy Unit (EFPU) conducts analytical research. It also provides evidence-based capacity-building support to enable the transition to inclusive and green economies. One area of work for the EFPU is to implement the IKI-GIZ 'FAST' ('Fast-tracking Transformation through Sustainable Public Finance for Biodiversity') project. As a six-year initiative in Brazil, Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Nigeria, the project supports partner countries in implementing or optimizing public finance measures to align fiscal policies and financial flows with biodiversity protection objectives. Specific tasks and responsibilities:

Conduct a desk review of national sustainable public finance strategies and stakeholder consultations.
Revise the national workplan, for which an initial draft has been developed by the UNEP team.
Ensure the quality of the scoping report outline produced by a local implementing partner, which should include a literature review of existing scoping work (e.g., UNDP BIOFIN) and UNEP’s expected contributions, as well as the annex package.
Ensure the quality of the SBA inception report produced by a local implementing partner.
Ensure the quality of the stakeholder mapping report and outreach plan for national Communities of Practice produced by a local implementing partner.
Produce a briefing document on national project implementation for the annual global monitoring report, which will be drafted by the UNEP team.
Ensure the quality of the scoping and SBA reports produced by a local implementing partner, as well as the research plan for the Capacity Needs Assessment produced by a local implementing partner.
Support the preparation of, facilitation of, and reporting on a national steering committee meeting led by a local implementation partner.
Revise the national operational planning file, for which an initial draft was produced by the UNEP team, based on the outcomes.
Provide quality assurance for the capacity needs assessment report and policy brief prepared by the local implementing partner.
Revise the workplan and budget for the local implementing partner(s) in the event of further extensions.

Qualifications/special skills

Post Graduate Degree (Master’s level or above) in public policy, development studies, environmental studies, economics, international affairs, sustainable finance, or related field. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of two years of project/program management experience in climate change, biodiversity, green fiscal policy, and/or macro-economic policy is required. Experience working with government counterparts, preferably from the Ministry of Finance, in Nigeria, is an advantage.
Experience in coordinating multistakeholder engagement processes is an advantage.
Experience in quality-assuring technical outputs related to public finance, specifically fiscal policy, and biodiversity is an advantage.
Previous experience working with or within the United Nations system, including familiarity with UN administrative procedures and reporting standards, is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

National Consultant for Sustainable Fiscal Policy and Budgeting