Consultant for Climate Transparency-GSP III PPG on IPCC Inventory Software

Result of Service• Completed CEO endorsement request package for the Climate Transparency-GSP III project. Work LocationHome-based Expected duration11 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. It 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. This consultancy is in UNEP’s Climate Change Division, GEF Climate Mitigation Unit, Mitigation Branch, Enabling Activities Portfolio, and will be home based. UNEP’s Climate Change Division works with a portfolio of Global Environment Facility (GEF) Enabling Activities in the climate change focal area. This global project, which is at design stage, will be executed by different partners (UNEP-CCC, UNDP Climate Hub & IPCC TFI) with expertise in climate transparency. UNEP, in its role as implementing agency along UNDP, will provide oversight and ensure adherence to GEF guidelines. The IPCC TFI supports countries in enhancing transparency related to climate action by providing scientific assessments, developing methodologies for greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, and offering support and resources, including the IPCC inventory software, to help countries meet their reporting obligations under the Paris Agreement. It is expected that the IPCC Task Force on National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (IPCC-TFI), in collaboration with the Climate Transparency-GSP III will support the enhancement of the IPCC inventory software and the continued interoperability with the UNFCCC ETF software. Under the supervision of the Task Manager for the Enabling Activities portfolio, and in coordination with UNDP, UNEP-CCC and IPCC TFI, the consultant will take part in the project preparation process, developing the content of activities and deliverables under output 1.2. “IPCC TFI gender-responsive knowledge products, including an updated IPCC Inventory Software, are available to developing countries and practitioners” of the full CEO endorsement request package for the Climate Transparency-GSP III project. The IPCC Inventory Software and its interoperability with the UNFCCC ETF reporting tool is a good example of an automated and integrated process that supports quality of information, minimizes the burden and supplements capacity at the highest level; its maintenance and further development to enhance its user-friendliness and capacity is supported. Through Output 1.2, the IPCC Inventory Software for estimation of anthropogenic GHG emissions and removals will be maintained and updated to respond to the needs of developing countries for estimating and reporting national inventories, tracking mitigation actions and preparing Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) for submission to the UNFCCC. Recognizing the growing needs of countries, and the technical limitations of the current Software infrastructure, this project will contribute to the migration of the Software to a new platform with enhanced compatibility with operative systems (Windows OS, MacOS, Linux) and enhanced capacity in data handling, without interruption to current users. Knowledge products developed to support use of the Software will be made available. Updates to the Software will consider gender-disaggregated data collection and gender-responsive methodologies, where applicable. In addition, beta testing teams will include women and those seeking to gather and interpret gender-specific data. Specific tasks and responsibilities: For the development of each CEO endorsement request packages: • Define and submit a detailed methodology and work plan in consultation with the other consultants with clear delegation of responsibilities, under the coordination of the GEF Senior Consultant. • Undertake baseline/situational analysis for the full-size project (FSP), identifying Key barriers and gaps; key stakeholders and institutional arrangements; recent, on-going and planned baseline projects, activities, budgets and goals; co-financing. This will especially focus on the use of the IPCC Inventory Software and its interoperability with the UNFCCC ETF reporting tool; related needs of developing countries for estimating and reporting national inventories, tracking mitigation actions and preparing BTRs for submission to the UNFCCC, current technical limitations of the Software infrastructure, including in terms of user-friendliness and capacity, compatibility with operative systems (Windows OS, MacOS, Linux) and interoperability, available knowledge products; undertake an incremental cost-analysis concerning output 1.2. • Contribute to the stakeholder analysis and consultations, in collaboration with UNEP and UNDP consultants, including consultations with the private sector and civil society organizations; • Ensure the development of output 1.2 on development and improvement of the IPCC Inventory software and ensure its findings are meaningfully integrated into the project’s strategy, theory of change, and results framework in collaboration; • Ensure the design of appropriate project knowledge management processes and platforms, ensuring appropriate linkages to existing mechanisms and knowledge sharing in project landscapes. More specifically: 1- Input to first draft CEO endorsement package concerning deliverables of output 1.2. “IPCC TFI gender-responsive knowledge products, including an updated IPCC Inventory Software, are available to developing countries and practitioners”, as well as baseline analysis and related information in different sections, including: the project summary, log-frame, eligibility criteria, baseline scenario with key barriers and relevant transparency initiatives, alternative scenario with description of project scope and deliverables, theory of change (ToC), stakeholder engagement plan, risks, institutional arrangements and coordination, gender action plan, knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, financial tables, GEF and co-finance budget, work plan, indicators, results framework, procurement plan, supervision plan, and updated SRIF. Particularly, under Output 1.2, the IPCC Inventory Software for estimation of anthropogenic GHG emissions and removals will be maintained and updated to respond to the needs of developing countries for estimating and reporting national inventories, tracking mitigation actions and preparing BTRs for submission to the UNFCCC. Recognizing the growing needs of countries, and the technical limitations of the current Software infrastructure, this project will contribute to the migration of the Software to a new platform with enhanced compatibility with operative systems (Windows OS, MacOS, Linux) and enhanced capacity in data handling, without interruption to current users. Knowledge products developed to support use of the Software will be made available. Updates to the Software will consider gender-disaggregated data collection and gender-responsive methodologies, where applicable. 2- Final CEO endorsement package to be submitted to PRC, concerning deliverables of output 1.2. comprising CEO endorsement document and all required annexes using the latest templates from GEF and UNEP, as well as input to PRC checklist, including the project summary, log-frame, eligibility criteria, baseline scenario with key barriers, problem tree, and relevant transparency initiatives, alternative scenario with description of project scope and deliverables, theory of change (ToC), stakeholder engagement plan and report of stakeholders consultations at PPG, risks, institutional arrangements and coordination, gender action plan, knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, GEF and co-finance budget, work plan, indicators, financial tables, co-finance letters, supervision plan, and signed SRIF. 3- Final CEO endorsement package revised to address PRC comments and be submitted to the GEF: draft responses to PRC comments in the PRC checklist and complete relevant information on IPCC TFI gender-responsive knowledge products in the CEO endorsement package for submission to the GEF; comprising CEO endorsement and all required annexes, including the project summary, eligibility criteria, log-frame, baseline scenario with key barriers, problem tree, and relevant transparency initiatives, alternative scenario with description of project scope and deliverables, theory of change (ToC), stakeholder engagement plan and report of stakeholders consultations at PPG, risks, institutional arrangements and coordination, gender action plan, knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, GEF and co-finance budget, work plan, indicators, financial tables, co-finance letters, supervision plan, and signed SRIF. In addition, provide inputs to Final CEO endorsement package revised to address GEF Sec comments including draft responses to the GEF Review Sheet (supporting all rounds of GEF review and resubmissions), concerning output 1.2 on IPCC TFI gender-responsive knowledge products. Qualifications/special skillsAcademic: • An advanced university degree in engineering, economics, environmental sciences, management, or a related discipline is required • A first-level degree with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. • A minimum of two (2) years of experience in software development and improvement is required. • Experience working with the IPCC Inventory Software and the UNFCCC ETF reporting tool is required. • Experience in developing, assessing, evaluating or managing projects in the field of climate change, renewable energy, environment or development, is required. • Experience in developing, assessing, evaluating or managing projects in the field of climate change, renewable energy, environment or development, is required. • Experience in drafting project proposals and assessing project documents, including concepts, progress reports, work plans, and financial documents (budgets and expenditure reports) is required. • Experience working with GEF or UNEP projects is desirable. • Experience in working for multilateral or bilateral funding entities in the field of climate change, renewable energy environment or development is -desirable. Languages• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency (both oral and written) in English is required. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.