Environmental Law and Policy Specialist (MVP5 Carbon Markets)

Result of ServiceThe Consultant will support developing guidance products to implement the priority areas of climate change in general and legal frameworks on carbon markets in particular; under the Montevideo Programme V. Work LocationUnited Nations Complex, Gigiri, Nairobi Expected duration6 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes 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 is the United Nations system’s lead entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. UNEP’s Law Division works with countries around the world to develop, implement and promote legal and institutional frameworks for environmental management and sustainable development. Its strategic direction in this respect comes from the Fifth Programme for the Development and Periodic Review of Environmental Law (Montevideo Programme V) adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly under resolution 4/20 in March 2019, as an intergovernmental programme designed to promote the development and implementation of environmental rule of law, strengthen the related capacity in countries, and contribute to the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda. Through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, Governments are required adopt, implement and enforce legal frameworks, and establish appropriate institutional capacity to mitigate climate change. Carbon markets, if appropriately designed and implemented, have the potential to enhance mitigation efforts and offer countries significant funding flows for cost-effective opportunities to engage in mitigation activities and enhance climate ambition. Growing interest from countries in using markets and voluntary cooperation to implement their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is projected to increase engagement in carbon trading in coming years (2021 UNEP, Emissions Gap Report). Currently, countries adopt a diversity of governance approaches to carbon markets, depending on their national circumstances (2021 UNEP). The adoption of rules governing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) further paved the way for countries to collaborate on reducing emissions and establish carbon markets. Additionally, the Second Global Meeting of the Montevideo Programme V prioritized developing climate change legislation including strengthening of national legal frameworks in line with global environmental agreements. In order to carry out the above mandate, the Law Division through the Montevideo Coordination and Delivery Unit (MCDU) seeks to engage a consultant to support the MCDU in undertaking the various tasks required in developing guidance products on legal issues related to carbon markets. 11. Duties and Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Head of the MCDU, the Consultant will support the development of guidance products on legal issues related to carbon markets as follows: a) Situational Analysis: legal frameworks on carbon markets The Consultant will prepare a situational analysis report of a maximum of 30 pages, to inform the development of a guidance document on legal frameworks on carbon markets. For this purpose, the Consultant will: i. Collect and review national, regional and international legal instruments on climate change in general, including relevant conference of the parties’ decisions, rules or guidelines, and in particular on carbon markets; ii. Identify and analyse key issues, including gaps, constraints, and opportunities, that affect carbon markets establishment and operation and present case studies; iii. Prepare an inception report detailing the key issues from a desk review; the methodology for collecting and analysing information for undertaking a situation analysis; the range and role of stakeholders to be consulted; and the timeline for the review; iv. Prepare a situational analysis report for legal frameworks on carbon markets, covering the areas in an annotated outline, as appropriate, considering results of desk or literature review and stakeholders’ consultation, and the guidance of the Head of MCDU; v. Submit a draft situational analysis report for stakeholders’ review and validation by selected experts including National Focal Points for the Montevideo Programme V; and vi. Finalize the situational analysis report considering inputs provided by stakeholders. b) Guidance on legal frameworks on carbon markets The Consultant will prepare a Guidance for supporting countries to develop, strengthen and implement national laws on carbon markets. In particular the Consultant will:- i. Use the situational analysis report to identify the elements of a guidance on national, regional and international legal frameworks on carbon markets. ii. Develop the guide focusing on international trends, good practices and gaps as well as the core information and case studies on the development and strengthening national laws on carbon markets identified in the situational analysis report. iii. Focus on the elements in the annotated outline, as appropriate, considering results of desk or literature review, stakeholders’ consultation and the overall guidance of the Head of the MCDU; iv. Submit a draft guidance for stakeholders’ review and validation by selected experts including National Focal Points for the Montevideo Programme V; and v. Finalize the guidance considering inputs provided by stakeholders. Qualifications/special skillsAn advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental law, climate law, or international law is required. A first level (undergraduate) degree in law alongside relevant experience in environmental law, climate law, or international law may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in environmental law, climate law, international law, or climate change-related matters is required. Experience in preparing guidance documents or providing technical legal assistance to countries in support of legal drafting and development of legal frameworks for environment and climate change is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Excellent legal research and drafting skills. Excellent writing and communication skills. Strong analytical skills. Demonstrated capacity to work in a consultative manner. Direct working experience in environmental law, climate law, or climate change matters. 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.