EW-MFA Statistics Consultant

Result of ServiceContent (script) of two online training modules: Module 3 “Material Outflows” and Module 4 “Balancing Items” for the UNEP’s E-learning course on the Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounting (EW-MFA). Work LocationHome-based Expected duration4 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackgound and Organizational Settings The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that 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. UNEP is also the custodian for 25 indicators on oceans, fresh water, biodiversity, sustainable consumption and production, waste, and environmental policy to monitor the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNEP’s Early Warning and Assessment Division is the lead division for the Environment Under Review Sub-programme (SP-7) that aims at empowering stakeholders in their decision making with quality data and assessments made available on open platforms. Through this, the Early Warning and Assessment Division works to provide timely, scientifically credible, policy-relevant environmental assessments, data and information for decision-making and action planning for sustainable development. It also spearheads UN-wide monitoring and reporting on the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. This consultancy is located in the SDG and Environment Statistics Unit, Early Warning and Data Analytics Branch, Early Warning and Assessment Division. The key functions of the SDG and Environment Statistics Unit are: (1) to improve, provide and promote SDG indicator methodologies, environment statistics, accounts and analysis; (2) to fulfil UNEP’s international obligations as the custodian agency for 25 SDG indicators and as lead environmental agency in the UN System; (3) to provide coordinated and innovative support to countries on environment statistics, accounting and analysis; (4) to develop, and promote the use of innovative tools and methodologies for statistical analyses in the environmental field. The objective of this consultancy is to develop the content (script) of two online training modules: Module 3 “Material Outflows” and Module 4 “Balancing Items”, as the final two components of the UNEP’s E-learning course on the Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounting (EW-MFA). The developed Modules 3 and 4 will be included in the UNEP’s E-learning course on EW-MFA and will complement Module 1 “Domestic Extraction” and Module 2 “Trade Flows” to support countries in compiling the EW-MFA of the System of Environment-Economic Accounting, as well as reporting on SDG Indicators 8.4.1/12.2.1 “Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP” and 8.4.2/12.2.2 “Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP”, which are under UNEP custodianship. Module 3 “Material Outflows” of the E-learning course on EW-MFA should describe the calculation of the total mass of materials released to the environment as wastes and emissions after having been used in the domestic economy, reflecting on the output side of the economy. Output flows occur at the processing, manufacturing, use and final disposal stages of economic production and consumption chain. Module 4 “Balancing Items” of the E-learning course on EW-MFA should describe the calculation of balancing items, which are defined as the additional inputs and outputs necessary to establish a material balance of the economy. The developed content (script) should be based on relevant international statistical standards, including the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting Central Framework and the System of National Accounts, as well as relevant UNEP’s products such as “The use of natural resources in the economy: A Global Manual on Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounting” (UNEP, 2023) and the UNEP’s EW-MFA Compiler, and, in addition to calculation methods, should contain recommendations on national data sources, convection coefficients for different types of materials and other useful information. Specific tasks and responsibilities Under the direct guidance of the Programme Management Officer in the SDG and Environment Statistics Unit of the Early Warning and Data Analytics Branch of the Early Warning and Assessment Division of UNEP, the consultant will perform the following tasks; The consultant is expected to develop the content (script) based on relevant international statistical standards, including the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting Central Framework and the System of National Accounts, as well as relevant UNEP’s products such as “The use of natural resources in the economy: A Global Manual on Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounting” (UNEP, 2023) and the UNEP’s EW-MFA Compiler, and contained calculation 5/5 methods, recommendations on national data sources, convection coefficients for different types of materials and other useful information; to work with UNEP and other UN and national stakeholders to review and finalize the content (script) and integrate comments and feedback received. Qualifications/special skillsMaster's degree in economics or statistics is required. Master's degree in environmental science, data science, information science, or another related field is desirable. At least 7 years of technical experience with the System of Environmental- Economic Accounting at the national, regional or global level is required. • Experience in Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounting is required. Experience working with national statistical offices on data collection/reporting and capacity building in environment statistics is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in English (both oral and written) 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.