Forests and Communities Advisor – LAC

Result of ServiceThe main objective of this consultancy is to provide technical expertise to strengthen forest and climate finance work in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a particular focus on Brazil at national and subnational levels. The consultant will bolster the implementation of UNEP’s forest-finance and carbon-market agenda, working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Brazil (MMA), the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM), and other key partners. This will include technical guidance to the MMA in the preparation of documents, coordination of initiatives, and organization of events related to forest finance and carbon markets. Through these activities, the consultant will also contribute to UNEP’s Climate Mitigation Unit global efforts on post-COP30 follow-up, South-South cooperation (including Brazil–China collaboration), and the advancement of knowledge management, communications, and advocacy on forests and climate finance. Work LocationBrasilia Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama works closely with the 33 countries of the region, and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). Following COP30, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) face the important task of moving from pledges and commitments to concrete action. Many jurisdictions at national and subnational levels continue to face challenges related to deforestation, forest degradation, sustainable forest management, and meeting climate and biodiversity targets. Scaling up forest and climate action will require increased access to sustainable finance and investment, as well as the effective application of environmental and social safeguards. UNEP supports this agenda by providing knowledge, advocacy, communications, and technical assistance on forest finance and related socio-environmental issues. In this context, UNEP LACO is seeking a consultant to collaborate with the Climate Mitigation Unit (CMU) in delivering knowledge products, technical reports, and capacity-building activities related to forest finance in the LAC region. The work will contribute to initiatives linked to REDD+ and carbon markets, the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), direct access to finance for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs), safeguards, and bioeconomy. UNEP LACO is recruiting a consultant to strengthen the capacity of Latin American countries by providing targeted technical advice, generating knowledge, and offering strategic input on forest finance and related themes. The consultant will work closely with the UNEP LACO team to bolster knowledge-sharing, advocacy and communication, ensuring inclusive approaches to forest finance implementation in the region, with particular emphasis on Brazil at national and subnational levels. The consultant will be supervised by the Programme Manager Officer of the UN-REDD+ Programme for UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office and will work full time (40 hours per week) from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) offices in Brasília, contributing with the Directorate of Economic Affairs. The consultant will contribute to UNEP’s Climate Mitigation Unit (CMU) in Latin America and the Caribbean, bolstering the implementation of the forest and climate finance agenda in Brazil and the region. Working closely with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Brazil (MMA), IPAM, and other partners, the consultant will: • Provide technical and analytical inputs on forest finance, REDD+, carbon markets, and related policy processes. • Contribute to knowledge management, communications, and advocacy activities, including post-COP30 follow-up and South-South cooperation (e.g., Brazil–China). • Strengthen planning and facilitation of capacity-building activities, technical workshops, and stakeholder engagement processes. • Collaborate with the preparation of reports, briefs, and knowledge materials to strengthen coordination between UNEP, government counterparts, and regional partners. • Contribute to the organization of events and high-level dialogues, ensuring alignment with UNEP priorities and effective dissemination of key messages and outcomes. To contribute to the delivery of these objectives, the consultant will contribute to the following activities: a) Contribute to the preparation and technical review of reports, analyses, and other documents related to forest finance, REDD+, and carbon markets in Brazil and the LAC region, identifying key findings, policy implications, and next steps. b) Provide technical inputs and coordination guidance to MMA-led processes related to forest finance, carbon markets, and post-COP30 implementation, ensuring alignment with UNEP priorities and international frameworks. c) Adapt and prepare technical and communication materials for governments and local stakeholders, ensuring messages are clear, accessible, and validated with relevant experts before dissemination. d) Strengthen the development and dissemination of knowledge and advocacy materials tailored to different audiences — including government agencies, financial institutions, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP/LCs), and civil society — with the purpose of improving understanding and visibility of topics such as forest finance, REDD+, carbon markets, benefit sharing, and safeguards, and ensuring consistency with UNEP priorities and national processes. e) Conduct a review of tenure rights and direct access mechanisms for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP and LCs) in the LAC region, with emphasis on Brazil, analyzing legal and institutional aspects, challenges and opportunities, and preparing practical recommendations. f) Prepare short summaries, briefs, and other knowledge products relevant to UNEP’s regional and global partnerships, including South-South cooperation (e.g., Brazil–China), ensuring that outputs are concise, technically sound, and accessible for target audiences. g) Contribute to the design and implementation of a timeline and plan for communications and advocacy activities linked to post-COP30 deliverables and UNEP’s Forest and climate finance agenda in Brazil, identifying key messages, target audiences, dissemination channels, and opportunities for visibility and engagement. h) Contribute to the planning, coordination, and implementation of capacity-building activities and events (in-person or virtual) on forest and climate finance, safeguards, and related topics, including the preparation of concept notes, agendas, participant lists, facilitation, and follow-up summaries with lessons learned and recommendations. Qualifications/special skillsACADEMIC • Bachelor’s degree in environmental management, economics, sociology, anthropology, or a related field (required). • A master’s degree in environmental management, economics, sociology, anthropology, or a related field (desired). EXPERIENCE • Three (3) years experience working on forest finance topics is required. These may include areas such as REDD+, carbon markets, payment for ecosystem services, direct finance access for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs), or the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF). • Experience working on environment and climate-related issues in Brazil is desirable. • Experience in organising workshops, capacity-building activities, writing reports, and developing publications or knowledge materials is desirable. • Familiarity with safeguards and other REDD+-related topics in the LAC region is desirable. Languages• Fluency in English is required. • Fluency in Portuguese is required. • Basic knowledge of Spanish is desirable. COMPETENCIES: ● Professionalism: Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. He/she shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. ● Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. ● Teamwork: Is able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve organizational goals and to take leadership when appropriate; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. ● Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. 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.