Technical consultant on Loss & Damages for Panama

Result of ServiceThis consultancy aims to assess and analyze the impacts of climate change on the country's vulnerable populations, ecosystems, and infrastructure. The goal is to ensure that these projects contribute to Panama's NDC and LTS, promote sustainable development, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Specific tasks and responsibilities • Consult with key stakeholders to gather information on loss and damage scenarios and the potential impact on the community. • Engage with stakeholders to understand existing adaptation and mitigation measures in place and their effectiveness. • Ensure that gender differentiated considerations are integrated into the assessment and analysis, and that recommendations and strategies are inclusive and equitable. Output 1. Provide a comprehensive analysis of the current situation in Panama with regards to loss and damage scenarios and identify potential risks and threats to different sectors and communities and highlight existing and future adaptation and mitigation measures that can be taken to address them. Product No. 1. A document containing a report detailing the proposed approaches of the consultancy and a specific methodology of implementation to achieve the detailed deliverables. The document should encompass the following: • Identify the project's scope including the key action points and the prioritized projects of the different NDC sectors, as discussed in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Environment for the analysis done in Product No. 2 and Product No. 4. • Conduct a needs assessment to gather information on both the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s and the Ministry of Environment’s requirements, goals, and expectations. This information should be collected through meetings and interviews. • Develop a work plan with the proposed approach in mind, including the methodology of implementation to be used in order to present the products in the indicated time, achieving the outlined objective and allowing both ministries to follow the progress of implementation. The plan should also identify any potential risks for the project and possible mitigation strategies to overcome them. Before submitting the product, the consultant will conduct meetings with the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Economy and Finance located in Panama City, Panama to gather inputs from such entities to support the development of such a product. Product No. 2. A Loss and Damage Diagnosis Report related to the alignment of public sector financial flows. This report should include a comprehensive analysis of the current situation, potential loss and damage scenarios and how it affects public sector projects (identified in Product No. 1) and financial flows, as well as the identification of existing and future adaptation and mitigation measures that are already or soon to be implemented in public sector projects. In addition, the report must provide recommendations and ways forward regarding the different projects being implemented in the public sector, and include a review of potential international financing opportunities that could contribute to strengthening public policies in support of the sectors contemplated in the NDC's. The report can include documented study characteristics, thematic areas, trends, gaps, and opportunities. The goal is to create an orientation on climate change issues related to the public sector financial flows, identifying and prioritizing the most vulnerable areas, communities, households, gender specific issues, climate induced migration and their adaptation needs and priorities. Product No. 3. A gender-differentiated analysis to analyze the social and financial impact of loss and damage on different genders within the country, taking special attention to the different gender dynamics within the multiple cultures that are a part of the Panamanian social and political composition Consider how existing gender inequalities and power dynamics may impact the effectiveness of the existing adaptation and mitigation measures and provide recommendations and ways forward. The report should ensure the perspectives of the most vulnerable groups are included in decision‐making by carrying out policy‐relevant research and critical analyses of loss and damage and provide opportunity to gear up efforts to integrate results into other climate change plans. The consultant will work alongside the Gender team of the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, conducting at least three (3) meetings to discuss the gender aspects of the consultancy. Work LocationPanama City, Panama Expected duration5 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, works closely with the 33 countries of the region. Its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). Throughout UNEP's work, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change marks a turning point to an emerging climate regime that brings all the states and actors together to a new global platform to address the growing risks to our planet. The climate crisis continues to affect the planet and threatens to become irreversible, impacting the territories and populations of Panama and the rest of the world. To comply with the Paris Agreement, Panama has developed a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and a Long-Term Climate Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change. Due to climate change, Panama faces deforestation, coastal erosion, and water scarcity challenges. These challenges have consequences for biodiversity, tourism, and infrastructure. However, Panama is one of the few countries in the world that has achieved carbon negativity, meaning it absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits. This achievement is thanks to the country's extensive forest coverage covering over 50% of its land area. In this line, the government of Panama has recognized the importance of combating climate change and aligning its financial flows with the Paris Agreement goals. Therefore, the country has implemented various policies and initiatives to promote forest conservation and sustainable land use practices, such as creating protected areas and reforestation programs. Moreover, the government has also introduced policies to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, and reduce emissions from the industrial sector. Additionally, the country's priority is to align the financial sector's investments with climate goals and establishing a framework for measuring, reporting, and verifying climate finance. Thus, coordination between the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) is necessary to implement Panama's NDC and LTS. This consultancy aims to assess and analyze the impacts of climate change on the country's vulnerable populations, ecosystems, and infrastructure. The goal is to ensure that these projects contribute to Panama's NDC and LTS, promote sustainable development, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. With this in mind, UNEP and the government of Panama have designed a project for the Partnership Action Fund (PAF), funded by the NDC Partnership (Nationally Determined Contributions Partnership). The fund supports NDC enhancement and implementation by reinforcing technical expertise and capacities to address gaps in developing country members. The PAF will complement the NDC Partnership's implementing and development partners' existing support offerings to catalyze further climate action. Among other things, this project will support the implementation of the country's NDCs for their transparency and legitimacy. In this sense, UNEP LACO is recruiting a technical consultant on Loss & Damages for Panama to strengthen their NDCs and Transparency goals. The incumbent will be supervised by UNEP’s Energy & Efficiency Programme Management Officer of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean Office and will work three out of five days at the offices of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and two days out of five at the offices of the Ministry of Environment of Panama located in Panama City, Panama with a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, 5 days a week. Qualifications/special skillsEDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: • Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, economics, water/disaster/climate change policy; political science or closely related field (required). • Masters or equivalent in natural sciences including social sciences like Anthropology, Economics, Sociology, Development Studies or related disciplines. (desirable). WORK EXPERIENCE: • Minimum 3 years work experience in climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, disaster risk reduction and management and/or environmental policy and regulation. (required). • In-depth knowledge and professional experience from climate change adaptation and/or disaster risk management research, programming or evaluation. (desirable). • Demonstrated experience in the preparation of policy and strategy reports for national governments and the technical review of national reports and relevant international documents. (desirable). • Proven experience in organizing workshops and interviews with senior figures in ministries and state institutions in the country. (desirable). • Working experience within the Latin American region in general and Panama in particular is an asset. (desirable). LANGUAGE: • Fluency in Spanish (required). • Fluency in English (desirable). SKILLS: PROFESSIONALISM • Experience in the design, preparation and execution of proposals related to climate change or for the exercise of indigenous rights, according to international standards. • Management of the gender, intercultural and human rights approach of indigenous peoples. • Management of Office tools and digital platforms. • Excellent writing and teamwork skills. • Proactive capacity, responsibility and commitment. • Excellent understanding of national climate change commitments. • Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change, indigenous peoples and adaptation planning. • Ability to identify, analyze and participate in resolving issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work, and manage conflicting priorities. • Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. • Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. • Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. • Shows persistence when faced with complex problems or challenges. • Remains calm in stressful situations. TEAMWORK: • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. • solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise. • is willing to learn from others; supports and acts following 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: • Develop clear goals consistent with agreed strategies. • Identifies priority activities and assignments. • Adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate 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. LanguagesNot available. 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.