UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) - Taxonomy Interoperability Expert

Result of ServiceFollowing the publication of the Chilean Green taxonomy, the European Union (DG INTPA) has agreed to carry out an assessment of commonalities and differences between the Chilean Green taxonomy and the EU taxonomy, to foster interoperability between the two frameworks. The assessment will result in a report available in English and Spanish. Its public release will be contingent upon agreement from relevant Chilean authorities, particularly the Ministry of Finance, which leads Chile’s taxonomy development under the Directive Level of its governance structure. The objective of this comparative study is to help provide clarity, transparency, and access of information to domestic and international investors, policy makers and taxonomy users about what activities can be considered as “green” – “taxonomy aligned” in both Chile and the EU. It will, thus, increase confidence in the market (including any recommendations for adjustments beyond the scope of the exercise). The Interoperability Taxonomy Expert will develop the report to inform the domestic and international investor community about commonalities and differences between the Chilean Green Taxonomy and the EU Taxonomy. This document will be directed at users who, due to the geographical location of their economic activities, must apply both taxonomies. In this sense, similarities, possible equivalences, and differences will be identified between the Technical Selection Criteria, activities, and sectors of each taxonomy. Additionally, the study should clearly specify the additional analyses that entities must perform when evaluating their activities under the European Union's Taxonomy and, subsequently, under the Chilean one, and vice versa. Work LocationWorking remotely / Home-based Expected duration2 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. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities, and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals, and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices, and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is the strategic partnership between the United Nations and over 500 banks, insurers, and investors. For over 32 years UNEP FI has been shaping and driving the international sustainable finance agenda, setting global standards, and growing a global network of leading financial institutions. Through its work-streams delivering resources to advance sustainable finance and regional activities, peer learning, training and research, UNEP FI carries out its mission to help the financial industry align with and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and with that take on the crucial role it must play in achieving a sustainable future. Global policy and regulatory measures on sustainable finance have increased substantially over the recent years. Public policy critically affects the ability of finance institutions to generate sustainable positive and reduce negative impacts through financing decisions. It affects the sustainability and stability of financial markets, as well as social, environmental, and economic systems. Sustainable finance policies have become central to enabling and accelerating a successful transition. UNEP FI's activities in in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region contribute to expand the regional sustainable finance market with the aim to attract private capital towards environmentally sustainable investments. Working on policy and regulatory developments in the LAC region provides a unique opportunity for UNEP FI’s Policy Team to consolidate its position as a leading advocate for sustainable finance globally. In addition, UNEP FI has been mandated by several Member States to support the development of policy and regulatory frameworks in the LAC region including contributes to several Multilateral Policy Platforms on Sustainable Finance. The Taxonomy Interoperability Expert will be directly supervised by the LAC Policy Lead at UNEP FI. S/he will develop a comparison study between the Chilean Taxonomy and the EU Taxonomy to inform the domestic and international investor community about commonalities and differences between both taxonomies. Specific tasks and responsibilities : The consultant will provide assistance in the following project/tasks: Detailed methodology The analysis should be carried out in a five-step approach. 1. Activity matching. Assess the activities in the two taxonomies to determine which of them are exact or close matches for the comparison. The matches may include one-to-one activity match, one-to-many and many-to-one matches. This step also identifies those activities in either taxonomy which cannot be matched with a similar activity in the other taxonomy – these should be explicitly listed as such. 2. Assessing and providing an overview of the similarity of the matched activity scopes covered by the two jurisdictions. The scopes may be similar or differ in terms of what scope delimitations or sub-elements the activity includes or excludes. One or the other activity scope may be more broadly or narrowly defined.  Four metrics are to be used for the comparison outcome indication:  Incomparable: the activity description and scope are dissimilar in nature (This should occur very rarely, e.g., where the activity title is similar, but the scope substantially different. If two activities have no similarity either in the title nor description, they should not be a matched pair)  Less broadly defined activity scope: Chilean taxonomy activity has narrower activity scope or more exclusions.  More broadly defined activity scope: Chilean taxonomy activity has broader activity scope or less exclusions.  Very similar: The activity scope is the same or very similar. 3. Assessing and providing an overview of the substantial contribution technical screening criteria level of similarity for each economic activity.  The methodological approach should use four different metrics: • Incomparable: neither of the two taxonomies has any similar requirements or thresholds in common. • Less stringent/ambitious and/or less detailed: Chilean green taxonomy criteria are less stringent/ambitious and/or less detailed as demonstrated by fewer or less detailed requirements and/or lower thresholds. 4. More stringent/ambitious and/or more detailed: Chilean green taxonomy criteria are more stringent/ambitious and/or more detailed as demonstrated by higher number or more detailed requirements and/or higher thresholds. Very similar: both taxonomies have a similar number of requirements and similar thresholds. Comparison of the DNSH technical screening criteria. It will provide a detailed analysis of the specifics and substance of commonalities and differences.  The methodology and analysis performed should use four different metrics: • Incomparable: neither of the two taxonomies have any similar requirements or thresholds in common. • Less stringent/ambitious and/or less detailed: Chilean green taxonomy criteria are less stringent/ambitious and/or less detailed as demonstrated by fewer or less detailed requirements and/or lower thresholds. • More stringent/ambitious and/or more detailed: Chilean green taxonomy criteria are more stringent/ambitious and/or more detailed as demonstrated by higher number or more detailed requirements and/or higher thresholds. • Very similar: both taxonomies have a similar number of requirements and similar thresholds. Comparison of the approach to Minimum Safeguards or other social safeguards in the two taxonomies. The results will be summarized in an internal draft report and should include detailed information at activity level. For each activity, the report should explicitly state the cause of any difference, guiding the reader to the respective taxonomies for detailed information. Subsequently, the second and conclusive draft of the report will be submitted for review by the European Union Delegation in Chile and Headquarters, in addition to the pertinent Chilean ministries or bodies. This review process will be completed within three weeks from the submission date of the draft. The final report will serve to provide information to policymakers, and taxonomy users on the compatibility of the two taxonomies. It will capture, articulate, and communicate the differences and the rationale of those differences. Study mission to Chile After an initial desk-research, the expert will perform a mission to Chile whereby he/she will conduct interviews and/or liaise with the relevant stakeholders from the relevant Chilean authorities to clarify and/or confirm his/her understanding of the Chilean taxonomy. The mission will take place in close cooperation with the European Union, and the relevant Chilean authorities, the expert being under the strict responsibility of permanent coordination with these two institutions during the entire assignment. Before the start of the mission, all involved parties will agree on an agenda detailing all interviews to be conducted (incl. participants, timing, etc.) at the relevant Chilean authorities’ premises among others. The relevant Chilean authorities will designate a reference person that will accompany and support the expert at the relevant Chilean authorities’ premises. The reference person will therefore be available during the entire days of the expert’s mission provided that he/she may not need to participate to all meetings unless the relevant Chilean authorities’ requests. The relevant Chilean authorities will provide the expert with an office space/meeting room if necessary (e.g., multiple non-consecutive meetings on the same day). The EU Delegation will provide a temporary office space (conference room) on request, where the expert may work during the mission (except for when carrying out the interviews at the relevant Chilean authorities’ premises). Outputs and Deliverables: • Inception and preparatory phase deliverable: o A presentation outlining the project’s scope, detailed methodology, and a comprehensive work plan with key milestones and timelines to be presented to Chilean stakeholders during the kick-off meeting. o A presentation introducing the comparison study and background information to be presented to Chilean stakeholders during country visit. • First interim draft comparative report between the EU taxonomies of Chile and the European Union (pre-mission, no reviews): report structure, overview of taxonomies' architecture, big-picture scope and coverage, context, activity matching, set-up for comparison. • Second draft comparative report between the EU taxonomies of Chile and the European Union (feedback round included): Full draft, first pass comparison completed. • Final ccomparative report between the taxonomies of Chile and the European Union. • A presentation on the comparative analysis of the Chilean and European Union taxonomies for final presentation at stakeholder workshop The layout and methodology of the report should be similar to the reports comparing the EU Taxonomy and the Colombian Taxonomy, available at this link. The results should include detailed information at activity level. For each activity, the report should explicitly state the cause of any difference, guiding the reader to the respective taxonomies for detailed information. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and report directly to the UNEP FI’s LAC Policy Lead. Qualifications/special skillsEducation: A master’s degree in the following areas: law, economics, social or environmental sciences, business administration, or finance studies is required. A bachelor’s degree may be accepted in lieu of a master’s degree, provided the candidate has 7 years of related experience. Professional experience: A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience and expertise in sustainable finance policy and regulatory framework development is required. Ideally initial professional experience in the field of finance regulation with a focus on taxonomies development and comparison. Practical experience in supporting the intersection between sustainable development and finance. LanguagesLanguages: English is the working language of UNEP FI. Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Spanish is desirable. Additional InformationSpecial skills/Knowledge: • Proven track record of contributing to policy development or change in sustainability, finance, or a related field. • Proven multi-year experience of working on jurisdictional sustainable finance taxonomies and deep understanding of EU Taxonomy would be highly advantageous. • Excellent written communication skills, with experience of writing in a concise, credible and persuasive manner. • Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills. • A collaborative and consultative approach to others. • Excellent oral and written communications skills in English. • Ability to cope with juggling multiple tasks across diverse projects in an organized and timely manner, attention to detail. • The consultant should have the ability to establish and maintain good working relations in a multicultural and geographically dispersed team working across functions. A hands-on, pragmatic approach is desirable. • Reliable and delivers consistently high quality within agreed timeframes. Colleagues, external partners, and constituents/clients trust the candidate because they follow through on commitments towards others. Well-organized self-starter with proven ability to move multi-stakeholder processes and initiatives forward at a good pace. Can motivate others and develop inclusive structures and processes that cater to the needs of clients/constituents and create ownership. Team player understands work as contributing to an overall objective, not an end. Can adapt behavior and style of communication to different cultural contexts. • Motivated and driven by the purpose the team/organization is working towards and the impacts they are trying to achieve. 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.