Cities Expert

Result of Service

The Cities Expert will be responsible for supporting the Brazilian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) in the elaboration of the Cities sector mitigation plan for the Plano Clima, with an integrated co-mitigation of GHGs and Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) approach. The work will be conducted under the coordination of the Plano Clima Senior Technical Coordinator, following general guidance from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change as well as UNEP-CCC, and specific guidance from the respective focal point of the Ministry leading the Sectoral Plan. As a result of the elaboration of the Brazilian National Climate Plan, it is expected that the proposed sectoral plan provides a clear set of actions in the Cities sector to be implemented by the government for aligning the Brazilian economy towards a trajectory consistent with the targets defined. The sectoral plan should be integrated into a robust implementation strategy and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework.

Work Location

Brasilia, home-based

Expected duration

6.4 months

Duties and Responsibilities

In recognition of the seriousness of the climate emergency, the government of Brazil is now committed to structuring a renewed and ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). In comparison to the proposition presented at COP 21, Brazil aims to achieve a 48% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2025 and 53% GHG emissions reduction by 2030. In September 2023, the Brazilian government restructured the Interministerial Committee on Climate Change – CIM, which will be an important locus for management, coordination, and articulation regarding the national climate policy. In addition to determining the correction of the Brazilian NDC to the levels of ambition that Brazil had initially proposed in 2015, the Committee established interministerial working groups to the Brazilian carbon market (SBCE) and to update the law that established the National Policy on Climate Change – PNMC. The CIM also established a Resolution that mandates updating the National Plan on Climate Change – Plano Clima, establishing two interministerial working groups to coordinate the work, one on mitigation and the other on adaptation. Plano Clima will be the main instrument for implementing climate policy, thus consolidating the strategies and goals of the Federal Government to achieve the objectives of the PNMC and the goals of the Brazilian NDC. The new Climate Plan will cover the period between 2024 and 2035 and will have national and sectoral mitigation and adaptation targets for the years 2030 and 2035, simultaneously compatible with the objective of climate neutrality. The Climate Plan (2024 – 2035) will include national mitigation and adaptation strategies as well as a cross-cutting strategy for climate action. On the mitigation side, a major component of the national mitigation strategy under development consists of seven sectoral mitigation plans. These plans cover agriculture and livestock, land use and forests, energy (including electricity and fuels), industry, waste, cities (including urban mobility), and transport, and will be complemented by relevant aspects in the cross-cutting strategy. The mitigation component is expected to be developed with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC), with funding from the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT). UNEP-CCC is therefore seeking an Expert for supporting the elaboration of the Cities Sectoral Mitigation Plan for the Plano Clima. Objectives: The consultant will support the delivery of the mitigation component of the Brazil Plano Clima and be responsible for the preparation of the sectoral mitigation plan for Cities. This will involve ensuring alignment with the National Mitigation Strategy and the climate ambitious goals of the government, as well as including SLCP reduction considerations with special focus on methane. Activities – Work closely with designated sectoral focal points in government to qualitatively and quantitatively outline the mitigation actions for the Cities sector, based on modeling results (conducted by COPPE/UFRJ) and the respective sectoral carbon budget. – Work closely with the Plano Clima sectoral focal points in government to define actions, programs, and specific measures for achieving the sectoral goals. – Work in collaboration with the Financial Analysis Expert and M&E Expert consultants (to be hired) to integrate the proposed actions into a feasible and transparent framework. – Participate in and support the Senior Technical Coordinator with content development for sectoral workshops to gather input from Cities sector players in the private sector and civil society. – Support technical sectoral discussions by preparing science-based recommendations and presentations on relevant topics related to sectoral mitigation levers and their implications for MMA and governmental sector focal points. – Support the Senior Technical Coordinator in in the consultation process of the Cities sectoral plan content with relevant experts and stakeholders. – In coordination with the Senior Technical Coordinator, prepare draft versions of the Cities sectoral plan based on the sector’s plan templates and incorporate feedback from MMA and stakeholders. – Provide inputs to align Brazil’s enhanced transparency system, particularly regarding NDC tracking and updating, with the approach of carbon budgets. This includes developing QA/QC processes, including sensitivity and uncertainty analysis. – Maintain contact and participate in meetings with technical experts from UNEP-CCC and other relevant UNEP divisions. 3.2. Specific tasks and responsibilities Deliverable 1: a) Initial work plan of overall tasks and activities aligned with the Cities Sectoral Plan Workplan, including suggestions for a list of technical presentations on relevant topics to be discussed with MMA and partners in the format of technical meetings, agreed with UNEP-CCC in coordination with the Government. b) In line with the sector plans templates, prepare/review the draft chapter outlining the current context of GHGs and SLCP emissions in the Cities sector, the economic, political, and strategic relevance of the sector, and highlight the sector’s role in the country’s mitigation efforts with key emission drivers by region, including relevant past mitigation efforts and policies in place. Deliverable 2: a) Report on the proposed course of actions, considering interfaces with other sectors and the respective competence and influence of the Cities sector. b) Submission of a progress report outlining activities taken to advance the implementation of the agreed sectoral work plan, proposing adjustments as necessary for approval. Deliverable 3: Submission of a progress report outlining activities taken to advance the implementation of the agreed sectoral work plan, proposing adjustments as necessary for approval. Deliverable 4: a) Report estimating the emission reductions of proposed actions using an emissions policies simulation tool. b) Submission of a progress report outlining activities taken to advance the implementation of the agreed sectoral work plan, proposing adjustments as necessary for approval. Deliverable 5: a) Sectoral Action Plan with programs and specific measures, including the respective Monitoring and Evaluation framework and means of implementation for reaching the sectoral budget, agreed with the Brazilian Government, UNEP-CCC, and UNEP Brazil. b) Submission of a progress report outlining activities taken to advance the implementation of the agreed sectoral work plan, proposing adjustments as necessary for approval. Deliverable 6: a) Report on the just transition contributions of the Sectoral Action Plan. b) Submission of a progress report outlining activities taken to advance the implementation of the agreed sectoral work plan, proposing adjustments as necessary for approval. Deliverable 7: a) Final version of the Sectoral Mitigation Plan for Cities, incorporating inputs from the Public Consultation process and other expert reviews, agreed with the Brazilian Government, UNEP-CCC, and UNEP Brazil. b) Policy brief of the Sectoral Plan, comprising recommendations for policymakers and key messages for the sector. c) Submission of a progress report outlining activities taken to advance the implementation of the agreed sectoral work plan, proposing adjustments as necessary for approval.

Qualifications/special skills

● Advanced university degree, master or equivalent in Urban Development, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources Management, or relevant fields of study. ● A first-level university degree in combination with 6 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. ● A minimum of 8 years of practical experience in climate change policy development and advice in Cities in Brazil. ● Proven experience in Cities, Urban Development, Urban Mobility, or Buildings and Housing sectors ● Experience with Brazil’s public sector institutions is an asset. ● Experience in climate finance is an asset. ● Experience with short-lived climate pollutants is an asset (Solid Waste and Wastewater, Transportation, Energy). ● Technical expertise working with Cities, Urban Development, Urban Mobility, or Buildings and Housing sectors is required ● Familiarity with emissions policies simulation tools is an asset ● In-depth knowledge of the national plans, strategies, and policies related to climate change in Brazil is required. ● Proven ability to work under pressure, with tight deadlines is required ● Proven ability in articulation with different organizations and sectors (public and private) is required ● Proven ability to write technical or policy documents is required

Languages

● Excellent verbal and written communication in English and Portuguese is required.

Additional Information

Objectives: The consultant will support the delivery of the mitigation component of the Brazil Plano Clima and be responsible for the preparation of the sectoral mitigation plan for Cities. This will involve ensuring alignment with the National Mitigation Strategy and the climate ambitious goals of the government, as well as including SLCP reduction considerations with special focus on methane. Performance indicators: ● Timely submission of all deliverables according to the work plan, with clear and sufficient writing for MMA, UNEP-CCC, and UNEP Brazil comments, making required adjustments as necessary. ● Attend regular coordination calls with the Senior Technical Coordinator, UNEP-CCC, and other UNEP experts, as well as maintain daily communication with the government-appointed sectoral focal points, MMA, and the UNEP Brazil office. ● Achieve the expected outcome of the consultancy: Brazil has a Sectoral Mitigation Plan for Cities consistent with a GHG and SLCP modeled co-mitigation pathway, aligned with a feasible implementation strategy and a harmonized M&E framework.

No Fee

THE 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.