UNDP Jobs - 55571- International Consultant for Development of Carbon

International Consultant for Development of Carbon Offset Scheme

Location :

Home-based and Podgorica, MONTENEGRO

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

11-May-2015

Application Deadline :

23-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

2 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

20 working days within the period May - June 2015

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Montenegro’s prime touristic attractions include 300 kilometers of coastline with 60 kilometers of beaches, historical and cultural monuments, mountain ranges, virgin forests and national parks. Because of this, as well as of favorable political and economic climate, over the last decade Montenegro has seen unprecedented inflow of visitors and investment in its tourism sector. In 2011, more than 1.3 million tourists visited Montenegro, twice as much as domestic population and ten times more than just a decade ago (i.e. tourists’ count was 120,000 in 2002). Tourism’s total contribution to GDP has by now reached 17.2% and is projected to rise to 36.3% GDP by 2021. Similarly, the investment in the sector amounted for 164.6 mln € in 2011, or 23.6% of total capital investment.

As a main driver of Montenegro’s economic growth and investment, the tourism sector is responsible directly and indirectly for the large share of GHG emissions from the transport, accommodation and other tourism-related activities. According to Montenegro’s Initial National Communication (INC) to UNFCCC, submitted on 12th October 2010, in the business-as-usual scenario Montenegro’s GHG emissions will rise by around 40% in 2020 above 1990 baseline. By contributing to over third of GDP and a half of capital investment in infrastructure, the tourism sector will inevitably be an important, if not the leading, factor in a projected GHG emissions increase. Apart from the direct GHG emissions, the indirect climate change impact of millions of holiday-makers is also substantial, first, because of their sheer numbers in proportion to small local population and, second, because of their more carbon intensive life-style and consumption patterns.

In the business-as-usual scenario, the carbon footprint of Montenegro tourism will continue to grow as a result of large-scale investment in tourist infrastructure and constantly growing number of travelers. The Government of Montenegro sees tourism as the main driver of economic growth and income generation, but also fully realizes the environmental challenges associated with its rapid development and is committed to address them as part of the National Sustainable Development Strategy and Tourism Development Master Plan. The Government is firmly committed to develop its tourism sector on a sustainable basis, it is putting in place the required policy and regulatory framework to attract large-scale investment in tourism infrastructure, but also to steer them in a more environmentally sustainable way.

GEF-funded Towards Carbon Neutral Tourism (TCNT) Project will adopt a comprehensive approach to minimizing the carbon footprint of Montenegro’s main and most dynamic economic sector, the tourism. Its ultimate objective is to reduce GHG emissions from Montenegro’s tourism sector. It will do so by promoting country’s transition towards a carbon neutral travel & tourism, minimizing energy use and transport in and around new development projects, helping tourism industry to identify and implement cost-effective mitigation options in travel and accommodation sectors, as well as introducing carbon offset scheme and other innovative financial mechanisms to compensate for the residual emissions and generate additional revenues for climate mitigation and adaptation actions in tourism.

At present, there are no financial schemes or mechanisms that stimulate more climate conscious behaviour of tourists and that enable the government to build a fund through appropriate revenue generation to mitigate the environmental consequences of tourism industry, including its role in creating GHG emissions. In establishing such a new scheme, due attention needs to be placed on transparency on how the funds will be disbursed.

Voluntary carbon offset schemes should give visitors choice (for instance between NGOs and the NTCF), This will allow both domestic and international visitors to choose between different options and type of investments to be supported. Transparency in financial management and operations (including the administrative costs) is essential. Visitors need to be reassured that their contributions will be invested in projects that have a real, objectively verifiable carbon mitigation impact. Particular attention will be paid to these aspects, when developing and supporting the NTCF or any other carbon offset scheme in the frame of the GEF project.

Specific activities to be supported by the project will include the development of a methodology for GHG emission accounting and baseline setting in the tourism sector, development of a national reference baseline for GHG emissions from the tourism sector and its subsectors (transport, buildings and waste), as well as guidelines for developing and setting up MRV protocols and systems for projects submitted for funding by the GEF, foreseen National Tourism Climate Fund or voluntary carbon offset schemes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment:

To develop carbon offset schemes and propose options for integration into Montenegrin tourism related booking systems for transport and accommodation.

Job content:

Under supervision of the TCNT Project Manager and Project Coordinator in charge for financing mechanisms for support climate change mitigation and adoptationprojects in tourism sectors, the selected consultant will perform following tasks:

Task 1: An assessment of existing EU carbon offset financing policies and mechanisms.

The objective of this task is to identify and illustrate existing mechanisms for carbon financing used by the EU countries in support of investments in adaptation and mitigation within the tourism sector.

Conduct desk research/ literature review that identifies EU best practice in carbon offset policies, compare offset programmes/ standards and mechanisms (mandatory and voluntary), and lessons learnt from carbon offseting in the tourism sector.

Task 2: Identification/development of financial mechanisms to compensate CO2 emissions in the tourism sector in Montenegro.

The main objective of this task is to develop mechanisms for carbon financing in Montenegro in the tourism sector. These mechanisms are needed to support investments in adaptation and mitigation measures in order to facilitate climate resilience and carbon neutrality.The activities under this task will consist of the following:

An analysis of existing national legal and regulatory frameworks related to finance mechanisms to support climate mitigation and adaptation projects in the tourism sector; determine the role of carbon offsets in an overall national policy. (This task to be done in liaison with the Legal Expert and International Consultant for establishing of the National Tourism Climate Fund).

Design and develop modalities for the establishment of:

Alternative carbon financing options on tourism activities;
A National Tourism Climate Fund or use of voluntary/ mandatory carbon offset to support mitigation investments in tourism sector;
Carbon offset schemes (under National Tourism Climate Fund or otherwise) to facilitate conversion of tourism facilities/ services to carbon neutral status.

Task 3: Development of appropriate carbon offset schemes.

The objective of this task is to develop carbon offset schemes into Montenegrin tourism related booking systems for transport and accommodation. The activities under this task will consist of the following:

Identification and evaluation of appropriate costs/ benefits of implementing feasible carbon offset schemes in the tourism sector;
Propose specific steps for integration into Montenegrin tourism related booking systems for transport and accommodation.

The International Consultant will liaise directly with Legal Consultant and International Consultant for establishing the National Tourism Climate Fund.

The expected results:

The consultant is expected to deliver the following results:

Draft Final Report of the assignment, which will be subjected to review and comment by the project team and national authorities;
Final Report, subject to approval by the project team.

Timing and reporting:

The consultant is expected to work in the period May 2015-June 2015.

Time duration and travel:

The consultant will be engaged under the Individual Contract for 20 consultancy days (app. 15 days’ home based and 5 days of field visit). Travel costs should be included in the lump sum figure.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master degree in the areas relevant to the assignment (e.g. economic, environmental and social sciences);
PhD degree would be considered as an asset;

Experience:

Minimum 10 years of professional experience in the fields relevant for the assignment-development of climate change policies, financial mechanisms and actions;
Participation in similar assignments/projects will be considered as strong asset;
Knowledge of the region would be considered as asset.

Language:

Fluency in English, with excellent writing skills.

Application process:

Interested candidates are requested to submit their applications by April 23rd, 2015 by using the Apply now button;
All applicants are requested to upload a duly completed and signed Personal History Form (P11), which serves as the equivalent of the CV. P11 form can be downloaded from http://www.me.undp.org/content/montenegro/en/home/operations/jobs.html;
Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document;
The short-listed candidates only will be invited for an interview.

UNDP is an equal opportunity employer.