UNDP Jobs - 13224- International Consultant: Review of Existing GHG I

International Consultant: Review of Existing GHG Inventory of the Republic of Belarus and Development of Recommendations for its Improvement

Location :

Home-based, BELARUS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

16-Nov-2009

Application Deadline :

12-Nov-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

November 16 – December 10, 2009 (output-based)

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Since 2005, when the Republic of Belarus became a full-fledged Party to the Kyoto Protocol, the UNDP plays an important role in addressing capacity-building and enabling environments to assist the country in implementation its commitments under UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol. UNDP supported several country’s national submissions with due regard of UNFCCC reporting requirements, e.g. the Fourth National Communication, reports on the Bali Action Plan, etc.

According to Resolution No 485 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus on the “Approval of the Regulations for the Procedure of Maintaining the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory” dated 10/04/2006 and an Order No 417 of the MoE dated 29/12/2005, the “Bel SRC Ecology” operates as a designated National Centre for Conducting GHG Inventories and Maintaining National GHG Cadastre.

Bel SRC “Ecology” is responsible also for the preparation of annual National Reports and National Communications of the Republic of Belarus to be submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat. To comply with these responsibilities Bel SRC “Ecology” prepares annual GHG Inventory. During the review of National GHG Inventory in October 2008 the group of international experts made comments and recommendations for improvement of existing National inventory system. Following these recommendations Bel SRC “Ecology” is in process of enhancement of National GHG Inventory System including collection and processing of incoming information as well as estimation of GHG emissions.

Moreover, one of the immediate goals is to increase the level of assessments from Tier 1 to Tier 2. According to Marrakech Accords, the sustainable operation, constant improvement and maintenance of a reliable national GHG inventory system is one of the known eligibility requirements to access to the Kyoto flexible mechanisms. In view of expected ratification of the Belarusian amendment to Annex B and large pipeline of potential GHG emission abatement projects in the country it is very important for Belarus to be fully prepared to carbon transactions.

It is also important to note that the reliable data and trends of GHG emissions constitute sufficient background information, which is to provide accurate prognoses of future GHG emissions. This issue is of utmost importance for Belarus in order to prepare and support the country’s position in the future climate change agreement and provide a rationale for post-2012 emission reduction targets.

Objective

The objective of the assignment will be to prepare a Briefing Paper on analysis of existing GHG inventory system of the Republic of Belarus along with recommendations for its improvement in particular for ‘Land-use, land-use change and Forestry’ sector (LULUCF).

Duties and Responsibilities

Review the state-of-the-art procedure and methodologies used by the Republic of Belarus for estimation of GHG emissions and removals, provide recommendations and suggest activities for further improvement of quality of initial data, addressing gaps and shortcomings in existing data collection/treatment system and improving QA/QC with a special focus on LULUCF sector, in particular:

Analysis of existing GHG inventory system of the Republic of Belarus in LULUCF sector as well as identification of potential problems in GHG emissions/removals estimates in this sector.
Training of national experts on methodologies for estimations of GHG emissions/removals associated with land-use changes.
Assisting in a consistent representation of land areas under the categories of land use changes proposed by the IPCC and national categories of land use.
Analysis of the ERT recommendations 2008 and suggestions on implementation of these recommendations.
Information support for the further development of national methodologies for assessment of GHG emissions/removals in the LULUCF sector.

Prepare a Briefing Paper (15-20 pages) with findings and recommendations and submit the report to UNDP Bratislava Regional Center and UNDP CO in Belarus.

Timeline and implementation arrangements:

The total duration of assignment is 14 working days during the period Nov 16 – Dec 10, 2009. The deadline for the review report submission is Dec 10, 2009. The consultant will be paid a lump-sum fee upon delivery of the final Briefing Paper and acceptance of the Briefing Paper by UNDP CO in Belarus and UNDP Bratislava Regional Center. Lump-sum will be calculated based on UNDP’s salary scale. UNDP reserves its right to negotiate the final amount of consultant’s remuneration, based on the consultant’s performance.

The assignment will be home-based and will involve Internet research and telephone and e-mail communications with government officials, companies, academia, local experts and consultants as necessary. Throughout the assignment the consultant will work in close collaboration with the Bel SRC “Ecology”, UNDP CO in Minsk and the UNDP Regional Center for Europe and CIS. S/he will report on his work to UNDP Programme Analyst, UNDP CO Minsk, Belarus.

Competencies

Knowledge of UNFCCC principals, Kyoto mechanisms, IPCC GHG emission assessment guidance;
Preparation of GHG Inventory at National level and/or participation in an UNFCCC expert review team will be an asset;
Good writing and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced degree in environmental policy, forestry or agriculture;
At least 2 years of practical experience with the forestry or agriculture National development policy issues in the CIS countries will be an asset;
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English, knowledge of Russian will be an asset.

Applicants are requested to apply on-line.

Information about the condition of the SSA contract: http://un.by/vacancy/undp/conditions/

Applicants have to:

Complete the form stating their interest in and qualifications for the position (in English);
Upload completed Personal History Form (PHF) in the required resume field. The PHF form can be downloaded from: http://un.by/vacancy/undp/form/ ;

Deadline for submission of applications: November 12, 2009

Responsible applicants will be shortlisted, and at least three applicants will gain a personal, or telephone hearing.

Women are encouraged to apply. UNDP is non-smoking work environment.