1. FACILITY FOR ECONOMIC REFORM (FFER)

Facility for Economic Reform (FFER) is a programme of support financed by the USAID and implemented by the UNDP to support the Government of Iraq (Federal) in carrying out their economic reform agenda. Given the high importance of Climate Change, Environment and Energy issues to the reforms, based upon request of the GoI, the USAID and UNDP have agreed to provide advisory support on a number of aspects of the climate change adaptation and mitigation, especially with regards to formulation of policies and strategies.

2. ASSIGNMENT CONTEXT

Iraq is recognized as one of the most affected countries by the harmful effects of climate change. The average temperature is expected to rise by two Celsius degrees and the rainfall is expected to fall by 9% by 2050 due to climate change. Iraq ratified the UNFCCC in the end of 2009 to start its paradigm shift plan to develop non-fossil fuel – dependent industries and develop renewable energy plans and strategies as well as design its national adaptation plan to tackle climate change.

Iraq Vision 2030 is in alignment with the environmental goal to create a clean, safe and sustainable environment for the current and future generations.  Iraq ratified the Paris Agreement on January 14, 2021. President Saleh said at the United Nations Climate Ambition Summit; “This move marks the Iraqi government’s intention to shift from relying heavily on oil to more renewable energy sources.”

Iraq prepared its National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan in 2013-2017. Therefore, at present Iraq has no updated strategy. Significant changes have taken place in the social and environmental conditions in Iraq, as well as in Iraq’s commitment to global environmental and climate change protocols. Iraq has also prepared a National Bio-diversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in 2015 for a five year duration.

Iraq has approved its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which define Iraq’s strategic objectives and commitments towards climate change adaptation and mitigation. Iraq plans for transition towards green economy. More than ever before, it recognizes that a healthy and sustainable economy is that the diversified and green one, this includes renewable energy and environmentally-sound technologies and enhance the resilience of communities most vulnerable to climate change.

According to the NDC, Iraq aims to achieve reduction between 1% and 2% of its total emissions between 2021 to 2030 through the national effort and 15% subject to the international financial and technical support. Iraq aims to develop its National Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) with priority to the electricity sector by investing in renewable energies of up to 12 GW based on the Cabinet's economic decisions for 2021.

To support the GoI with the development of National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan, the UNDP is seeking an national expert to work with an international expert according to the scope of work and qualifications as outlined below.

. SCOPE OF WORK

The overall objective of this assignment is to support the Ministry of Environment to revise its National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan for Iraq to lay out pathways for sustainable development, enhance resilience and strengthen Iraq’s capacity to contain shocks and recover from catastrophic events. It will also help to ensure that natural resources can deliver their full potential on a sustainable basis in Iraq. The Strategy will be based on a thorough assessment of the social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable natural resource management, climate change and future growth.

The consultancy will involve support to the Ministry of Environment in establishing the national strategy and preparing an action plan for its implementation based upon consultations and participation of stakeholders.  

The International Environmental Strategy Expert will work under the overall guidance of the Special Advisor to the Minister of Environment and will closely coordinate with the Portfolio Manager of the UNDP Environment, Energy, Climate Change (EECC) pillar and the Project Manager of the FFER-Federal as required. The international expert will be supported with a team of a national expert and a gender specialist. An economist will provide analysis on economic aspects of the sustainable environmental management.

Key duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

1. Review the National Environmental Management Strategy and Action Plan of Iraq and other related policies, legislations and reports such as Iraq’s NDC, national communication reports, Biennial update reports, National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), National Adaptation Plan (NAP), etc.
2. Support coordination and consultations with the Government stakeholders, identify key elements to be covered in the National Environment Strategy and Action Plan and prepare an outline of the proposed Strategy.
3. Support the international expert to prepare an engagement plan with concerned agencies and stakeholders to be involve in the formulation of strategy and action plan
4. Support the conduct of a research for situation analysis to understand the baseline for environmental management in Iraq.
5. Support the international expert to access relevant policies, laws, and other instruments related to climate change, environment, bio-diversity, ecosystems and protected areas propose linkages with the environment strategy (including gaps, challenges, opportunities and recommendations for further policy, legislative and institutional reform) and help in translation of these documents into English, if required by the international consultant
6. Support the conduct of stakeholder consultations to identify their concerns, priorities and recommendations with regards to sustainable environmental management
7. Participate in discussions with the international expert to define strategic vision, objectives and targets of sustainable environmental management in Iraq
8. Contribute to description of results for different components of the Strategy (this may include preparing sectoral and subnational targets and results)
9. Contribute to defining sectoral and sub-national approaches for achievement of results
10. Contribute to preparation of a roadmap/plan for implementation of the strategy in priority sectors.
11. Support the calculation of cost estimate for different priority interventions/projects to be implemented in different sectors  
12. Support the mapping of relevant stakeholders for these sectors, define stakeholder roles and engagement models
13. Contribute to the preparation of a monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework
14. Support the international expert in receiving feedback on the draft strategy from stakeholders
15. Support the international expert in finalizing the National Environmental Strategy

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Maturity combined with tact and diplomacy;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Knowledge and skills requirement:

• Shows ability to communicate and to exercise advocacy skills in front of a diverse set of audience
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Ability to work independently with strong sense of initiative, discipline and self-motivation.
• Knowledge of Iraq’a social, political and economic situation 
• Knowledge of UNDP and its mandate in the area of democratic governance and programme development
• Excellent analytical/conceptual thinking
• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills

The consultant will require the following qualifications, experience, competencies and language skills. Only applicants who meet these criteria will be short-listed and will be contacted.

A. Education and Professional Qualifications Required:

• A Master’s Degree or equivalent in Environment, Climate Change, Natural resource management, biodiversity, or related field.

B. Experience Required:

• At least 7 years of relevant working experience in environment, green growth, green economy, and climate change-reform
• At least 3 years of experience in environmental management programmes and projects
• At least 3 years of experience in conducting situation analyses and needs assessments related to environment and climate change
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating dialogue among national stakeholders preferably on environmental management
• Experience with and knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures desirable
• Experience with UN or international organization working would be an advantage
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical reports in English
• Fluency in Arabic language and ability to conduct meetings in Arabic is an asset

Experience in the usage of office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) is required

The detailed terms of reference and the Letter of Confirming Interest and Availability form are available in the following link with mentioned Job Title above : https://procurement-notices.undp.org/

Please note you can upload only one document in the online application, therefore combine the CV, and the Letter of Confirmation and Availability as one pdf and upload it accordingly. moreover, please note that failure to submit required mandatory documents by UNDP will lead to rejection of your offer