Background

The Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change sets out a global action plan to keep a global temperature rise to well below 2ºC above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5ºC. The transition to a low carbon, resource-efficient economy demands a fundamental shift in technology, energy, economics, finance, and our behaviour as a global society.

The Glasgow Climate Pact recognized that limiting global warming to 1.5ºC requires rapid, deep and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions, including reducing global carbon dioxide emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 relative to the 2010 level and to net zero around mid-century as well as deep reductions in other greenhouse gases.

In contribution to the Glasgow Pact, Uganda has updated her first Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) whose implementation will reduce emissions by 24.7% below the Business-As-Usual level in 2030in key sectors including Agriculture Forestry and Land Use (AFOLU), transport, energy, waste and Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) sectors.

Implementation of the updated NDC will be by government (unconditional contribution) and international support (conditional contribution) including the private sector.

Given the limited public finance available and complex process of accessing international climate finance, Uganda is exploring the use of market/price-based mechanisms to achieve its NDC whilst leveraging on private sector investment.

The private sector is well positioned to mobilize financial resources and technical capabilities, leverage the efforts of governments, engage civil society and community efforts, develop, and adopt low carbon operations, technologies, services, expand and access new markets, benefit from cost savings, protect supply chains and build reputational benefits.

The Paris Agreement provides an enabling environment for countries to voluntarily cooperate in achieving their NDCs through internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs) under Article 6.2.

The use of market mechanisms is anchored in the National Climate Change Act 2021. Particularly, Section 9 of the National Climate Change Act provides for participation in climate change mechanisms which include compliance emissions trading mechanisms, voluntary emissions trading mechanisms, non-market approaches and cooperative approaches under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and any other mechanisms as may be prescribed. The Act makes a requirement for the Minister to make regulations prescribing the procedure for approval of participation in the climate change mechanisms, among others.

In reference to the above, the Ministry of Water and Environment has requested UNDP to support the development of compliance and regulatory framework for section 9 of the National Climate Change Act (2021). 

UNDP intends to employ the services of a National Individual Consultant to support the development of carbon market mechanism framework, guidelines, and related services for Uganda.

Application Process

Applicants are requested to apply online at http://jobs.undp.org by 20th September 2022. The application document can be accessed on https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=95605. Candidates are invited to submit applications together with their CV for these positions. UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will consider the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply. Interested applicants should send an email to:  ug.procurement@undp.org for any inquiries.

PLEASE NOTE THAT – UNDP DOES NOT CHARGE ANY FEES AT ANY STAGE OF ITS PROCUREMENT PROCESSES. UNDP HAS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FRAUD AND CORRUPTION, MEANING THAT UNDP STAFF MEMBERS, NON-STAFF PERSONNEL, VENDORS, IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS AND RESPONSIBLE PARTIES ARE NOT TO ENGAGE IN FRAUD OR CORRUPTION

Duties and Responsibilities

In consultation with UNDP and the national task force on climate change mechanisms, the consultant is expected to:

A: ARTICLE 6 FRAMEWORK (Regulations) AND GUIDANCE MANUAL (Guidelines)

  1. Support the Team leader (International Consultant) to undertake comprehensive review/assessment of the existing policy, legal and institutional framework to guide requirements and processes necessary the operation of Article 6 including the necessary requirements and processes, except for Article 6.4 which is under the UNFCCC. The review will also cover aspects of comparative analysis of the state of existing carbon markets and carbon pricing initiatives including existing Certified Emission Reductions (CERs), contribution to the implementation of updated NDC and long-term low-emission development strategy, policy, institutional and legal implications of an Article 6 framework (carbon markets), as well as carbon pricing, and other market and non-market mechanisms. Additionally, give a perspective on functioning carbon markets in the current and mid-term period.
  2. Support the team leader to develop a draft of the Uganda’s Article 6 framework (regulations) and manual (guidelines). The development of the Article 6 framework (regulations applying to all Article 6 arrangements except Article 6.4), will deal with participation in cooperative approaches, the authorization, transfer and use of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs), avoid double counting of mitigation outcomes in accordance with relevant decisions of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA), define the scope of other international mitigation purposes, measures to consider for application of safeguards and limits to the transfer and use ITMOs, reporting requirements, registry (international or domestic) and Article 6 database, environmental integrity provisions, among others.
  3. Support the team leader to develop the related operational manual which will lay out procedures including participation, generation, use and transfer of ITMOs, avoidance of double counting, to reporting and monitoring.  the process for the approval and authorization of mitigation outcomes, process for issuance of MOs, non-compliance and penalties, application of corresponding adjustment, guiding principles for participation in article 6 transactions. It will cover institutional arrangements, mitigation activity development cycle, approval procedure, service fee and charges, criteria for participation, standards and complain redress process, share of proceeds, sustainability framework, governance. It will also cover the Carbon registry, which will be informed by the result of the comprehensive assessment undertaken in (I) above. 
  4. Undertake capacity gaps and needs assessment for the task force on climate change mechanisms so as to prepare for Article readiness in Uganda building on existing initiatives for example the Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance so as
  5. Develop targeted capacity building tools including a training manual on climate change mechanisms and building on work of the Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance in Uganda and based on the results of the gaps and needs assessment.
  6. Work with the Team leader to undertake a series of capacity building and training workshops (for the task force on climate change mechanisms) and for selected stakeholders from government, private sector, CSOs and potential project developers.
  7. Additionally, the consultant will be expected to work with the Team Leader to prepare knowledge products including technical briefs and presentations for outreach purposes.

Competencies

Functional

  • Results-orientation: Plans and produces quality results to meet objectives of the assignment, generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.
  • Communication: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different audiences.
  • Teamwork: Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations with stakeholders in the climate change space.
  • Professionalism:  Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

Corporate competencies

  • Demonstrate integrity by modelling the UN mission, vision, values, and ethical standards
  • Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Promote UNDP’s agenda in meetings

Other Competencies

  • Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict readiness and plan the work according to priorities
  • Demonstrate capacity to plan, organize, and execute effectively,
  • Take initiative, have good analytical skills, mature judgement, and ability to work under tight schedule while respecting deadline, ethics and honesty
  • Ability to establish effective working relations in a diverse environment
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
  • Builds strong relationships with internal and external clients
  • Demonstrated ability to function in a team environment and to deal with a complex multi-stakeholder environment
  • Good ability to use information and communication technologies as tools and resources
  • Excellent written communication and presentation/public speaking skills focuses on results, ability to interact productively in a teamwork environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Experience and Academic Qualification: 

  • At least Master’s degree in natural/engineering/sciences (energy or environmental management or natural resource management), geography, law, economics and social sciences.
  • At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in carbon trading and knowledge of the Nationally Determined Contributions and national development plans including Domestics Revenue Mobilization Strategy. 
  • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Uganda’s CDM experience and, UNFCCC Guidance on cooperative approaches referred to in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
  • Demonstrated experience with the development of CDM projects in Uganda.
  • Experience in undertaking Capacity building on Carbon markets in developing countries
  • Proven knowledge of development of CDM operational manuals and tools
  • Proven ability to build Article 6 capacity in developing countries through training or workshops (including virtual workshops) 
  • Proven knowledge of Article 6 mechanisms in particular Article 6.2 (at least 1 knowledge products/webinar/blog or similar)
  • Fluency in written and spoken English.