Background
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) and the Kurdistan Region 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 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 implementing its NDC and NAMA, UNDP FFER-Federal is seeking an international expert with a desired scope of work and qualifications as outlined below.
Duties and Responsibilities
. SCOPE OF WORK
The overall objective of this assignment is to support the Ministry of Environment on economic analysis for the development of different national frameworks and strategies; i.e. the Green Paper for Iraq 2022-27 and the NAMA. These frameworks and strategies will lay out pathways for sustainable development, enhancing resilience, strengthening Iraq’s capacity to contain shocks and recover from catastrophic events. It also helps to ensure that natural resources can deliver their full economic potential on a sustainable basis in Iraq. The inputs to these strategies shall be based on a thorough assessment of comparative scenarios for future growth and estimates of economic, environmental and social impacts.
The assignment will involve support to the Ministry of Environment in establishing the national capacity in transitioning to green economy era.
For the duration of this post, the expert will be working under the overall guidance and supervision of the special advisor to the Minister of Environment, as well as in coordination with the KRG focal points, and the Portfolio Manager of the UNDP EECC pillar and the Project Manager of the FFER-Federal Project. The senior economist will work with Environment and Climate Change Team Lead to integrate economic analysis in the Green Paper, the NAMA and the National Environmental Strategy.
Key duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Tracking of economic data in Iraq to understand the macro-economic context, and provide analysis of economic and development issues and produce relevant reports aimed at promoting equitable economic growth and human development
- Analysis of the Iraq’s macro-economic policies and their impact to key sectors defined under the green growth strategy, as described in the Green Paper, the NAMA and the National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan
- Analyse the challenges and opportunities for transition to green economy and implementation of NAMA in Iraq
- Analyse economic trends in Iraq including the Kurdistan region and relevance to green growth
- Provision of economic inputs to Green Paper, the NAMA, and the National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan and programmes and projects for aligning with national policies and priorities.
- Map relevant stakeholders, define stakeholders roles and engagement models on green growth, and develop an engagement plan for involvement of concerned agencies and stakeholders in the development of Green Paper, the NAMA, and the National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan.
- Collaborate with the international Green Economy Expert to define strategic vision for green growth in Iraq and the Kurdistan region
- Collaborate with the International NAMA Expert to integrate economic analysis regarding the requirements for NAMA
- Collaborate with the International Environmental Strategy Expert to integrate economic analysis regarding the requirements of the National Environmental Strategy
- Identify the best pathways toward real economic, social, and environmental benefits of green growth.
- Define fiscal implication/requirements for implementation of the Green Paper and the NAMA, and the Environmental Strategy
- Contribute to setting up targets and Results Framework for Green Paper, NAMA and environmental strategy in Iraq
- Contribute to the roadmap for implementing the Green Paper, NAMA and environmental strategy in priority sectors.
- Ongoing consultations and engagement with stakeholders.
Competencies
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
Required Skills and Experience
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 economics, Environmental economics, Energy, Climate Change, Economics, or related field.
B. Experience Required:
- At least 10 years of relevant working experience in economics, green growth, green economy, energy and climate change-reform work, with past actual experience of working in NAMA strategic planning and/ or green growth.
- Expertise in conducting situation analyses and needs assessments related to macro-economy, green growth, energy and climate change reform in developing countries.
- Experience in facilitating dialogue among multi-disciplinary stakeholders at a high political level to formulate, validate and adopt reform priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate consultative meetings and to make presentations of technical findings to a wide audience.
- Experience of work in resource rich economies or conflict-affected countries would be an advantage.
- Experience with and knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures.
- Experience with UN or international organization working in Iraq would be an advantage.
- Fluency in written and oral English required.
- Fluency in Arabic an advantage.
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