Decarbonization Expert at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves. It provides expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries. It promotes technical and investment cooperation among nations.

Headquartered in New York City, the status of UNDP is that of an executive board within the United Nations General Assembly. The UNDP is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states. The organization operates in 177 countries, where it works with local governments to meet development challenges and develop local capacity.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Decarbonization Expert for Climate Change Mitigation Activities in Nigeria

Location: Abuja
Post Level: International Consultant
Additional Category: Climate & Disaster Resilience
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Starting Date: 08-Oct-2021 - (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)    
Duration of Initial Contract: 60 working days spread over 1 year
Expected Duration of Assignment: 60 working days spread over 1 year

Background

• Climate change is an adverse environmental phenomenon that is causing enormous concern all over the world. It refers to some anomalies in the climate system that is a result of human activities. These anomalies include increase in the concentration of GHGs, HFCs and the already phased out CFCs in earth's atmosphere, which will ultimately led to global warming.
• Behind all of the change is one clear driver: atmospheric carbon dioxide. In 2009, atmospheric CO2 concentrations hovered around 390 parts per million. By 2014, the number blew past 400 parts per million. Today, we hover around 410 ppm.
• Nigeria is one of the world's most densely populated countries with a population of 180 million people, half of which are considered to be in abject poverty. Nigeria is recognized as being vulnerable to climate change.
• Climate change and global warming if left unchecked will cause adverse effects on livelihoods in the country especially in the agricultural sector where activities such as crop production, livestock production, fisheries, forestry and post-harvest activities, because the rainfall regimes and patterns will be altered, floods which devastate farmlands would occur, increase in temperature and humidity which increases pest and disease would occur and other natural disasters like floods, ocean and storm surges, which not only damage Nigerians' livelihood but also cause harm to life and property, would occur.
• Responding to climate change from both mitigation and adaptation angles require strategic approaches from policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks and capacities. In general, the effectiveness of environmental and other policies in Nigeria, as well as their potentials to support adaptation and mitigation measures is yet to be fully realized.
• The country’s annual greenhouse gas emissions were 506 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2015, according to data compiled by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Change research (PIK). The figure includes emissions from land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF). This is roughly the same as the UK’s total 2015 emissions. Its per capita emissions in 2015 were around 2.8 tonnes of CO2e, far below the global average of 7 tonnes but around equal to the 2015 per-capita emissions of India (2.7 tonnes).
• The country is signed up to the Paris Agreement the international deal aimed at tackling climate change. It ratified the agreement in 2017. Through this, it has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030, when compared to “business-as-usual” levels. This pledge rises to 45% on the condition of international support. It has also recently submitted a revised NDC with additional sectors, enhancement and new target of 47% under the conditional target with plans towards a net zero carbon emission economic growth trajectory contained the National Decarbonization Programme (NDP) of the country. .

Objectives of the Assignment

• The overall aim of the assignment is to formulate two National Decarbonization Program (NDP) projects proposals on:
  • Urban clean energy scheme - highlighting the MDAs that have been taken off the grid, and the potential to extend the program to other public institutions and
  • Clean energy transport focusing on policy analysis and design, communications and outreach, stakeholder mapping and engagement, economic feasibility analyses.
• He / She will also define a low-carbon roadmap for the transport and energy sector in Nigeria through the modelling of the country’s highest emission sectors vis a vis energy and transport systems and its evolution scenarios until 2050. Up to three scenarios could be considered each reflecting an increased level of ambition in terms of the two sector’s GHG emissions.
• It is anticipated that one scenario will capture the current and planned policies in the country and model the possible evolution of the sector under a “business as usual” (“BAU”) type of technological development and penetration of low carbon generation sources (new build renewables or high-efficiency thermal plants to displace older/less efficient existing assets).
• The other scenarios will progressively try to explore the possible evolution of the sector under more aggressive growth of renewables, high-efficiency thermal plants, improved grid flexibility and storage.
• One scenario should aim at reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 (with estimation of the major bottlenecks for its viability). Each scenario will outline the optimal power generation-mix in order to achieve a sustainable energy system by 2050.
• The assignment will include the evaluation of the regulatory, economic, and financial conditions associated with each of the scenarios, as well as any incremental policy recommendations considered crucial for ensuring the viability of the scenario.
• The assignment, by critically analysing the above different scenarios, will result in the development of a set of policy and technology recommendations to help understand the possible contribution of the sector towards the country’s NDC targets, help to identify the possible contribution of the sector for new targets post-2030 and provide clear indications about the priorities of investment and sustainable development for the sector towards a substantial decarbonisation in the mid to long- term future.

Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of Work:

• This assignment will support the implementation of the new intervention in Climate Change Mitigation Programmes through technical support to and liaison with the national implementing partners to design relevant documentations, such as, concept notes, terms of references, etc., that will facilitate timely implementation and contribute towards the ‘decarbonization’ of the identified sectors in Nigeria.
• Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative, the incumbent will work with the Nature, Climate Change and Energy unit colleagues for the overall management of the intervention and will be expected to deliver some specific deliverables in addition to the ones outlined in the objectives above.
• Develop a road map for the low-carbon and climate-resilient development with respect to the two sectors of interest.
• Establish partnerships with the government, development partners, and the non-government and private sectors to ensure ownership of the strategy.
• Identify tools and approaches to integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in the planning and investment process, underpinned by institutional capacity development.
• Develop recommendations on how to mainstream climate change mitigation into the sectoral strategies for each sector, with presentation of expected socio-economic benefits and trade-offs – to be presented to government partners and other multi-lateral development partners.
• Provide emissions scenarios until 2050 using a notable model or any other acceptable models suited to the sectors under consideration, to be presented to the government partners and policy makers.
• Climate resilience development
• Strengthen disaster risk preparedness and emergency response capacities,
• Promote climate proofing of energy and transport infrastructure.
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses of adaptation and disaster risk preparedness options, based on economic assessments of business-as-usual, climate change adaptation, or alternative strategies.
• Low-carbon development
• Identify entry points within regional and national planning and formulate a process to incorporate energy efficiency and renewable energy interventions; and design and implement demonstration projects on low-carbon technologies for the energy and transport sectors in support of nationally appropriate mitigation actions.

Specific Deliverables:

• Road Map for the low-carbon and climate-resilient development for the country-office
• Facilitate timely implementation and contribute towards the ‘decarbonization’ of the identified sectors
• Provide emissions scenarios until 2050 using a notable model or any other acceptable models suited to the sectors under consideration for decision support to policy makers
• Assist in strengthening the linkages between disaster preparedness and response with climate resilient development with the DRR institution in the country.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• The desired candidate for this assignment shall possess an Advanced Degree (PhD would be an advantage) in Geography, Climate Modelling, Environmental Engineering or other relevant fields.
• The candidate must have sound technical report writing skill and proven ability to engage with multiple stakeholders to achieve desired results. 
• He/she must be fluent in written and spoken English.  Previous working experience with UN agencies is an asset.

Experience:

• At least ten years of professional work experience providing programme support and policy advice on major climate policy and carbon issues at different levels;
• Experience in climate change sectors’ policy assessment, design, monitoring and evaluation for all the concerned sectors.
• Experience in the assessment of the abatement potential in the concerned sectors,;
• Research experience in all the relevant sectors, including the ability to collect data, analyze data series, use the projection models, Greenhouse Gases modelling;
• Experience in designing sectoral strategies/policy documents, programmes and/or projects in the concerned sectors (energy and transport)
• Experience in cooperation with public administration, state governance bodies, research institutions and other stakeholders;
• Experience in organizing and conducting workshops and webinars, interactive online work in groups
• A perfect understanding of the low carbon transition and climate policy implementation as well as the institutional context in developing countries
• A perfect understanding of UNFCCC international climate negotiations and communication framework and process.
• Experience in working with national governments of developing countries in the field of climate change, and particularly on NDC development, implementation and planning is required.
• Solid understanding of capacity building needs at country level in areas related to climate policy and NDC in particulars.
• Experience and skills in facilitating the development of multi-stakeholders processes.
• Knowledge of GHG inventories and setting up MRV systems is desirable.

Competencies
Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills

Functional Competencies: Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
• Has good knowledge of UNDP programme and operational issues
• Has knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programme in crisis and post-crisis situations.

Management and Leadership:

• Focuses on impact and results for the clients and responds positively to feedback
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
• Builds strong relationships with internal and external clients and partners
• Demonstrates capacity to communicate effectively; resource management; capacity to plan and organize programmes effectively
• Demonstrates resourcefulness, initiative and mature judgment.

Application Closing Date
23rd September 2021 (Midnight New York, USA).

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• 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.