Job Opening – Consultant for Fiscal Policy

The Economics and Trade Policy Unit at UNEP is hiring a consultant for fiscal policy. The application deadline is 28 August. You can read about and apply for the position via this link.

Result of Service

The work of the consultant will contribute to supporting countries in delivering the SDGs and the commitment under the Paris Climate Agreement and managing the Green Fiscal Policy Network as part of the GIZ project delivery.

The development of training programme and reporting mechanism on measuring fossil fuel subsidies will contribute to UN Environment’s mandate on delivering SDG12 as a custodian agency.

Work Location

• Remote

Expected duration

• The consultancy for the period of 1 September 2021 to 1 March 2022. The consultant will work full-time (100%).

Duties and Responsibilities

UN Environment is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system. UN Environment acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use of the global environment and sustainable development. The Economy Division at UN Environment plays a leading role in the Green Economy Initiative which aims to shift national economies on to a sustainable path, in which jobs and output growth are driven by increased investment in green sectors, and by a switch of consumers’ preferences towards environmentally friendly goods and services.

Located within the Economy Division, the Resources and Markets Branch examines how economics, trade, and finance interact with the environment and contribute to sustainable development at the local, national, regional and global levels. The Resources and Markets Branch support countries through analytical studies in partnerships with UN agencies, intergovernmental institutions, governments, academic institutes, businesses and environmental groups to support the shift to an inclusive green economy and help deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Among its areas of work, the Economic and Trade Policy Unit supports global efforts on green fiscal policy reforms and advises countries on how fiscal policies can support the inclusive green economy and delivery of the SDGs across different sectors from water, energy and extractives, to agriculture and fisheries among others. It works with a range of partners including fiscal authorities such as the International Monetary Fund, development agencies such as the German Development Agency, the Organisation for Cooperation on Economic Development (OECD), academic institutions, think tanks, and national research institutes, to provide policy advice, develop knowledge products and host technical workshops on the role of fiscal policy in the transition to a green economy. The Green Fiscal Policy Network is a joint partnership between UNEP, Germany Development Agency (GIZ) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which aims to facilitate knowledge sharing, learning and dialogue on green fiscal policies.

To create further knowledge products, contribute to international discussions, initiate consultations with relevant institutions and respond to requests for guidance from governments in the area of green fiscal policy, UN Environment requires support from a consultant with expertise in this area.

The UN Environment, Economy Division, Resources & Markets Branch currently does not have the relevant expertise in house, to carry out the requires tasks.

Specific tasks and responsibilities:

The consultant’s responsibilities will include supporting the development of a global project on environmentally harmful subsidies (fossil fuel subsidies and agricultural subsidies); delivery of country support on implementing NDCs through fiscal policy reforms; and the management of the Green Fiscal Policy Network, a web-based knowledge sharing platform and its partnership, as part of the GIZ project. With the help of a Communication Officer and other knowledge platform managers, the consultant will develop a knowledge management strategy which could cross-fertilize relevant knowledge platforms.

The main duties and responsibilities of the consultant, include, but are not restricted to, the following

1. Green Fiscal policy Reform Network
   • Manage and expand the activities and partnerships of the network for a higher visibility and recognition at the global stage. This entails developing a network strategy in the medium/long term and implementing agreed action points among the partners by closely engaging with them and communicate with them regularly to update them about the development of the network,
   • Provide guidance to a web manager for the upgraded and updated web platform on green fiscal policy;
   • Issue three blogs on fiscal policy and green economy. This includes identify contributors, solicit and edit the blog;
   • With the help of communication team, produce communication materials to promote the network. This includes synthesizing knowledge products (analytical papers)
   • Report the assessment of the platform development to the partners and the donors;
2. Global project on environmentally harmful subsidies
   • Advocacy activity on reforming agricultural support as part of GIZ project delivery. This entails developing communication materials, engaging with global partners in this area for possible collaboration on joint advocacy and promoting the agenda at relevant global forums;
   • Project development on reforming fishery subsidies in collaboration with the ecosystem division. This entails undertaking background research to develop a concept note, identifying key actors and partners for collaboration to promote the agenda at the relevant global forums.
3. Support monitoring and reporting under SDG12c1
   • Organize regional and sub-regional training workshops on measuring fossil fuel subsidies in order to support countries to monitor and report under SDG12c1. This entails engaging with technical partners for their inputs and contributions, UNEP regional offices and UN regional bodies to and facilitate the delivery of the training programmes;
   • Deliver a development of a technical guidance note on measuring fossil fuel subsidies based on the methodology. This entails engaging with technical experts to solicit technical inputs to produce quality report.
   • Report on SDG12c1 in coordination with SDG12 hub focal point under the One Planet Network to UNEP SDG focal point; This entails reviewing data submitted under SDG12 hub and cross-checking them with relevant national SDG focal point when needed for quality control.
4. Other tasks as requested by the programme officer in charge

Qualifications/special skills

Skills: Communication

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively
• Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately
• Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

Academic Qualifications

• Master’s or higher degree in economics, public policy, environment policy or a related field.

Experience

• At least three years of accumulated work experience in public policy with a focus on macro economic policy (including fiscal policy). Knowledge on environmentally harmful subsidies (i.e. fossil fuel subsidies and agricultural subsidies) is an advantage;
• Professional experience in producing economic/fiscal policy analysis both at global, national and sectoral levels and providing policy advice to national governments;
• Experience of working with governments and the UN system on the theme of Green Economy and sustainable development is an advantage.

Language

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.