Senior Economic Advisor (Armenia) Technical Specialist Environmental (Retainer Homebased)

WEC Background: 

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support. 

WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements,  such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

The NDC Partnership: 

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition of countries and institutions collaborating to drive transformational climate action through sustainable development. In 2015, the world endorsed the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Nations signal their commitments to the Paris Agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) - each country’s strategy to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience against the negative effects of a changing climate. The Partnership advances the goals of the Paris Agreement by bringing together nearly 200 countries and institutions in new ways to accelerate NDC implementation and enhance ambition over time. The Partnership’s work through 120 partners supporting almost 80 countries produces many examples of impact, lessons learned and ideas for the future. The Partnership is governed by a Steering Committee, co-chaired by two country representatives. The Partnership’s work is facilitated by a Support Unit based at World Resources Institute in Washington DC and the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. UNOPS supports the NDC Partnership and its Support Unit through the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC).

Country Context and Background:

Armenia submitted its updated NDC in 2021. The country commits to a 2030 mitigation target of a 40% reduction below 1990 GHG emissions level. The updated NDC maintains the country’s 2050 mitigation goal of reducing emissions to at most 2.07 tCO2eq per capita which will be reflected in its Long Term – Low Emission Development Strategy. The updated NDC covers energy, industrial processes and product use, agriculture, waste, forestry and other land use sectors.  To enhance know-how on its path to develop and implement Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), Armenia joined the NDC Partnership in August 2018. The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Economy have been appointed as focal point bodies, and UNDP - as a facilitating partner.

The Government of Armenia, specifically the Ministry of Economy, is planning to engage partners to identify and prioritize project needs emanating from the objectives of the Green and Sustainable Economic Development agenda. The Ministry of Economy has developed Armenia’s Green and Sustainable Economic Development Strategy and its Roadmap, which main directions are clearly defined in the Government's 2021-2026 Action Plan. The Government defines the transformation of the economy in accordance with the reality of low-carbon energy and the provision of the prerequisites for the long-term preservation of natural resources in the economic cycle as important preconditions for sustainable development.  

The Government is taking action to increase the share of renewable energy to 50 percent of the total energy mix by 2030. Another key target is to increase the share of electric vehicles to 10 percent in the overall fleet. Measures will be taken to prioritize public and private investment and activate the implementation process. The transition towards a green economy will also create a number of new opportunities for businesses and job-seekers and make Armenian products and services more resilient and competitive in international markets. This is a virtuous path, but it requires concerted efforts, including the introduction of targeted policies, the availability of financial products for green growth and incentive schemes, and the mobilization of appropriate labor market skills.

Through the Special Economic Advisor supported by the NDC Partnership, the Ministry of Economy will receive support for 3 years (in line with the remaining time-period of the Government Programme for 2021-2026) in unlocking resources to support the implementation of a policy aimed at promoting the goals of the green and sustainable economic development agenda. More specifically, the Economic Advisor will support the Ministry of Economy in developing a subset of projects to access international and domestic sources of public and private finance and structuring finance for investment in these projects. The Advisor will also conduct capacity-building activities for the Ministry of Economy and line ministries to ensure lasting capacity in-country through knowledge transfer.

The retainer position is for 1 year, 220 working days, with the possibility of extension. The incumbent will be under the supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist.

The selected Senior Economic Advisor will report to the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and be working closely with the Ministry of Economy, completing the following functions:

• Support the Ministry of Economy to identify, map and prioritize a subset of projects aimed at promoting Green and Sustainable Economic Development Agenda (preliminary identified (sub)sectors are e-mobility (including transport infrastructure), renewable energy and industry, management of natural resources)

• Coordinate between line ministries and implementing/development partners to accelerate projects through the investment pipeline;

• Where possible, pursue opportunities to finance projects through domestic resources as a means of enhancing country ownership;

• Upon request from the Ministry of Economy, provide guidelines for the private sector to understand climate obligations, such as reporting, accountability, transparency, and the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM);

• Provide feedback and recommendations on governmental strategies and concept papers regarding green economy, renewable energy, climate change, and related sectors;

• Upon request of the Ministry of Economy, participate in conferences, workshops, meetings, official events, and negotiation processes;  

• Design and facilitate in-country capacity-building efforts to support the transfer of skills and knowledge to local staff in relevant ministries and government offices; and

• Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by the Ministry of Economy and the NDC Partnership Support Unit.

Key Results Expected

• Activity 1: Lead in the conceptualization, drafting, and finalization of project concept notes and formulate appropriate implementation mechanisms for the identified projects. Support in navigating the range of financing sources, engaging stakeholders to fulfill funding proposal requirements, assessing financial instruments to structure investments, and designing and recommending suitable financial structures.

  • Key Results: At least 4 concept notes developed and finalized, with financing structures, and submitted to potential funding partners. Concept notes should be mapped to the goals of the green and sustainable economic development agenda (the number of notes will be defined at the mapping phase).

• Activity 2: Conduct (pre)feasibility assessment of 2 green investment projects/programs engaging all relevant stakeholders (selection of 2 projects for (pre)feasibility assessment will be coordinated by the leadership of the Ministry of Economy in liaison with the government counterparts). Coordinate between line ministries and implementing/development partners to accelerate projects through the investment pipeline and enhance the country ownership thereof.

  • Key Results: (Pre)feasibility assessments of identified and 2 prioritized green investment projects/programs engaging all relevant stakeholders.

• Activity 3: Conceptualize the institutional and legislative framework on the implementation of carbon accounting. 

  • Key Results: A concept note for Armenia to establish institutional and legislative measures for the implementation of carbon accounting, incorporating a set of recommendations on addressing the existing policy and legislative gaps related to carbon accounting requirements for the private sector.

• Activity 4: Convene 2 round-table consultations with the government and the private sector on the institutional and legislative framework for the implementation of carbon accounting, each with a 2-hour duration, targeting at least 30 participants from the concerned sectors, with the equal of participation of women and men.

  • Key Results: Analytical report summarizing results of consultations with the government and the private sector on carbon accounting (report will include agenda and gender disaggregated list of participants of stakeholder engagement consultations).

• Activity 5: Develop a policy and regulatory framework for operationalizing Article 6, including a governance component and an institutional framework to adapt Article 6 in national legislation and an implementation plan.

  • Key Results: A concept note for Armenia to establish a broad strategy for participation in cooperative approaches under Article 6.

• Activity 6: Convene 2 round-table consultations with the government and the private sector on a policy and regulatory framework for operationalizing Article 6, each with a 2-hour duration, targeting at least 30 participants from the concerned sectors, with the equal of participation of women and men. Liaise with relevant government entities, such as the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Environment and in-country implementing/development partners, providing support in the domain of carbon accounting and cooperative approaches under the Paris Agreement.

  • Key Results: Analytical report summarizing results of consultations with the government and the private sector on cooperative approaches (report will include agenda and gender disaggregated list of participants of stakeholder engagement consultations).

• Activity 7: Provide guidelines for the private sector to understand climate obligations, such as reporting, accountability, transparency, and CBAM in liaison with the government counterparts, Central Bank of Armenia and relevant implementing partners, specifically international financial institutions.

  • Key Results: A report summarizing recommendations and other inputs to support the private sector to understand climate obligations, such as reporting, accountability, transparency, and CBAM.

• Activity 8: Conduct a series of trainings for the private sector for awareness raising on climate obligations, including disclosures related to carbon accounting for at for at least 30 participants from the Ministry of Economy, other decision-makers, and the private sector with the equal participation of women and men.

  • Key Results: Training summary report with analysis of pre-post-evaluation results with gender disaggregated information.

• Activity 9: Design and facilitate in-country capacity building efforts to support transfer of skills and knowledge to local staff in relevant ministries and government offices, including develop training modules and webinar sessions and deliver training session on structuring investment projects and overall activities promoting the goals of the green and sustainable economic development agenda (3 training sessions and 3 webinar sessions) for at least 30 participants.

  • Key Results: In-country capacity-building on-going support to the representatives of the Ministry of Economy and other relevant line ministries. Training and webinars summary report with analysis of pre-post-evaluation results with gender disaggregated information.

• Activity 10: Provide a specific set of recommendations on unlocking resources to support the implementation of policy aimed at promoting the goals of the green and sustainable economic development agenda. Provide feedback and recommendations on governmental strategies and concept papers regarding green economy, renewable energy, climate change, and related sectors.

  • Key Results: Reports summarizing recommendations and other inputs to support promoting the goals of the green and sustainable economic development agenda.

• Article 11: Develop a communication strategy for the government and its existing and potential partners on promoting the goals of the green and sustainable economic development agenda.

  • Key Results: Communication strategy for the government and partners on promoting the goals of the green and sustainable economic development agenda.

• Activity 12: Periodically update the Ministry of Economy and NDC Partnership Support Unit on the interventions carried out and the developments, challenges and lessons learned. Prepare inputs and documentation as requested by the Ministry of Economy in relation to the activities carried out in line with this assignment. Upon request of the Ministry of Economy: 1) Engage and facilitate discussions with representatives of relevant local and international development organizations, banking and financial institutions and other public and private entities to gather insights and recommendations for promoting the implementation of the green and sustainable economic development agenda. 2) Participate in conferences, workshops, meetings, official events, and negotiation processes. 3) Document relevant exchanges with stakeholders and provide the Ministry of Economy with information highlights, agreed steps and division of responsibilities and timelines. The exchanges may include sectoral ministries, private sector actors, subnational government officials, civil society, international cooperation partners, etc. 4) Support and provide insights on vertical (national/regional/global) information sharing and periodic exchanges with members of the NDC Partnership and other parties.

• Master Degree preferably in environmental economics, environmental management, development economics and/or finance, or related fields is required.
• Bachelor's degree in related discipline in combination with an additional 2 years (7 total) of relevant work experience is required.

Required

• With a master's degree, at least 5 years of experience in national or international public, or private sector institutions with a special focus on coordination and articulation of different actors, preparation and implementation of multi-stakeholder work plans, resource mobilization, preparation of proposals for climate actions, crisis response and recovery, project management, monitoring and evaluation. 

• Experience and knowledge of green and sustainable economic strategies and policies

Assets

• In-depth knowledge of the national plans, strategies and policies related to climate change in country. 

• Experience and relevant skills in the use of the Office suite (e.g. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint), virtual communication tools (e.g. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype) and other tools and packages for project management purposes

• Build informal networks internally and externally and visualize them as part of the value creation process

• Demonstrates behaviors such as teamwork, knowledge sharing, and relationship maintenance. Encourages collaboration and improves performance.

Contract type: ICA / ICS 10 retainer
Contract level: Local ICA 10
Contract duration: 12 months, 220 days, with possibility of extension depending on performance and on availability of funds.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.