Result of ServiceOutput 1. Evaluate the methodologies, protocols, and procedures for financial and economic data derived from the project portfolio. This evaluation will assess current practices' effectiveness and identify improvement areas. Product No. 1. One report detailing the proposed approaches that includes an implementation and monitoring plan to achieve the detailed deliverables. The document should encompass the following: • Identify the project's scope including the key action points, defined by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Environment. • Identify and map all relevant stakeholders involved, taking into account the main sectorial entities of the Non-Financial Public Sector that are managers of the public investment process in Panama. • Conduct a needs assessment to gather information on both the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s and the Ministry of Environment’s requirements, goals, and expectations for the project. This information should be collected with at least three (3) meetings with government representatives. • Develop an implementation and monitoring plan for the project that includes key performance indicators for all activities and a timeline for the activity’s implementation. It should also identify any potential risks for the project and possible mitigation strategies to overcome them. Before submitting the report, the consultant will conduct meetings with the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Economy and Finance located in Panama City, Panama to gather inputs from such entities to support the development of the product. Product No. 2. One document with the project portfolio review that gathers data on projects executed and in execution with a special attention to the current List of Selected Projects that already comply with the Climate Change criteria, and that depend on the general budget of the nation (investment, debt) set during the budgetary period of 2019-2024. The document should include information on the methodologies, protocols, and procedures for managing financial and economic data, emphasizing the methodological guidelines to be followed by project formulating entities, in order to apply the Technical Guide on Climate Change for the Planning, Prefeasibility and Feasibility of Public Investment Projects, the Environmental Impact study methodology and the Manual for the Implementation of Climate Change Labeling for Public Investment Projects. It would also need to identify the stakeholders involved in each project and any relevant regulations or policies that impact project implementation. Product No. 3. A document that contains an analysis to develop a framework with a set of criteria and indicators for evaluating project performance, such as cost efficiency, timeliness, its alignment with Panama’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the Sustainable Development Goals impacted and the project’s overall quality, to review the project portfolio. The document should also include a methodology for identifying bottlenecks and challenges, such as root cause analysis and gap analysis for project evaluation. The consultant should identify the bottlenecks and challenges hindering the project performance with the framework in place, through the application of the proposed framework to one prioritized project by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Environment. The consultant must also define and propose the framework for an inter-institutional coordination mechanism that will facilitate the implementation of the proposed framework and the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of public investment project portfolios with a climate change approach. This institutional mechanism could take the form of an \"Interinstitutional Technical Committee\" and will be led by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Environment. This consultancy aims to review and analyze the portfolio of projects executed, in execution, and in the formulation that depends on the general budget of the nation, including investment and debt. The focus is on methodologies, protocols, and procedures for managing financial and economic data derived from the project portfolio. The goal is to ensure that these projects contribute to Panama's NDC and LTS, promote sustainable development, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Specific tasks and responsibilities • Create the project portfolio review to help the government identify and unlock systemic bottlenecks and challenges (such as procedural delays in implementation, cost overruns, dropping execution rate of capital budget, public investment efficiency gap, etc.). Meet with government officials to understand the diverse of projects in Panama at the moment. • Provide technical guidance on transparency and accountability best practices (e.g., inclusion, gender, and geographic representations) in project and portfolio review. • Give recommendations for enhancing portfolio and pipeline management. Make recommendations on how to address underlying factors, as well as social and environmental aspects. Work LocationPanama City, Panama Expected duration5 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). Throughout UNEP's work, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change marks a turning point to an emerging climate regime that brings all the states and actors together to a new global platform to address the growing risks to our planet. The climate crisis continues to affect the planet and threatens to become irreversible, impacting the territories and populations of Panama and the rest of the world. To comply with the Paris Agreement, Panama has developed a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and a Long-Term Climate Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change. Due to climate change, Panama faces deforestation, coastal erosion, and water scarcity challenges. These challenges have consequences for biodiversity, tourism, and infrastructure. However, Panama is one of the few countries in the world that has achieved carbon negativity, meaning it absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it emits. This achievement is thanks to the country's extensive forest coverage covering over 50% of its land area. The country has implemented various policies and initiatives to promote forest conservation and sustainable land use practices, such as creating protected areas and reforestation programs. The government of Panama has recognized the importance of combating climate change and aligning its financial flows with the Paris Agreement goals. Likewise, the government has also introduced policies to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, and reduce emissions from the industrial sector. Additionally, the country's priority is to align the financial sector's investments with climate goals and establishing a framework for measuring, reporting, and verifying climate finance. Thus, coordination between the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) is necessary to implement Panama's NDC and LTS. This consultancy aims to review and analyze the portfolio of projects executed, in execution, and in the formulation that depends on the general budget of the nation, including investment and debt. The focus is on methodologies, protocols, and procedures for managing financial and economic data derived from the project portfolio. The goal is to ensure that these projects contribute to Panama's NDC and LTS, promote sustainable development, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change. With this in mind, UNEP and the government of Panama have designed a project for the Partnership Action Fund (PAF), funded by the NDC Partnership (Nationally Determined Contributions Partnership). The fund supports NDC enhancement and implementation by reinforcing technical expertise and capacities to address gaps in developing country members. The PAF will complement the NDC Partnership's implementing and development partners' existing support offerings to catalyze further climate action. Among other things, this project will support the implementation of the country's NDCs for their transparency and legitimacy. In this sense, UNEP LACO is recruiting a technical consultant on Climate Change Project Portfolios & Finance in Panama to strengthen their NDCs and Transparency goals. The incumbent will be supervised by UNEP’s Energy & Efficiency Programme Management Officer of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean Office and will work three out of five days at the offices of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and two days at the offices of the Ministry of Environment of Panama located in Panama City, Panama with a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, from Monday to Friday. Qualifications/special skillsEDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: • Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, economics, water/disaster/climate change policy; political science or closely related field (required). • Masters in environmental science, engineering, economics, water/disaster/climate change policy; political science or closely related field (desirable). WORK EXPERIENCE: • Minimum 4 years of experience in climate change, policy implementation, and/or governance & institutional arrangements. (required). • In-depth and proven knowledge and experience in the implementation of development initiatives, policies and programmes related to climate change. (required) • Demonstrated experience in the preparation of policy and strategy reports for national governments and the technical review of national reports and relevant international documents. (desirable) • Proven experience in organizing workshops and interviews with senior figures in ministries and state institutions in the country. (desirable) • Working experience within the Latin American region in general and Panama in particular is an asset. (desirable) LANGUAGE: • Fluency in Spanish (required). • Fluency in English (desirable). SKILLS: PROFESSIONALISM • Experience in the design, preparation and execution of proposals related to climate change or for the exercise of indigenous rights, according to international standards. • Management of the gender, intercultural and human rights approach of indigenous peoples. • Management of Office tools and digital platforms. • Excellent writing and teamwork skills. • Proactive capacity, responsibility and commitment. • Excellent understanding of national climate change commitments. • Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change, indigenous peoples and adaptation planning. • Ability to identify, analyze and participate in resolving issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work, and manage conflicting priorities. • Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. • Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. • Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. • Shows persistence when faced with complex problems or challenges. • Remains calm in stressful situations. TEAMWORK: • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. • solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise. • is willing to learn from others; supports and acts following final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. • shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: • Develop clear goals consistent with agreed strategies. • Identifies priority activities and assignments. • Adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate time and resources for completing work. • Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. • Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. • Uses time efficiently. LanguagesNot available. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
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