Climate Change-biodiversity synergies in SIDS

Result of Service
Under the supervision of the RCO Economist / Technical Lead for COP28, the
consultant will be expected to perform the following tasks:

‎1. Conduct a comprehensive review of the relevant literature on NbS and
climate finance, with a focus on SIDS, including official documents, reports,
academic publications, and media coverage.

‎2. Develop a clear and concise primer report that explains the main concepts,
principles, and processes of NbS and climate finance, using accessible
language and visuals.

‎3. Incorporate case studies and examples from different SIDS that illustrate
the practical implications of NbS for financing climate action, including the
opportunities and limitations of blue credits and mangrove credits.

‎4. Develop key and concise messages that can be used for advocacy purposes,
in consultation with partners such as the SIDS Coalition for Nature, AOISIS,
and others.

‎5. Revise the report based on feedback from the project manager and other
stakeholders, ensuring that it is accurate, well-written, and relevant to a
broad audience.
Work Location
Remotely
Expected duration
‎3 months
Duties and Responsibilities
The United Nations recognizes the importance of addressing climate change and
biodiversity loss as two interrelated global challenges that require urgent
action. Climate change has been identified as a major driver of biodiversity
loss, affecting ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity. Similarly,
biodiversity conservation and nature-based solutions (NbS) play a vital role
in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The consultant will be responsible for producing a primer report that covers
how nature-based solutions in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) can be
useful advocacy tool for financing climate action in SIDS. This includes
efforts in the context of Articles ‎6.2 and ‎6.4 of the Paris Climate Agreement,
with a focus on the following objectives:

• Identify the main types of NbS that are relevant for SIDS, including blue carbon, terrestrial carbon, and other ecosystem services, and assess their potential for carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic development.


• Explain the main mechanisms and frameworks that are available for financing NbS in SIDS, such as carbon markets, climate funds, and public-private partnerships, and analyze their advantages, challenges, and opportunities.


• Analyze the role of Articles ‎6.2 and ‎6.4 of the Paris Climate Agreement in promoting NbS as a viable means of mitigating and adapting to climate change in SIDS. This can extend to costing the contributions of NbS in SIDS and other provisions for carbon pricing, carbon offsetting, and sustainable development.
  Qualifications/special skills
  A Master's degree or equivalent degree in ecology, environmental
  science/policy, or any other related field is required. A Ph.D is desirable.

All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
A minimum of five years of professional experience in conducting research and
writing reports related to environmental science and international policy is
required.
A minimum of five years of professional experience in working on climate
change and biodiversity issues is required.
Strong analytical and writing skills, with a proven ability to communicate
complex scientific concepts to non-expert audiences is required.
Familiarity with the United Nations system and international environmental
policy frameworks is desirable.
Languages
Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations
Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA.

For this position, fluency in English is required.

Note: "Fluency" equals a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read,
write, and understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of 'confident' in
two of the four areas.
No Fee
THE 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.