Vacancy at UN: Consultant for Development of Supporting Material for SDG 12 c.1 Indicator Methodology

Position: Consultant

Organisation: United Nations

Duty Station: Geneva

Closing date: 30 April 2020

The United Nations is looking for a Consultant for the Development of Supporting Material for SDG 12 c.1 Indicator Methodology. The deadline is 30 April 2020. Click here to apply.

Purpose

As custodian agency for the SDG indicator 12.c.1, UNEP has developed a methodology to measure fossil fuel subsidies which was accepted by the Inter-Agency Expert Group on SDG indicators in September 2018 and subsequently upgraded to Tier II. UNEP is also responsible for collecting data on this indicator from 193 UN member countries between 2020 and 2030. This data will feed into the SDG Global Database maintained by UN Statistics and will provide inputs to the UN Secretary General’s progress report on the SDGs.

While periodic international monitoring on fossil fuel subsidies is carried out by international organisations such as the OECD, IMF and IEA, reporting under the SDG12.c indicator will be the first attempt to systemically monitor fossil fuel subsidies to both consumption and production based on national data from 193 UN member countries and to collect this using an internationally agreed methodology. This monitoring and reporting on fossil fuel subsidies will help to increase transparency on fossil fuel subsidies, providing comparable data to allow the tracking of national and global trends. This process can provide an important impetus to global efforts to reform inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by guiding and informing decision-making, increasing awareness and building support for reform among stakeholders. Despite the successful development of a methodology that results in the upgrading of SDG 12c indicator from tier 3 to tier 2, it has been clearly indicated during the consultation process that more guidance and support are needed in order to support countries in successfully monitoring and reporting this indicator. 

To support national capacity building with regards to the measurement and reporting on the SDG indicator 12.c.1, based on the methodology developed last year, UNEP requires support from a consultant with experience in developing technical supporting materials to help national government and statistical agencies measure and report on the SDG 12.c.1 indicator. The UNEP, Economy Division, Resources and Markets Branch currently does not have the relevant expertise in house, to carry out the required tasks.

Responsibilities 

The consultancy contract will start on 1 May 2020 and expire on 31 July 2020.

a. Training materials to show how to take the methodology and apply it practically and pilot case studies – The consultant will design and deliver training materials to primarily support national focal points for reporting on SDG indicator 12.c.1 based on the reporting template to be developed (see below). They would cover how to develop an inventory, for all subsidy categories and mechanisms and for all fossil fuels. The Training materials would include both flowcharts and technical advice but also examples from key sources (national and international). The inclusion of expert contacts would be useful, linking into the dissemination and capacity-building processes. The final training material deliverables would also be designed for dissemination through an e-learning format.

b.    A reporting template which will be used by national SDG focal points to report on the relevant data for the SDG 12.c.1 indicator – The consultant will design and deliver a reporting template which will complement the training materials by providing the countries with clarity on how to report the relevant data to the custodian agency for the 12.c.1 indicator. This reporting template will build on existing templates (e.g. of IMF, OECD, IEA) but be aligned with the Methodology on the indicator and it is expected that the consultant will provide some examples of how the proposed reporting template would look with example data. The reporting template would be expected to have integrated guidance on how to complete it, and the focus would be on maximum convenience for national SDG focal points while being comprehensive with respect to data requirements from the Methodology paper. The reporting template deliverable would also be designed for dissemination through an e-learning format.

Qualifications

Skills: 

• Proven understanding of the current state of the art in the field of fossil fuel subsidies and other incentives for the use of fossil fuels.
• Proven understanding of organizations and research institutions producing data on fossil fuel subsidies, internationally. 
• Proven professional level writing skills.

Academic Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree in a relevant field: economics, finance, public policy, natural resource management, environment, development, international relations, communications or other fields related to the scope of the assignment

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience working on technical issues in the energy economy including reporting to and advising governments and their technical agencies.
• A minimum of three years of experience in researching and analysing subsidies and other fiscal policies is desired.
• Proven track record in developing and coordinating training programs (including e-learning) for government institutions shall be considered an advantage.
• Experience in working on projects with relevant experts in the field across different organizations, including experience in jointly drafting reports.

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.

How to Apply

Submit your application through the UN portal here.