Forest and Climate Regional Advisor - LAC

Strengthened technical and strategic support to UNEP CMU’s regional portfolio in Latin America and the Caribbean through the preparation of policy-relevant analysis, briefing materials, knowledge products, and advisory inputs that enhance coherence across national implementation processes, regional priorities, and relevant international forest and climate frameworks. The consultant will undertake the following tasks to advance the delivery of the above-mentioned objectives: a) Review and analyze policy developments, technical processes, and implementation initiatives related to forest and climate action in LAC countries, with particular emphasis on Brazil, identifying key implications and strategic considerations for CMU engagement. b) Develop technical briefs, analytical notes, synthesis documents, and knowledge products related to forest finance, jurisdictional approaches, carbon markets, and other thematic areas relevant to the CMU portfolio. c) Contribute to the updating and refinement of the CMU LAC regional workplan, ensuring coherence between country-level activities, regional priorities, and emerging strategic opportunities for engagement. d) Contribute to the design and advancement of cross-country and interregional cooperation processes, including structured South–South engagement and dialogue with partner countries, through the preparation of strategic inputs, concept notes, and related documentation. e) Develop briefing notes, talking points, and background materials for UNEP’s participation in high-level meetings, bilateral engagements, and international policy dialogues related to forest and climate action. f) Contribute to the preparation of regional reporting, donor communications, and programme documentation, ensuring alignment with UNEP strategic priorities and applicable global frameworks. g) Contribute to the organization and documentation of technical meetings, workshops, and policy dialogues (virtual or in-person), including the preparation of agendas, presentations, and summary reports. h) Provide technical inputs and documentation to strengthen coordination and alignment between CMU LAC and relevant UNEP global teams and initiatives.

Home based

The 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). The consultant will contribute to the UNEP CMU LAC team in the following areas/activities: Technical Analysis and Knowledge Support • Conduct analytical review of forest and climate policy developments across LAC, with particular emphasis on Brazil, and prepare synthesis documents and technical briefs to inform CMU strategic engagement. • Develop analytical notes and knowledge products related to forest finance, jurisdictional approaches, carbon markets, and related implementation processes within the CMU portfolio. • Contribute with the articulation of regional implementation experience in relevant international forest and climate frameworks through the preparation of briefing notes, background materials, and analytical summaries. Coordination and Programme Support • Contribute to the updating and refinement of the CMU LAC regional workplan, ensuring coherence across country-level activities and emerging strategic priorities. • Prepare briefing notes, talking points, and analytical inputs to support UNEP’s participation in high-level meetings, bilateral engagements, and policy dialogues. • Provide technical inputs and strategic documentation to support coordination and alignment between CMU LAC and relevant UNEP global teams and initiatives. • Contribute technical inputs to support strategic engagement processes and partnership development related to forest and climate initiatives. • Contribute to regional reporting, donor communications, and programme documentation in alignment with UNEP strategic directions. Cooperation and Policy Dialogue • Contribute with the design and facilitation of cross-country and interregional cooperation processes, including structured South–South engagement and dialogue with partner countries. • Prepare concept notes, strategic background materials, and follow-up documentation for bilateral and multilateral cooperation initiatives. Meetings, Events and Operational Support • Contribute to the planning and organization of technical meetings, workshops, and policy dialogues (virtual or in-person), including preparation of agendas, presentations, and summary reports. • Contribute to the drafting of Terms of Reference and other programme documentation as required. • Participate in regular coordination meetings with the UNEP LAC CMU team, the UN-REDD Programme, and other UNEP teams as required. The consultant will be supervised by the Programme Management Officer of the Climate Mitigation Unit (CMU), UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office, and will work full-time (40 hours per week) on a home-based basis, with travel as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental management, economics, geography, or a related field (required). • A minimum of five (5) years of experience working on forest finance topics in the LAC region is required. These may include areas such as REDD+, carbon markets, and payment for ecosystem services. • Experience in preparing policy briefs, technical reports, analytical notes, and briefing materials for governmental or international audiences is required. • Experience working on environment and climate-related issues in Brazil is required. • Familiarity with jurisdictional approaches, climate finance mechanisms, or Article 6-related discussions is desirable.

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consulting position, fluency in oral and written English and Spanish is required and knowledge in the Portuguese language is desirable. • Knowledge of another UN language is highly desirable.

Not available.