The UNFCCC enhanced transparency framework demands substantial and immediate progress in the countries domestic Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems and strategic decarbonisation planning. This entails moving often different methodological approaches in data management to an integrated and robust system. The success of the Paris Agreement hinges on enhanced transparency action and support, as a critical foundation to making bottom-up, country-led, approach work, as well as building mutual trust and confidence amongst Parties.
The CBIT project of Costa Rica, in alliance with DTU, will support Costa Rica in establishing an overarching structure across all sectors that will ensure high quality in its transparency instruments; and create the capacities to respond to UNFCCC’s reporting requirements. CBIT most important contribution will occur through the creation of capacities at an inter-sectoral level. This cross-sectorial work is fundamental to Costa Rica due to the economy-wide nature of its NDC target, which seeks to drive deep, transformational decarbonisation, which can only be achieved incorporating multi-inter-sectoral approaches.
Costa Rica has designed and implemented a first operational version of the National Climate Change Metrics System (SINAMECC by its acronym in Spanish). The objective of the system is to improve the metrics of the climate change actions, policies and plans of the climate, in a way that facilitates their reporting and accountability at the national and international level. This in addition to being a means to improve data-driven decision making.
SINAMECC is a tool that articulates the implementation of institutional and inter-institutional protocols and arrangements with the implementation of a digital platform that facilitates, digitizes and supports the sustainability of the processes of transparency and climate change metrics, considering aspects of openness of the non-confidential data collected.
For this purpose, a consultant will contribute in the analysis and provision of recommendations to ensure alignment between the SINAMECC and the Enhanced Transparency Framework.
Read the full Terms of Reference
Objective
The objective of the consutancy is to analyse the knowledge sharing platform of the National Climate Change System of Costa Rica (SINAMECC by its acronym in Spanish) and provide recommendations for its compliance with the Enhanced Transparency Framework of the Paris Agreement. This in close collaboration with the national CBIT team and the UNEP DTU team.
Scope of the work
The consultant is expected to develop reports listed below in close coordination with the National CBIT team and the UNEP DTU team. The activities include to jointly with the local expert, facilitate the improvement of the knowledge sharing of SINAMECC so the information could be consulted for more and different stakeholders. It also includes to analyse the knowledge sharing processes of SINAMECC and provide recommendations considering better compliance with the transparency requirements of the Paris Agreement and national open data policies and plans. The consultant will also support the local expert in the implementation of the improvements to the knowledge sharing platform, considering review of documents and periodical follow up calls, as well as design a roadmap for establishing the improved Knowledge sharing platform. There will be two onsite workshops (if possible with the COVID-19 restrictions at that time) which the consultant will support the local with technical inputs and assist with onsite support.
Deliverables
- Deliverable 1: Analysis of the improvements in the knowledge sharing processes of SINAMECC and recommendations considering better compliance with the transparency requirements of the Paris Agreement and national open data policies and plans
- Deliverable 2: Analysis of the data shared on SINAMECC (considering its format and methodological information) considering the identified users and provide recommendations on format, visualization on the data and new data that should be included.
- Deliverable 3: Roadmap for establishing the improved Knowledge sharing platform
- Deliverable 4: Report with the lessons learned of the first stages of the implementation of the improved knowledge sharing platform of SINAMECC
UNEP DTU Partnership (UDP) will review all written deliverables before being finalized. This includes: i) all reports to be drafted; ii) UDP reserves sufficient time to review in detail and provide feedback; and iii) UDP will sign‐off on final version. UDP ‘s role will be to review final outputs, offer feedback, and ensure coherence with CBIT guidelines and best practices.
Organizational Setting and Reporting:
- The Consultant will report to, and be directly supervised by the CBIT project team, consisting of a representative of the Costa Rican government (Ministry of Environment), and a representative from UNEP DTU Partnership.
- The consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
- The consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own work station (i.e. Laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to reliable internet connection;
- The consultant will be retained on a contract with the UNEP DTU Partnership and payments based on satisfactory delivery of expected outputs
- The position is home-based and part time.
Qualifications required
- At least a Master degree in environmental sciences or its equivalent (10%)
- Experience designing and implementing MRV systems in Costa Rica (15%)
- Experience compiling and calculating greenhouse gases inventories with the IPCC 2006 guidelines (15%)
- Experience designing and implementing capacity building programs for government stakeholders related to transparency tools. (15%)
- Knowledge of the COP decisions related to the transparency and reporting mandates under the UNFCCC. (15%)
- Excellent understanding of Costa Rican advances in transparency (10%)
- Excellent understanding of current advances of the international negotiations under the UNFCCC, particularly related to the Article 13 of the Paris Agreement. (10%)
- Proficient analytical and writing skills and excellent English and Spanish communication skills (10%)
Budget: The budget allocated for this consultancy is USD 40,000 to be paid in stages, subject to satisfactory deliverables.
Duration: The contract period is expected to last 12 months from the day the contract is signed (with a part time dedication).
Application deadline: 7th April 2021
Application procedure: The application should contain (in Spanish):
- CV and cover letter.
- Methodology on how the consultant expects to implement the activities.
Please send the application to Per Harry Wretlind at perwre@dtu.dk and Ana-Lucia Moya-Mora at ana.moyamora@un.org.
Q & A
We have received the following questions to the call and UNEP DTU has responded the following.
Question:
- Is it addressed to a national consultancy?
- If it is open for international consultancy, can a company apply?
Answer:
- There are no limitations if it’s a national or international consultant or consultancy (firm/company) who apply for it. The terms of reference specify what the criteria are, and what we are looking for.
Application deadline: 07/04/2021