Forest and Climate Regional Advisor - LAC

Organizational Context

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority, setting the environmental agenda and promoting sustainable development within the UN system. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO) works closely with 33 regional countries, integrating activities into UNEP's strategic framework. This role supports the UNEP CMU LAC team.

Job Purpose

This role provides crucial technical and strategic support to UNEP's regional portfolio in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The purpose is to enhance coherence across national implementation, regional priorities, and international forest and climate frameworks. This is achieved through policy-relevant analysis, advisory inputs, and the development of knowledge products. The position contributes to advancing forest and climate action in the LAC region, with a specific focus on Brazil, by informing strategic engagement, supporting partnership development, and facilitating cooperation processes. The role also supports UNEP's participation in high-level dialogues and ensures alignment with global strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include conducting analytical reviews of forest and climate policy developments in LAC, particularly in Brazil, and preparing synthesis documents and technical briefs. The role involves developing analytical notes and knowledge products on forest finance, jurisdictional approaches, and carbon markets. It also includes contributing to the refinement of the regional workplan, preparing briefing materials for high-level meetings, and providing technical inputs for coordination between regional and global UNEP teams. Furthermore, the role supports cross-country cooperation, South-South engagement, and the preparation of concept notes and documentation for cooperation initiatives. Contributions to regional reporting, donor communications, and the organization of technical meetings and workshops are also expected.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of experience in forest finance within the LAC region is required, covering areas like REDD+, carbon markets, and payment for ecosystem services. Experience in preparing policy briefs, technical reports, and analytical notes for governmental or international audiences is also required. Specific experience with environment and climate issues in Brazil is necessary.

Skills

Policy analysis, technical brief development, knowledge product creation, strategic engagement, coordination, programme support, cross-country cooperation, South-South engagement, reporting, donor communication, meeting organization, familiarity with forest finance, REDD+, carbon markets, jurisdictional approaches, climate finance mechanisms, Article 6 discussions.

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