Consultant on Macro-Climate

Organizational Context

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) supports the Government of Lao PDR in its efforts to achieve low-carbon development. This consultancy focuses on strengthening technical capacity to integrate macroeconomic goals into climate action planning, specifically for the Energy and Industry CO₂ Reduction Master Plan. The role contributes to enhancing policymakers' understanding of climate change impacts and designing policies that foster socioeconomic prosperity.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to support the Government of Lao PDR in developing its Energy and Industry CO₂ Reduction Master Plan by providing crucial technical analysis on the nexus between climate change, climate action, and macroeconomic outcomes. The role will enhance national policymakers' understanding of the economic implications of climate change and climate action, particularly in a country heavily reliant on agriculture and hydropower and vulnerable to climate-induced disruptions. The objective is to help design climate policies that not only mitigate environmental risks but also foster economic growth and social well-being, ensuring that climate action aligns with broader development goals and strengthens macroeconomic resilience in Lao PDR.

Responsibilities

The consultant will prepare a national study on the macroeconomic-fiscal-climate nexus in Lao PDR, aligning with national development plans and climate strategies. This includes assessing macroeconomic exposure to climate-related physical and transition shocks, analyzing their implications for fiscal performance, financing needs, and debt sustainability. The role involves designing and analyzing policy-relevant scenarios (e.g., current policies, NDC implementation, orderly/disorderly transitions) to understand their macro-fiscal impacts. Additionally, the consultant will propose tailored policy recommendations for fiscal strategies, financing instruments, and implementation roadmaps, focusing on enhancing macro-fiscal resilience and debt management. The consultancy also includes participation in workshops to disseminate findings and conduct capacity-building activities for national policymakers.

Work Experience

The role requires broad and in-depth understanding of macroeconomic policy, climate risk analysis, climate-integrated debt diagnostics, fiscal instruments, disaster-risk financing, and sustainable finance, with specific knowledge of Lao PDR's policy landscape. Experience in analytical or advisory roles supporting governments or international agencies is highly desirable. Demonstrated experience in quantitative macroeconomic analysis, macro-fiscal assessment, debt sustainability analysis, or climate-related fiscal risk assessment is also preferred.

Skills

Macroeconomic policy analysis, Climate risk analysis, Climate-integrated debt diagnostics, Fiscal instruments, Disaster-risk financing, Sustainable finance, Quantitative macroeconomic analysis, Macro-fiscal assessment, Debt sustainability analysis, Climate-related fiscal risk assessment, Scenario analysis, Analytical framework development, Climate action planning.

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