Cooling Policy and Engagement Advisor - Brazil

Result of ServiceThe consultant will provide support on government engagement, strategic and technical advisory, coordination, policy dialogues and outreach. This will include supporting and helping drive strategy development and policy change, cross-departmental coordination, collaboration and coordination with diverse stakeholders’ technical assistance efforts, unlocking of large-scale finance for sustainable cooling, and delivery of UNEP programs in Brazil on passive cooling in buildings, nature-based solutions and urban design to lower urban heat island, and the overall cooling agenda in the country. The individual will directly support Brazil as Co-chair of the GCP and UNEP Brazil Country Office’s Climate Policy lead in engaging with relevant stakeholders. Outputs are: 1. Support the Brazil’s Government in developing a National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP). 2. Support Brazil Country Office and Cool Coalition in developing a national strategy on cooling and extreme heat in Brazil, in the context of the Latin America and Caribbean Region. 3. Successful Global Cooling Pledge Ministerial Roundtable at COP30 4. Identification of project pipelines, financing sources and delivery partners Performance indicators: The consultant will have supported the achieving of the overall project objectives of mainstreaming efficient, climate-friendly cooling and action on extreme heat into national, state and local policy frameworks, guidelines and plans. Specific tasks and responsibilities: 1. Support the Brazil’s Government in developing a National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP) a. Support Brazil’s Ministry of Environment to facilitate the coordination process with the multi-stakeholder NCAP technical working group. b. Conduct a high-level assessment and map out the cooling landscape/context in Brazil, leveraging any existing data, secondary research, and inputs from experts to gather data and information. c. Organize interviews with governmental officials and other relevant stakeholders in Brazil in order to collect information and fill the data gaps. d. Provide summary document capturing the minutes of the meetings of the multi-stakeholder NCAP technical working group and the inter-ministerial committee. e. Develop a comprehensive NCAP document considering all assessments, modelling outcomes and recommendations. It will feature scenario comparisons and sector-specific strategies to support decision-making. 2. Support Brazil Country Office and Cool Coalition in developing a national strategy on cooling and extreme heat in Brazil, in the context of the Latin America and Caribbean Region. a. Mapping of stakeholders and support in coordination of technical assistance programs b. Provision of relevant technical information on sustainable responses to Extreme Heat to support decision making, including cold chain, passive cooling and nature based solutions. c. Mapping of existing training efforts and gaps in cooling in the Brazil and LAC Region. d. Research and document relevant gaps, barriers and opportunities for the cooling agenda in Brazil, including key information on national industry and users of cooling services. e. Mapping and monitoring of vulnerabilities to extreme heat in different regions of the country, based on main local risks and benefits and tracking relevant extreme weather events. f. Evaluation of key benefits and co-benefits of a programmatic approach to cooling, including added resilience, job creation, inequality reduction and increased access to cooling services by vulnerable communities and individuals g. Documented government policies and development of reports and briefs h. Technical inputs to fundraising proposals 3. Successful Global Cooling Pledge Ministerial Roundtable at COP30 a. Provision of logistical and substantive support to the 2nd Annual Global Cooling Pledge Ministerial Roundtable at COP30, including coordinating with the Co-Chair, and overall COP30's Presidency participation, preparing briefing notes, and supporting event management. b. Support the GCP Co-Chair in developing a Ministerial Roundtable Comuniqué on Extreme Heat and/or related topic as requested c. Preparation of e-mails, invitations, briefing notes, presentations to support GCP Co-Chair and UNEP’s team. 4. Identification of project pipelines, financing sources and delivery partners a. Mapping of government priority projects and high-impact opportunities in different ministries and the private sector b. Engagement alongside UNEP Finance Unit with potential investors, banks and CSR for support of project pipelines Work LocationBrasilia, BRAZIL Expected duration8 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesCooling demand is growing rapidly, driven by rising population, increasing incomes, and higher global average temperatures. Cooling is essential for sustainable development, but growth in demand will drive further climate change, creating a vicious cycle of more cooling and emissions. To avoid this future, this report lays out sustainable measures in three areas: passive cooling, higher energy efficiency standards, and a faster phase down of climate warming refrigerants used in the cooling industry. Getting cooling right with these measures would cut at least 60 per cent off predicted 2050 sectoral emissions, provide increased access to life-saving cooling, take the pressure off energy grids, and save trillions by 2050. The Global Cooling Pledge (GCP), launched at COP28 by its host UAE, has over 72 signatories Member-states, supported by COP30 President and Co-Chair of the GCP, Brazil. More recently the COP30 Presidency and UNEP Cool Coalition have launched ‘Beat the Heat’ implementation drive on sustainable cooling. Through Beat the Heat, the goal is to turn cities into engines of adaptation and drive implementation of the Global Pledge. Brazil will be the first to deploy this programme in the country, while promoting it abroad through working with the sub-nationals and also through a national cooling action plan. UNEP is seeking to hire a consultant on Cooling Policy and Engagement to support Brazil’s efforts to develop a National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP) to tackle extreme heat as a multi-ministry effort, deploy beat the heat projects on cooling, and prepare the 2nd Global Cooling Pledge Ministerial Roundtable in Belém. The selected consultant will work, under the guidance of UNEP’s Brazil Country Office and UNEP Cool Coalition Head of Secretariat in Paris, and the Brazilian National Secretariat of Urban Environment, Water Resources and Environmental Quality (GCP’s Co-Chair), to strengthen delivery capacity and promote the Global Cooling Pledge and the Cooling agenda towards COP30 and beyond. The main objective of the consultant will be to support the Brazil’s Government in developing a National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP). The NCAP aims to develop a strategy that meets the increasing demand for cooling driven by climate change, urbanization, and population growth. The NCAP seeks to improve the energy efficiency of cooling systems, adopting climate-friendly refrigerants, and encouraging passive cooling methods to reduce environmental impacts. In addition to developing the NCAP, the consultant will also: • Support Brazil’s role as Co-Chair by engaging other countries to join the Global Cooling Pledge through preparation of emails, issuance of official letters, follow ups, identification of opportunities, tracking progress, etc. • Support, in liaison with the Global Cooling Pledge secretariat and Brazil Country Office, the preparation of a draft communique on the role of cooling in tackling extreme heat and support Brazil with its socialization ahead of COP30 through logistical support. • Support in drafting briefing notes and speeches to facilitate Brazil’s engagement as the Co-Chair of the Global Cooling Pledge (GCP) and the Cool Coalition in Pledge's meetings and other related cooling events, ahead and during COP30, in close coordination with the Global Cooling Pledge Secretariat and the Brazil Country Office (BCO). • Assist in the coordination of the COP30 Ministerial Roundtable by providing logistical and substantive support for the successful delivery of the 2nd Annual Global Cooling Pledge Ministerial Roundtable at COP30, including coordinating with the Co-Chair, and overall COP30's Presidency participation, preparing briefing notes, and supporting event management. • Undertake a mapping of policies and regulatory frameworks and government programs that promote sustainable cooling in line with the Pledge across ministries (e.g. MEPs, building codes, social housing programmes etc.), identify gaps, redundancies, opportunities, and support Brazil to consolidate, coordinate and showcase its leadership through a ‘whole of government’ response to extreme heat through cooling at COP30 • Undertake a stakeholder mapping on cooling in Brazil and support development and delivery of the engagement strategy • Support UNEP’s holistic response to support Brazil on extreme heat impacts on health, cities and food systems • Perform other duties related to the Brazil Country Office, GCP and COP30 as assigned. • Support UNEP’s engagement with industry and private sector partners to foster collaboration with cooling industry stakeholders in Brazil, support the implementation of the GCP, and mobilize new partners from Brazil to join the Cool Coalition. Qualifications/special skillsAcademic • Advanced University degree (Masters or equivalent) in public administration; economics; building engineering; architecture; urban planning; environmental studies; law; political science; or a similar discipline is preferable. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional Experience • A minimum of five years’ experience in field relevant to climate change and sustainable cooling, with strong experience of engaging government officials and industry to deliver policy change. • Knowledge of national policies on climate change and/or cooling in Brazil is required. • Excellent written and oral communications skills on energy, urban planning, buildings and environmental related topics. • Demonstrated ability to provide technical assistance, including through project management and policy development, to governments and other stakeholders. • Demonstrated ability in multi-stakeholder process and stakeholder engagement. • Experience in sustainable cooling in buildings and cities, especially passive cooling, energy efficiency and Nature-based Solutions, is desirable. Language • Fluency in written and oral Portuguese and English is required. Special skills/knowledge: Specific knowledge: Has knowledge of public administration, urban planning, energy efficiency, cooling and green building norms, including technology, policies and city management, real estate finance, and experience in policy and regulatory framework development in coordination with many multi-stakeholders. Possesses strong analytical skills and the ability to proactively seek inputs and lead consultations with a variety of stakeholders. Has experience engaging officials and industry at a senior level. Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence and flexibility when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly, concisely and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify perceptions, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates proactivity and openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Considers outputs achieved according to effectively delivery, as opposed to the amount of time given to tasks. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues across institutions to achieve organizational and strategic goals; is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. A minimum of five years’ experience in field relevant to climate change and sustainable cooling, with strong experience of engaging government officials and industry to deliver policy change LanguagesNot available. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.