UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) – Consultant Senior Technical Coordinator of the Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy (BST)

Result of ServiceUNEP FI requires a Senior Technical Coordinator to manage and technically supervise the development of the BST: · Supervising and technically coordinate the development of the sectoral technical annexes of the BST for the eight economic sectors in accordance with BST’s objectives as set out in its Action Plan. · Technical coordination and supervision of all technical team deliverables set forth in the Agreement PCA-CC-001-2024 between UNEPFI and CBI, ensuring they are delivered with the agreed upon methodology and framework, expected quality and on the agreed upon dates. · Ensure that the application of the methodology is aligned with the process for developing activity-based technical criteria (metrics and thresholds) within each defined sector frameworks to ensure that science-based criteria are proposed. · Based on feedback received, revise the activity-based technical criteria (metrics and thresholds) and impact indicators within each defined sector frameworks for a) substantial contribution to climate change (mitigation and adaptation) and conservation, sustainable management and use of soil and forests objectives, and b) do no significant harm to all the environmental objectives included in the BST. · Ensure an in-depth assessment of the structural elements of other taxonomies (e.g., EU, Colombia, and Mexico), particularly the list of economic activities included and activity-based technical criteria (metrics and thresholds), relevant to develop the respective structural elements for the BST to enhance interoperability. · Ensure that the recommendations received by the technical roundtables and from the different levels of the BST’s governance structure (IC, Supervisory Committee and Advisory Committee) are incorporated into the working document of the BST. All changes must be documented and approved by the IC and Supervisory Committee. · Ensure that the recommendations received during the public consultation process are incorporated into the BST working document. · Collaborate with the Supervisory Committee to identify and incorporate cross-cutting considerations among different Technical Groups when developing technical criteria and the sectoral/thematic chapters. · Support and advise Brazil’s authorities in developing a taxonomy that addresses the local context whilst ensuring interoperability on a regional and global level and enhanced usability across users. · Coordinate with the consultants ofall Technical Groups (GT in Portuguese) their respective Coordinators, to ensure coherence of the different elements of the BST and usability/practicality of the BST for its users. · Support coordination of deliverables of UNEP FI CBI and PRI partnership on global taxonomy interoperability, e.g. leading on comparison of substantive taxonomy criteria, interoperability principles – in coordination with other partners. · Lead on the development and delivery of the Global Taxonomy Mapper for UNEP FI and CBI, working closely with partners and UNEP FI Member institutions, as relevant. · Contribute technical input to UNEP FI’ taxonomy-related projects as necessary. · Guarantee effective and efficient communication: a. Maintain close collaboration and communication with the technical team and GT Coordinators of the Technical Group / Secretariat of the Supervisory Committee, and the other members of the Technical Group. b. Work with the technical team to provide the coordinators of the respective Technical Group with relevant information that will be part of the periodic report of the work and progress and results of the Technical Group. c. Maintain strict neutrality in the performance of their duties. d. Participate in project coordination, organization and implementation meetings. The Senior Technical Coordinator will also work as part of the UNEP FI Policy team, under the supervision of the LAC Policy Lead, the Global Policy Lead and in close coordination with the Coordinator Consultant of the BST. Work LocationLatin America and the Caribbean; home based with option to work remotely Expected duration9 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) is the strategic partnership between the United Nations and over 500 banks, insurers and investors. For over 32 years, UNEP FI has been shaping and driving the international sustainable finance agenda, setting global standards and growing a global network of leading financial institutions. Through its work-streams and regional activities, peer learning, methodology development, training and research, UNEP FI promotes sustainable finance and helps the financial industry align with and contribute to the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. Global policy and regulatory measures on sustainable finance have increased substantially over the recent years. Public policy critically affects the ability of finance institutions to generate sustainable positive and reduce negative impacts through financing decisions. It affects the sustainability and stability of financial markets, as well as social, environmental and economic systems. Sustainable finance policies have become central to enabling and accelerating a successful transition. UNEP FI's activities in in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region contribute to expand the regional sustainable finance market with the aim to attract private capital towards environmentally sustainable investments. Working on policy and regulatory developments in the LAC region provides an unique opportunity for UNEP FI’s Policy Team to consolidate its position as a leading advocate for sustainable finance globally. In addition, UNEP FI has been mandated by several Member States to support the development of policy and regulatory frameworks in the LAC region including contributing to several Multilateral Policy Platforms on Sustainable Finance. At country-level, specifically, in Brazil, UNEP FI is supporting, together with GIZ, the German Agency for International Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH), the Ministry of Finance (MF) in the development, implementation and adoption of the Brazil’s Sustainable Taxonomy (BST). Both institutions were appointed as Technical Partners by the MF. GIZ and UNEP FI are part of the Secretariat of the Supervisory Committee led by the MF for the development of the BST. On 3 December 2023, the MF launched the Action Plan of the BST . The Action Plan is the first step towards the construction of the BST, whose technical development has been carried out during 2024 and will be extended during 2025. The development of the BST will unfold in multiple phases. During the initial phase of taxonomy development in 2024 and 2025, the technical criteria will be developed, with an initial focus on the climate and environmental objectives 1, 2, and 4 (Climate change mitigation, Adaptation to climate change, and Conservation, sustainable management and use of soil and forests respectively). As indicated in the Action Plan, the economic sectors selected to be part of the Action Plan were: • Agriculture, Livestock, Forest Production, Fishing and Aquaculture • Extractive Industries • Manufacturing • Electricity and Gas • Water, Sewage, Waste Management Activities and Decontamination • Construction • Transportation, Storage and Mail • Social services for quality of life and planning (tourism, urban planning, and Information and Communication Technologies) Considering this context, UNEP FI will hire a Technical Coordinator to closely work with the Sectoral Technical Groups (GTs), and the technical team, comprising the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) and Ambire Global in the development of the BST. The work of the Technical Coordinator, GTs, and technical team is carried out in accordance with the principles and guidelines established by the Interinstitutional Committee (IC) and the Supervisory Committee and under the direct supervision of the Secretariat of the Supervisory Committee of the BST. The Technical Coordinator will be in charge of overseeing the accurate and timely delivery of (i) the BST activity-based technical criteria for each respective economic sector, including the development of the technical criteria of (a) \"substantial contribution\" for climate change mitigation, adaptation to climate change, and conservation, sustainable management and use of soil and forests and (b) \"do no significant harm\" for all the environmental objectives included in the BST; and (ii) the technical annex for the respective sectors for the BST document. The successful candidate will play a critical role in supervising and technically coordinating the development of the sectoral technical annexes of the BST for the eight sectors in accordance with BST’s objectives as set out in its Action Plan, specifically regarding coordination of the activity-based technical criteria developed. Objectives: The Senior Technical Coordinator will work in tandem with subject matter experts, the GIZ, the German Agency for International Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH), the Brazilian Ministry of Finance, in accordance with the product approvals made by the Supervisory Committee and IC of the BST to deliver: · Supervising and technically coordinate the development of the sectoral technical annexes of the BST for the eight economic sectors in accordance with BST’s objectives as set out in its Action Plan. · Technical coordination and supervision of all technical team deliverables set forth in the Agreement PCA-CC-001-2024 between UNEPFI and CBI, ensuring they are delivered with the agreed upon methodology and framework, expected quality and on the agreed upon dates. · Ensure that the application of the methodology is aligned with the process for developing activity-based technical criteria (metrics and thresholds) within each defined sector frameworks to ensure that science-based criteria are proposed. · Based on feedback received, revise the activity-based technical criteria (metrics and thresholds) and impact indicators within each defined sector frameworks for a) substantial contribution to climate change (mitigation and adaptation) and conservation, sustainable management and use of soil and forests objectives, and b) do no significant harm to all the environmental objectives included in the BST. · Ensure an in-depth assessment of the structural elements of other taxonomies (e.g., EU, Colombia, and Mexico), particularly the list of economic activities included and activity-based technical criteria (metrics and thresholds), relevant to develop the respective structural elements for the BST to enhance interoperability. · Ensure that the recommendations received by the technical roundtables and from the different levels of the BST’s governance structure (IC, Supervisory Committee and Advisory Committee) are incorporated into the working document of the BST. All changes must be documented and approved by the IC and Supervisory Committee. · Ensure that the recommendations received during the public consultation process are incorporated into the BST working document. · Collaborate with the Supervisory Committee to identify and incorporate cross-cutting considerations among different Technical Groups when developing technical criteria and the sectoral/thematic chapters. · Support and advise Brazil’s authorities in developing a taxonomy that addresses the local context whilst ensuring interoperability on a regional and global level and enhanced usability across users. · Coordinate with the consultants of all Technical Groups (GT in Portuguese) their respective Coordinators, to ensure coherence of the different elements of the BST and usability/practicality of the BST for its users. · Support coordination of deliverables of UNEP FI CBI and PRI partnership on global taxonomy interoperability, e.g. leading on comparison of substantive taxonomy criteria, interoperability principles – in coordination with other partners. · Lead on the development and delivery of the Global Taxonomy Mapper for UNEP FI and CBI, working closely with partners and UNEP FI Member institutions, as relevant. · Contribute technical input to UNEP FI’ taxonomy-related projects as necessary. · Guarantee effective and efficient communication: a. Maintain close collaboration and communication with the technical team and GT Coordinators of the Technical Group / Secretariat of the Supervisory Committee, and the other members of the Technical Group. b. Work with the technical team to provide the coordinators of the respective Technical Group with relevant information that will be part of the periodic report of the work and progress and results of the Technical Group. c. Maintain strict neutrality in the performance of their duties. d. Participate in project coordination, organization and implementation meetings. Specific tasks and responsibilities: The consultant will provide assistance in the following project/tasks: · Technical oversight of the development of the technical criteria of the Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy (BST), for the 8 sectors in accordance with BST’s objectives as set out in its Action Plan. · Technical coordination and supervision of all CBI/AMBIERE deliverables set forth in the Agreement PCA-CC-001-2024 between UNEPFI and CBI, ensuring they are delivered with the agreed upon methodology and framework, expected quality and on the agreed upon dates. · Ensure an in-depth assessment of the structural elements of other taxonomies (e.g., EU, Colombia, and Mexico), particularly the list of economic activities included and activity-based technical criteria (metrics and thresholds), relevant to develop the respective structural elements for the BST to enhance interoperability. · Collaborate with the Supervisory Committee to identify and incorporate cross-cutting considerations among different Technical Groups when developing technical criteria and the sectoral/thematic chapters. · Support and advise Brazil’s authorities through advisory services in developing taxonomies that address local sustainability needs whilst ensuring interoperability on a regional and global level and enhanced usability across users. · Coordinate with the consultants of the other Sectoral and Thematic Technical Groups, to ensure coherence of the different elements of the BST and usability/practicality of the BST for its users. · Guarantee effective and efficient communication: a. Maintain close collaboration and communication with the coordinators of the Technical Group / Supervisory Committee, and the other members of the Technical Group. b. Provide the Coordinators of the respective Technical Group with relevant information that will be part of the periodic report of the work and progress and results of the Technical Group. c. Maintain strict neutrality in the performance of their duties. d. Participate in project coordination, organization and implementation meetings. Outputs and Deliverables: Supervising and technically coordinate the development of the technical criteria of the Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy (BST), for the 8 sectors in accordance with BST’s objectives as set out in its Action Plan, which include: · A document with the final standardized methodology, templates, and other guidance materials for the Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy (BST) (Product 2 of the PCA-CC-001-2024) · Final Technical Report of the first in-person technical roundtable of the BST (October 2024) (Product 5 of the PCA-CC-001-2024) · First version of BST’s technical annexes for the six economic sectors to be presented in the in-person mission (Product 3 of the PCA-CC-001-2024) · Materials developed for the internal revision process (presentations, feedback questionnaire and other required support materials), and the feedback received by stakeholders and the responses provided through an Excel document that includes all the comments received by the member institutions of the Sectoral Working Groups, how the comments were addressed, and if the comments were included or not in the second version. If the comment was included, please indicate when. If the comment was not included, please explain why (Product 6 of the PCA-CC-001-2024) · Second version of the BST’s technical annexes (objectives 1, 2 and 4) for the economic sectors approved by the IC and Supervisory Committee ready to be submitted to the first phase of the public consultation (Product 7 of the PCA-CC-001-2024) · Third version of the BST’s technical annexes (objective 1, 2 and 4) for the economic sectors approved by the IC and Supervisory Committee ready to be submitted to the second phase of the public consultation (Product 7 of the PCA-CC-001-2024) · An Excel document that includes all the comments received by the two phases of the public consultation process, how the comments were addressed, and if the comments were included or not in the second version. If the comment was included, please indicate when. If the comment was not included, please explain why. · Fourth version of the BST’s technical annexes (objectives 1, 2 and 4) for the economic sectors including comments received from the two phases of the public consultation to be approved by the sectoral working groups. · Final Technical Report of the second in-person technical roundtable of the BST (October 2024) (Product 11 of the PCA-CC-001-2024) · Final document of the BST’s technical annexes for the economic sectors (objectives 1, 2 and 4) approved by the IC and Supervisory Committee and ready to be published (Portuguese and English version). (Product 9 of the PCA-CC-001-2024) · PowerPoint presentation of the BST’s technical sectoral annexes and other materials developed for the launch event (factsheet about the BST) (English and Portuguese). (Product 10 of the PCA-CC-001-2024) · Support finalization of first deliverable of the taxonomy inter-operability collaboration and explore conceptualizing future deliverables. The consultant shall be under the overall supervision of the Head of UNEP FI and will be reporting directly to the Programme Officer responsible for LAC Policy. Qualifications/special skillsEducation: A master’s degree in the following areas: economics, business administration, administration, engineering, finance studies, law or another relevant field. A bachelor’s degree in combination with twelve (12) relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Professional experience: At least 10 years of professional experience in finance, economic development, environmental law or international cooperation. Desirable: 3 years of experience in drafting sustainable finance taxonomies. LanguagesLanguages: Fluent in English is required. Fluency in Portuguese and Spanish is desirable. Additional InformationSpecial skills/Knowledge: • Leadership/management experience: at least 3 years of management/leadership experience as project team leader or manager in a company. • International cooperation experience: previous experience in international cooperation projects, with a focus on developing and analysing national and regional taxonomies. • Experience in climate change (mitigation/adaptation) • Experience with governance in taxonomy development. • Experience with national and cross-jurisdiction taxonomies. • Experience with standards, instruments, norms, initiatives, and metrics related to the environmental/climate/social aspects (systems/taxonomy for sustainable economic/financial activities). • Experience in taxonomy implementation projects. • Experience in facilitating knowledge exchange and dialogue with the private, public and third sector, including ministries, embassies, funding organizations, official authorities, regulating authorities, among others. • Experience in project management, client communication and policy analysis. 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.