Mitigation and Adaptation Local Consultant on AFOLU - Job Opportunity at United Nations

La Paz, Bolivia
Contract
Mid-level
Posted: June 4, 2025
Hybrid
USD 35,000 - 45,000 for the 6-month contract period, equivalent to USD 70,000 - 90,000 annually, reflecting the specialized nature of climate policy expertise, UN organizational standards, and the strategic importance of NDC development work in Latin America

Benefits

Hybrid work arrangement providing flexibility to work remotely while maintaining essential in-person stakeholder engagement
Professional development opportunity through specialized training on FAO tools and greenhouse gas data management systems
International exposure working directly with UN Environment Programme and national government agencies
Travel allowance of $666 per trip for three planned business trips to attend project workshops
Access to cutting-edge climate change modeling tools and methodologies used in international NDC processes

Key Responsibilities

Lead technical coordination of Bolivia's NDC 3.0 development process for the AFOLU sector, directly influencing national climate policy and international commitments under the Paris Agreement
Drive stakeholder engagement strategy by identifying and mapping key sub-national governments and AFOLU sector stakeholders, ensuring comprehensive participation in national climate planning
Execute critical baseline data collection and validation processes that will form the foundation of Bolivia's updated Nationally Determined Contributions for 2025-2035
Develop and implement FAO GHG-DM modeling systems to quantify emission reduction targets, providing scientific basis for Bolivia's climate commitments
Coordinate multi-phase project delivery across government agencies, international organizations, and private sector partners to ensure alignment with national climate goals
Support institutional capacity building through training delivery on greenhouse gas monitoring and reporting systems under the Paris Agreement's enhanced transparency framework
Contribute to investment plan development for new NDC sectors, facilitating climate finance mobilization for mitigation and adaptation projects
Ensure gender-inclusive climate policy development by integrating gender perspectives into all AFOLU sector targets and indicators

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental management, Agronomy, Geographic Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Economics, Political Science, or a related field (Required). Postgraduate studies in Geographic Information Systems, environmental management, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Political Science, or a related field (Desirable).

Experience

Minimum two (2) years of relevant work experience with a master's degree, or four (4) years with a bachelor's, in planning, implementing, and/or monitoring development initiatives, policies, and programs related to climate change and/or actions for NDC (Required). Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience on climate change issues, mitigation, adaptation and familiarity with MRV systems under the enhanced transparency framework of the Paris Agreement, working in Latin-American countries, focusing on the AFOLU sector (required).

Required Skills

General knowledge about baseline and mitigation scenarios, their preparation, and emissions calculation systems In-depth knowledge of Bolivia's climate change regulatory and planning framework, including processes and initiatives at the national and local levels Demonstrated experience in preparing policy and strategy reports for national governments and in the technical review of national reports and relevant international documents Experience using the FAO tool NEXT or equivalent GHG-DM (Greenhouse Gas Data Management) Experience working with the public institutions in Bolivia related to climate change planning
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The global climate consulting market is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by the Paris Agreement's enhanced transparency framework, with countries required to submit updated NDCs every five years, creating sustained demand for technical expertise in greenhouse gas modeling and climate policy development AFOLU (Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use) sector expertise is becoming increasingly critical as this sector represents approximately 24% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it a priority area for climate mitigation strategies worldwide Latin American countries are prioritizing climate adaptation and mitigation integration, moving away from siloed approaches toward comprehensive climate resilience strategies that address both emission reductions and adaptation needs simultaneously The emergence of climate finance mechanisms and green bonds is driving demand for technical experts who can develop bankable climate projects and align national policies with international funding requirements

Role Significance

The consultant will work within a multi-disciplinary team of approximately 5-8 local consultants plus international experts from UNEP-CCC, coordinating with government counterparts from multiple ministries and agencies
This is a mid-level specialist position with significant policy influence, requiring independent technical judgment and direct engagement with national government agencies, positioning the role as a bridge between international climate science and national policy implementation

Key Projects

Development of greenhouse gas emission reduction targets using FAO modeling tools for agriculture and forestry sectors Creation of monitoring, reporting, and verification systems for climate policy implementation Stakeholder engagement processes involving sub-national governments and private sector actors Integration of gender perspectives into climate policy frameworks

Success Factors

Deep understanding of Bolivia's unique climate vulnerabilities and socio-economic context, as the country ranks as the tenth most climate-vulnerable globally according to the Global Climate Risk Index Technical proficiency in greenhouse gas modeling and familiarity with IPCC methodologies, essential for developing credible emission reduction scenarios that meet international standards Strong stakeholder management skills to navigate complex multi-level governance structures involving national ministries, sub-national governments, and international organizations Cultural competency and language skills to work effectively within Bolivia's institutional framework while maintaining alignment with international climate policy requirements

Market Demand

High demand driven by international climate commitments, with limited supply of professionals combining AFOLU technical expertise, Spanish language proficiency, and specific knowledge of Bolivian institutional frameworks

Important Skills

Critical Skills

FAO GHG-DM modeling expertise is absolutely essential as this role involves developing the technical foundation for Bolivia's emission reduction commitments, requiring precise quantification of mitigation potential across agriculture and forestry sectors Deep knowledge of Bolivia's climate regulatory framework is critical for ensuring NDC targets align with national policy processes and institutional capabilities Stakeholder engagement skills are fundamental given the need to coordinate across multiple government levels and sectors while maintaining consensus on ambitious climate targets

Beneficial Skills

Experience with climate finance mechanisms would enhance the consultant's ability to contribute to investment plan development and support Bolivia's access to international climate funding Gender and social inclusion expertise would strengthen the integration of equity considerations into climate policy design, aligning with Bolivia's emphasis on climate justice Previous experience with NDC formulation processes would provide valuable context for understanding the political and technical dynamics of national climate commitment development

Unique Aspects

Direct contribution to Bolivia's NDC 3.0 development, representing a once-in-five-year opportunity to shape national climate policy under the Paris Agreement framework
Integration of climate justice principles and gender perspectives into technical climate modeling, reflecting Bolivia's commitment to equitable climate action
Hybrid work model specifically designed for this consultancy, allowing remote work while maintaining essential in-person government engagement
Focus on holistic climate approach integrating mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage considerations under Bolivia's comprehensive climate framework

Career Growth

2-3 years to advance to senior technical roles, with accelerated progression possible given the rapid expansion of climate policy initiatives across Latin America

Potential Next Roles

Senior Climate Policy Advisor positions with international organizations or national governments Lead Technical Specialist roles in climate finance institutions focusing on Latin American markets Country Program Manager positions with UN agencies or international NGOs specializing in climate and development

Company Overview

United Nations

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) serves as the leading global environmental authority, setting the environmental agenda and promoting sustainable development worldwide, with this position specifically supporting the NDC Partnership's efforts to enhance developing country climate commitments

UNEP maintains the premier position in international environmental governance, with unparalleled access to government decision-makers and influence over global climate policy development
Strong institutional presence in Latin America through regional offices and partnerships, with Bolivia representing a strategic priority given its high climate vulnerability and significant greenhouse gas emissions from the AFOLU sector
Mission-driven environment emphasizing collaborative approaches to complex global challenges, with emphasis on inclusive development and gender equality principles integrated throughout project implementation
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