Economist Consultant — Green Economy and Sustainable Finance

Result of Service

The consultant's services will contribute to the timely and effective delivery of UNEP's green economy and sustainable finance portfolio across global, regional, and country-level workstreams. Specifically, the outputs will: •Validated analytical frameworks and technical outputs delivered for PAGE country assignments in Morocco, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia, enabling government counterparts to advance climate risk, blue bond, and circular economy reforms. •A consolidated, peer-reviewed CFMCA Flagship Guide update, integrating partner contributions and reflecting a consistent Ministry of Finance-centric framing. •A validated macroeconomic modelling framework and gender and social inclusion guidance tools delivered for the NZNPA IP, strengthening analytical foundations across participating countries. •A completed macroeconomic assessment of environmental investments in Saudi Arabia, with findings presented to national counterparts and UNEP project leadership

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

8 montha

Duties and Responsibilities

UNEP is the voice of the environment within the United Nations system. UNEP acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the sound use of the environment and sustainable development. Located within the Industry and Economy Division, the Finance and Economics Branch examines how the economy, trade and finance interact with the environment and contribute to sustainable development at the local, national, regional and global levels. Based in Geneva, the Division leads the Green Economy Initiative to help countries integrate environmental considerations into their economic and trade policies. The Economic and Fiscal Policy Unit (EFPU), under the Finance and Economic Branch of UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division, supports countries in advancing sustainable finance frameworks and economic policy reforms aligned with climate, nature, and pollution objectives. Under the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), UNEP provides technical assistance to governments to strengthen green fiscal policy, sustainable finance instruments, and enabling frameworks for economic transformation. Under the GEF Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator (NZNPA) Global Platform, UNEP aims to support countries in accelerating efforts to achieve net-zero nature-positive economies by addressing the complex connections between climate change and biodiversity loss. UNEP's Finance and Economics Branch is currently delivering a portfolio of activities on green economy and sustainable finance, spanning country-level engagements (Morocco, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia), global knowledge flagship products (the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action (CFMCA) Flagship Guide update), and multi-country programmes, including the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) and the GEF Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator Integrated Programme (NZNPA IP). These workstreams require sustained technical and analytical support, including the design and application of macroeconomic modelling frameworks, the integration of gender and social inclusion considerations across project countries, and the technical review and consolidation of partner contributions. Delivering this portfolio requires a consultant with combined expertise in green economy and sustainable finance, applied macroeconomic modelling, and gender and social inclusion analysis, as well as the ability to engage effectively with national counterparts and international partners. EPFU does not have this combination of expertise available in-house. Specific Tasks and Responsibilities A. PAGE Country Support Morocco — Mohammed VI Fund for Investment (FM6I) •Provide technical analysis and advisory support to UNEP’s contribution to the development of a methodological and institutional framework for integrating climate risk assessment and management into the Fund’s investment processes. •Attend designated technical meetings with PAGE partner agencies and the national coordinator, as requested by the supervisor; produce written summaries of substantive decisions and agreed follow-up actions. •Provide written technical review comments on the diagnostic study, methodological report, and training materials, for consideration by the Programme Manager. •Prepare a mid-contract technical note presenting the draft Climate Risk Assessment and Management Methodology, including diagnostic findings and proposed methodological framework Kazakhstan — Blue Bond Framework •Provide technical analysis and advisory support to the development of national Blue Bond Issuance Guidelines and accompanying eligibility criteria, ensuring alignment with international standards and Kazakhstan’s water and regulatory context. •Attend designated technical meetings with PAGE partner agencies and the national coordinator, as requested by the supervisor; produce written summaries of substantive decisions and agreed follow-up actions. •Provide technical advisory inputs to pilot Blue Bond issuers; prepare a technical review note on the draft Blue Bond Issuance Guidelines and eligibility criteria for use by national authorities and UNEP in the finalisation process Indonesia — Circular Economy Financing Model •Provide technical analysis and advisory support to the development of a national financial model on circular economy and a social and economic impact assessment of circular economy investments. •Prepare capacity-building materials for financial institutions in Indonesia, including a training guide and workshop materials •Attend designated technical meetings with PAGE partner agencies and the national coordinator, as requested by the supervisor; produce written summaries of substantive decisions and agreed follow-up actions. CFMCA Flagship Guide Update •Review and consolidate partner contributions to the CFMCA Flagship Guide, producing substantive comments and recommendations for revision •Draft annotated outlines for action areas (chapters) of the CFMCA Flagship Guide under consultant responsibility •Draft, edit, and restructure chapter content and case studies, ensuring consistent application of the Ministry of Finance-centric framing and adherence to Coalition editorial standards. •Prepare technical materials for working sessions with contributing partners; participate as technical expert in bilateral and multilateral exchanges and produce written summaries of substantive technical inputs and agreed revisions. B. GEF Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator Integrated Programme (NZNPA IP) •Develop and refine the methodological approach for integrating net-zero and nature-positive considerations into macroeconomic models; produce a draft guidance document as a contribution to the NZNPA IP modelling workstream •Provide gender and social inclusion analysis across NZNPA IP workstreams, including the application of a standardised assessment framework across project countries; produce a technical note on the framework and guidance notes for country teams •Lead the design and delivery of the African regional NZNPA workshop, including preparation of agenda, session materials, and post-workshop summary report C. Saudi Arabia Green Economy Assessment •Prepare a draft assessment of pilot projects in Saudi Arabia, including analysis of their feasibility and insights to guide public investment decisions •Apply macroeconomic modelling techniques to evaluate the impact of green investments across environmental, social, and economic indicators; produce a draft macroeconomic assessment of environmental investments in Saudi Arabia •Prepare a presentation package for technical exchange with Saudi Arabia counterparts, including a slide deck and supporting analytical notes

Qualifications/special skills

-Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in economics, environmental economics, public policy, or a related field (required). -PhD in economics or a related discipline (asset). -At least five years of relevant professional experience. -Professional experience in research and policy analysis for academia and/or international institutions on topics related to gender and/or environment (required). -Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and generate actionable policy-relevant insights (required). -Demonstrated experience in green economy, sustainable finance, or fiscal policy (required). -Demonstrated experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder processes, including engagement with government counterparts, international organizations, and implementing partners (required). -Experience working within the United Nations system and/or with international institutions (required). Demonstrated experience in macroeconomic modelling, ideally with experience in system dynamics, integrated assessment models, or green economy modelling frameworks (desired). -Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team. (desired)

Languages

-Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required. Knowledge of French and Spanish is an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE 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.