National Market Research Expert

 

This position is located under the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development/Montreal Protocol Division (TCS/MPD).

 

TCS/MPD is responsible for planning, developing and implementing activities for developing countries and countries with economies in transition to facilitate compliance with the Montreal Protocol and in particular its Kigali Amendment, and to support countries to achieve their nationally determined contributions to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases under the Paris Agreement through activities related to the Montreal Protocol and its Kigali Amendment. The services of the division are focusing in particular on transformative approaches for manufacturing in refrigeration, air conditioning and insulation foam sectors; related working fluids and chemicals; total greenhouse gas emissions caused by related products; their green design to extend their lifetime and reduce further their greenhouse gas emissions; as well as related capacity building and policy support.

 

PROJECT CONTEXT

 

SAP ID 210198

 

In 2016, a modification to the Montreal Protocol, the Kigali Amendment (KA), an international instrument in which countries committed to reducing the production and consumption of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in the next 30 years, was adopted in Kigali, Rwanda. It is estimated that the adoption of these measures will represent climate benefits of more than 80 billion tCO2e by 2050, which could prevent an increase of up to 0.5 °C in global temperature by the end of the century.

 

The KA establishes that all Parties to the Montreal Protocol must gradually reduce the use of HFCs according to a schedule stipulated in the Protocol (see: https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/1365924O/unep-fact-sheet-kigali-amendment-to-mp.pdf). Mexico, as a Country operating under Article 5 and a member of Group 1, must freeze its baseline consumption (average of the county’s 2020, 2021 and 2022 annual consumptions) in the year 2024 and progressively reduce it to 80% of its baseline for the year 2045, in accordance with the reduction schedule established by said instrument.

 

Decision XXVIII/2 related to KA, establishes that A5 Parties will have flexibility in how to prioritize HFC phase-down, i.e. define sectors, select technologies/alternatives, develop and implement strategies to meet their agreed HFC-related obligations, on the considering their specific needs and national circumstances. The above principle has been incorporated into the guidelines of the Executive Committee, consequently, at the 87th meeting of the Executive Committee for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol (ExCom) held in July 2021, the general guidelines that countries must comply with were approved. A5 for the preparation of the Kigali Phase 1 Strategies (KIP for its acronyms in English) with a compliance horizon of 2029.

 

In the same ExCom 87 and in line with the request of the Government of Mexico, submitted through UNIDO, the ExCom approved funds for the preparation of the KIP of Mexico.

 

The Secretariat reviewed stage I of the KIP for Mexico in light of the existing policies and guidelines of the Multilateral Fund, including decisions 91/38 and 92/37, stage II of the HPMP, and the 2023–2025 business plan of the Multilateral Fund.

 

At its 93rd meeting, the Executive Committee decided to approve, in principle, stage I of the Kigali HFC implementation plan (KIP) for Mexico for the period 2023 - 2029 to reduce HFC consumption by 10 per cent of the country’s estimated baseline by 2029.

 

Furthermore, the Executive Committee approved the pilot project to maintain and/or enhance the energy efficiency of replacement technologies and equipment in the context of HFC phase down for Mexico.

 

In order to address the outstanding tasks and new commitments to the Montreal Protocol, as well as to comply with national and international guidelines applicable to project development, it is considered relevant to promote the strengthening of the National Ozone Unit (NOU), through operational monitoring of activities, documentation and dissemination of projects, gender equality and training of staff in technical aspects and in the implementation of environmental projects with international funding.

 

The NOU will monitor all project related activities, including the collection of consumption and production data and reporting as required by the Montreal Protocol and the Multilateral Fund, with a specific focus on the HFC phase-down schedule for the Article 5 countries and the agreement between Mexico and the Executive Committee.

 

Based on the background of previous Montreal Protocol programs, currently with the implementation of the KIP, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the variations in refrigerant costs in the national market, based on the demand for the use of HFCs and their alternatives by the manufacturing industry and end users, which could mark a significant trend in HFC consumption and impact HFC phase-down goals in Mexico.

 

As new technologies and alternatives with low or zero GWP but often higher prices permeate the market, national consumption demand may be compromised, which is why the government will be required to have relevant and updated information on trends in the market to define, if necessary, actions with other related authorities for decision-making that could ease the fulfilment of the commitments established in the Kigali Amendment.

 

 

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Under the direct supervision of  the Ozone Unit Coordinator and in close cooperation with the project team in the HQ and field location, the expert will be responsible for the performance of the following main duties:

 

 

 

To conduct the required market study on HFC prices and their alternatives existing in 2024 and possible trends in the demand for refrigerants in the national market for the years 2025-2029.

 

The services and information required to carry out the market study correlate with the main activities developed by the Multilateral Fund Secretariat for the implementation of the KA.

 

 

MAIN DUTIES

Concrete/measurable

Outputs to be achieved

Expected duration (if WAE)

Planning

 

Project progress 15%

 

1. Elaborate a work program, describing the activities and execution time.

Deliverable 1:

Work program

 

During contract period

Coordination

Project progress 35%

1. Review and analyze the international trends and value of the international HFC market.

 

1. Collect, compile and analyze information regarding the national legislation, policies and procedures on HFC prices and low- or zero-GWP alternatives to HFC.
2. Prepare a study of costs at the national level which includes an analytical approach regarding the different regional markets for HFCs in the country, as well as alternatives with low or no global warming potential, including the reclaiming gases. Experiences and results.

Information and support actions: Country report, A7, Ozone Secretariat Data Center[1], conduct interviews or meetings with different companies, request quotes or online consultations on different platforms to obtain the necessary data.

 

1. Identification of the main variables that impact on the HFC prices.

Deliverable 2:

 

Document containing:

The international analysis on trends and value of the international HFC market.

 

The analysis of national legislation, policies and procedures on HFC prices and low- or zero-GWP alternatives to HFC.

The study of cost and the main variables impacting HFC prices.

During contract period

Project progress 50%

1. Mapping of refrigerants demand by regions, including projections and analysis of trends in refrigerant prices in the national market, taking into account weather variation among different regions resulting from geographical conditions[2].

Information and support actions: Conduct interviews or meetings with different companies, request quotes or online consultations on different platforms to obtain the necessary data.

1. Collect and compiled the cost/prices of the HFCs and their alternatives by:
   1. HFC company (when feasible)
   2. Wholesale/retail
   3. E-commerce
   4. Others
2. Evaluation and determination of economic and HFC consumption trends, based on existing data from 2019-2024 to make future projections.

Based on existing data from 2019-2024, and refrigerant prices, as well as data on the sector's GDP participation calculate the market value of HFCs as well as future projections.

Generate a list, tables and graphs by substances with prices and trends in the market, by sector, uses and applications.

Information and support actions: Conduct interviews or meetings with different companies, request quotes or online consultations on different platforms to obtain the necessary data, as well as information from INEGI about the sector.

 

 

1. Evaluation and determination of economic and HFC consumption trends, based on existing data from 2019-2024 to make future projections.

Based on existing data from 2019-2024, and refrigerant prices, as well as data on the sector's GDP participation, calculate the market value of HFCs as well as future projections.

Generate a list, tables and graphs by substances with prices and trends in the market, by sector, uses and applications.

Information and support actions: Conduct interviews or meetings with different companies, request quotes or online consultations on different platforms to obtain the necessary data, as well as information from INEGI about the sector

Deliverable 3

Mapping document by regions, including projections and analysis of trends in refrigerant prices in the national market

 

Documents with cost/prices of the HFCs and their alternatives

 

 

Document with evaluation and determination of economic and HFC consumption trends, based on existing data from 2019-2023 to make future projections.

 

During the contract period

Final report

 

Identify general conclusions and recommendations.

Draft the final version of the market study on HFC prices and alternatives, trend in the demand for refrigerants in the national market for the year 2024.

 

 

Final document of market study on HFC prices and alternatives, trend in the demand for refrigerants in the national market for the year 2024, including conclusions and recommendations

 

During the contract period

Total

3 months

 

Support information

 

The following information will be provided by the NOU to the consultant for the purpose of the project:

 

• List of authorized importers/exporters, and where available, distributors;
• Documents such as security sheets, trade names, code numbers, and labelling, to be presented to customs by importers and exporters of HCFC; and
• CP and A7 Report for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 preliminary.

 

Additional information should be obtained from other sources such as official pages of economic authorities, INEGI, e-commerce platforms, etc.

 

 

Verification document

 

The final verification report should:

 

• Describe the detailed steps and procedures taken to conduct the Market study on HFC;
• Describe the existing and applicable legislation and policies to control the costs of HFCs and their alternatives in the national market.
• Provide detailed data that demonstrates trends in the Mexican market of demand and variations in the price of refrigerants consumed in Mexico.

 

 

REPORTING

 

Deliverable 1 Project progress 15%, Work program.

Deliverable 2 Project progress 35%, progress report on activities 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Deliverable 3 Conclusion of Market study document on HFC prices and alternatives, trend in the demand for refrigerants in the national market for the year 2024, that includes activities 1 to 10.

 

Considerations:

The final report must be presented in English and Spanish.

Final verification document considering the feedback from National Ozone Officer, and submitted the final report.

 

 

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

 

Education: Advanced degree in economics, actuary, applied mathematics, engineering, environmental sciences, environmental management or business administration is required. A Bachelor’s degree plus an additional three years of relevant work experience on top of the minimum requirement may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.

 

 

Technical and Functional Experience:

 

• At least three (3) years of work experience in the relevant field of market analysis mainly in complex products (such as refrigerant gases or other chemicals) is required.
• Knowledge/Experience in research and data analysis in the industrial, commercial sector or similar is required.
• Knowledge/Experience in refrigeration sector/industry in Mexico and/or good understanding of the use of refrigerants is desirable.
• Proven basic knowledge of the Montreal Protocol requirements for Mexico is required.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English is required.

 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

 

Core values:
WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key competencies:
WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.