Consultant Specialist in Public Finance

The Public Finance Consultant will continue the Climate Public Expenditure Analysis and Institutional Review (CPEIR) of El Salvador, previously conducted in 2018 for the period 2011–2015, developing the following: Product 1. An expenditure analysis to introduce this study to relevant stakeholders: A report that includes a review of updated climate policy instruments (PAM, PNAIC, NDC, PNCC -National Climate Change Plan-, sectoral plans, among others), identifies laws and regulations relevant to climate change, defines the time frame of the expenditure analysis (agreed on with the Ministry of Finance), and prepares a review of what data is available. Product 2. An assessment report on current policy priorities and strategies related to climate change: A policy analysis report containing a map of national and sectoral climate policies; assessing the coherence between climate policies and development and poverty reduction goals; identifying opportunities for integration between sectoral strategies; documenting the participation of stakeholder institutions in policy formulation, implementation and monitoring (based on available records provided by MARN); analyzing the use of evidence in policymaking (climate science, vulnerability assessments, costs); and evaluating monitoring and evaluation frameworks for climate policy effectiveness. Product 3. A review of institutional arrangements to promote the integration of climate priorities into budget and expenditure management: A document with a review of institutional arrangements should consider updating the institutional mapping (ministries, agencies, committees and coordinating bodies); analyzing the role of the Ministry of Finance in budget labeling and climate markers, including current opportunities for improvement; reviewing inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms (PAM, PNAIC, NDC, PNCC, MRV -Measurement, Reporting and Verification- system, and other national and regional climate initiatives); describing the capacity of local governments in planning, consultation, service delivery and implementation of climate action; and the document management of international cooperation (GCF, AF, GEF, bilateral sources, others). Product 4. A report with the review of the integration of climate change objectives within the budgetary process, including as part of planning, implementation, expenditure management, and budget financing: A report reviewing the integration of climate change objectives into the budget process, analyzing how these objectives are incorporated into the planning, formulation, implementation, expenditure management, and financing of the public budget. This analysis will be based primarily on a review of budgetary regulations and practices, supplemented by a detailed examination of public expenditure data and, where relevant, specific technical consultations. Product 5. A summary evaluation document outlining the key findings and recommendations: Report (draft and final version) consolidating the analyses performed and containing: 1. Executive Summary with the Evaluation and Recommendations; 2. Executive and visually appealing presentation for MARN use in dissemination; 3. National workshop explaining the methodology and results strategically and clearly to the sectors with which we work, and another for the Climate Finance Roundtable; 4. Infographics to disseminate results in digital format and for publication on online platforms (observatory). Specific tasks and responsibilities The Consultant Specialist in Public Finances will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by conducting the following tasks, considering the UNDP methodology: Outcome 3.4 Adaptation finance increased. • Output 3.4.1 Sources, mechanisms and operational steps are identified to mobilize financial resources for national adaptation priorities. • Deliverable 1: An expenditure analysis: methodological approach, timeframe (Agreed on with the Ministry of Finance), and a review of available data. Activity 1.1 Conduct a review of updated climate policy instruments and identify relevant laws/regulations. Activity 1.2 Define and validate the time frame of the expenditure analysis in close collaboration with the Ministry of Finance. • Deliverable 2: A policy analysis report: assessment of climate policy priorities and their coherence with development, poverty reduction, and inclusion goals. This analysis will be conducted primarily through document review. Activity 2.1 Map national and sectoral climate policies, assess coherence with development/poverty reduction goals, and identify integration opportunities. Activity 2.2 Document stakeholder participation in policy processes and analyze the use of evidence in policymaking. Activity 2.3 Evaluate monitoring and evaluation frameworks for climate policy effectiveness. • Deliverable 3: Review of the report on institutional arrangements: updated institutional mapping, coordination mechanisms, roles of key ministries (including the Ministry of Finance), and capacities at the national and subnational levels. This analysis will be conducted primarily through document review, supplemented by targeted virtual consultations. Activity 3.1 Update institutional mapping and analyze the Ministry of Finance’s role in budget labeling/climate markers. Activity 3.2 Review inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms and describe local governments’ capacity for climate action. Activity 3.3 Assess management of international cooperation (GCF, AF, GEF, bilateral sources, etc.). • Deliverable 4: A climate public expenditure analysis report: identification and quantification of climate-related expenditures, application of climate relevance weightings, and analysis of fiscal instruments. Activity 4.1 Prepare a review of available data sources. Analyze and quantify climate-relevant expenditures, identifying which government policies and programs are relevant to climate change. The whole-of-government Chart of Accounts should be reviewed to ensure that the administrative structure allows for the integration of meaningful spending elements across different areas of government, beyond a prescriptive list of candidate ministries. It is important to identify the activities within budget lines as well as the administrative structures. The CPEIR typology should be used as a basis. Activity 4.2 Identify and apply a weighting for the climate change relevance of these policies and programs. The UNDP methodology recommends two weighting tools, depending on data availability: 4.2.1 CPEIR Climate Relevance Index (if the data is limited) 4.2.2 Cost-benefit ratio (if the necessary data is available). Activity 4.3 Develop a climate spending data analysis using available information and the existing budget structure to estimate the following (but not limited to): 4.3.1 Total government budget allocations and results: 4.3.2 By type of expenditure: recurring vs. capital 4.3.3 By source: domestic vs. external 4.3.4 Total climate-relevant expenditures: 4.3.5 By type of expenditure: recurring vs. capital 4.3.6 By source: domestic vs. external 4.3.7 By CPEIR typology: Policy and Governance (PG); Scientific, Technological and Social Capacity (ST); and Climate Change Implementation (CCD) 4.3.8 By levels of relevance (depending on the weighting methods used) 4.3.9 By ministries: ministries with the largest allocations 4.3.10 By strategic sectoral policies 4.3.11 Proportional analysis: 4.3.12 Climate-relevant expenditures as a proportion of total government budgets/spending 4.3.13 Climate-related expenditures as a proportion of GDP 4.3.14 Spending on strategic sectoral policies Activity 4.4 Identify "negative" expenditures, that is, expenditures that have negative consequences for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Activity 4.5 Review of tax instruments, considering: 4.5.1 Revenue-generating instruments: These include taxes, green bonds, or fees to generate income that address the impact of climate change. 4.5.2 Behavioral-changing instruments: These include earmarked grants, allocated subnational tax transfers, national climate funds, taxes, tax exemptions, and subsidies to incentivize investment in climate-friendly projects (e.g., corporate income tax and VAT exemptions/reductions for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects) or to discourage investment in projects that contribute to climate change (e.g., a carbon tax). • Deliverable 5: A summary report of assessments and recommendations: consolidated findings and recommendations, including a national validation workshop. Activity 5.1 Prepare and deliver a comprehensive report (draft and final) consolidating all analyses performed.

Home-based

5 MONTHS AND 11 DAYS

The 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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama works closely with the thirty-three countries of the region, and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). In terms of addressing climate change, UNEP aims to support countries in compliance with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions. The overall objective of UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change is to strengthen the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low-emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including an ecosystem-based approach, are implemented and integrated into key sectoral and national development strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts. Furthermore, the UNEP´s Sub- programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensuring that crosscutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment are effectively undertaken in the development of its tasks to guarantee equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives. In this context, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) and UNEP have agreed on the implementation of the project “Agreements, processes, and tools to move towards a climate-resilient society in El Salvador” framed within the Readiness program of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The project aims to strengthen institutional engagement and capacities to plan, finance, implement, monitor, and report strategic adaptation processes, considering stakeholders at multiple levels. The project seeks to achieve its objective through four components: • Adaptation planning, governance, and institutional coordination strengthened. • Evidence basis produced to design adaptation solutions for maximum impact. • Private sector engagement in adaptation catalyzed. • Adaptation finance increased. To achieve the project objectives, UNEP LACO is recruiting a Consultant Specialist in Public Finances with experience in climate finance to continue the Climate Public Expenditure Analysis and Institutional Review (CPEIR) conducted in 2018 for the period 2011-2015. The new study will apply the same analytical framework as the CPEIR—comprising three key pillars: policy analysis, institutional analysis, and climate public expenditure analysis—to the subsequent period to maintain comparability and consistency of the results. This exercise will allow for an assessment of the opportunities and limitations for integrating climate change considerations into national budget allocation and implementation processes, following UNDP's methodology for the CPEIR. In addition, the current context of El Salvador will be considered, which has Plans, Actions and Measures (PAMs), National Plans of High Climate Impact (PNAIC), the recent update of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), and the existence of the Climate Finance Roundtable as a coordination mechanism for the mobilization of resources towards climate action. The Consultant Specialist in Public Finances will operate under the overall supervision of the UNEP Deputy Regional Director in Latin America and the Caribbean (LACO), in coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN). The consultant will work remotely. In addition, the consultant will collaborate closely with the UNEP Adaptation team, MARN in El Salvador, other national consultants, and governmental and non-governmental counterparts. Travel may be required for consultation processes.

ACADEMIC • A bachelor's degree in economics, public finance, or a closely related field is required. • Master´s degree in climate change, finance, public policy, or a closely related field is desirable. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ● Five (5) years of work experience related to public finance, policy analysis, and national budgets, or in a closely related field, is required. ● One (1) study on climate-related public spending is desirable. ● Experience collaborating with government institutions on policy analysis, inter-institutional dialogue, or policy development is desirable. ● Demonstrated experience in multi-level coordination (national, subnational, and/or sectoral) in financial planning and budgeting is desirable. ● Demonstrated experience in preparing reports and official documents for technical and high-level meetings is desirable. ● Experience with international organizations is desirable. SPECIAL SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE SKILLS • Ability to identify gaps in public financial information and propose alternative solutions, calculations, and/or new information to achieve objectives and scope. • Demonstrates the ability to build alliances, facilitate dialogue, resolve conflicts, and work in multi-sectoral environments. • Familiarity with key concepts, frameworks, and international agreements related to climate change adaptation under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). • Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports for policymakers or decision-makers and technical reports. • Ability to communicate complex and technical ideas to a general audience. • Ability to build strong working relationships with people from different areas and sectors in a multicultural and multi-level environment. PROFESSIONALISM Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial, and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. Shows pride in their work and achievements; is meticulous and efficient in fulfilling commitments, meeting deadlines, and achieving results; demonstrates persistence in the face of difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients, earning their trust and respect; identifies client needs and matches them with appropriate solutions. COMMUNICATION Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets others' messages, and responds appropriately; asks clarifying questions and shows interest in maintaining two-way communication; adapts language, tone, style, and format to the audience; demonstrates openness in exchanging information and keeping people informed. TEAMWORK Can work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve organizational objectives and assume leadership when appropriate; seeks opinions, genuinely valuing the ideas and experience of others; is willing to learn from others. Prioritizes the team's agenda over personal priorities; supports and acts upon the group's final decision, even when those decisions do not fully reflect their own position; shares credit for the team's achievements and accepts joint responsibility for the team's shortcomings. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING Develops clear objectives that are consistent with agreed-upon strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as needed; allocates the appropriate amount of time and resources to complete the work; anticipates risks and considers contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as needed; uses time efficiently.

● Fluency in Spanish is required ● Confidence in English is desirable

Not available.

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