Energy Transition Specialist Consultant

Embedded within the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Department of Urban Environment, and under the overall guidance of the UNEP Brazil Representative, the Energy Transition Specialist will provide day-to-day technical advice to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) as it increases technical capacity on Energy Transition. The consultant will serve as an internal energy specialist, assisting MMA focal points in interpreting technical and analytical inputs, preparing policy documents, facilitating inter-ministerial coordination, and engaging with domestic and international partners. Key outcomes will include: substantive technical contributions to the Roadmap process; provide guidance to cross-government workshops and public dialogues (including Rio and São Paulo Climate Weeks); inputs to domestic (Plano Clima, Long-Term Strategy) and international (BOGA, COP31) policy processes; and strengthened institutional capacity within MMA on energy transition themes including decarbonization modelling, fiscal risk, and just transition. Specific tasks and responsibilities: Under the supervision of the UNEP Brazil Office Representative and in close coordination with the UNEP Brazil Office, the tasks and responsibilities of the Energy Transition Specialist consultant will include: Embedded Technical Advice to MMA Energy Hub: • Serve as the day-to-day energy expert embedded within Ministry of Environment and Climate Change 's Energy Hub, providing direct technical and analytical guidance to Ministry focal points on the Just Energy Transition. • Provide technical advice to UNEP’s Climate Policy lead in managing and overseeing the research implemented by Universidade de Campinas and provide strategic and technical guidance on the economic impact analysis. • Interpret and translate analytical inputs — including decarbonization models, fiscal risk assessments, and transition scenarios — into policy-relevant outputs for the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change decision-makers. • Advise on aligning the Energy Transition Pathways with national policy frameworks (Plano Clima, Plano de Transformação Ecológica, National Energy Transition Plan) and international obligations (NDC, BOGA, COP31). • Facilitate inter-ministerial coordination (Ministries of Mines and Energy (MME), Finance (MF), Environment and Climate Change (MMA), and the Casa Civil), including the preparation of technical briefs, meeting notes, and position papers. Capacity-Building and Stakeholder Engagement: • Contribute to the development and delivery of capacity-building programmes for MMA staff and relevant stakeholders on energy transition themes, including decarbonization modelling, critical minerals governance, VRE integration, energy efficiency policy, just transition frameworks, and de-risking and financial mechanisms. • Ensure internal coordination within Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, including with the Green Resilient Cities programme and other relevant initiatives, and with UNEP's Strategic Engagement Advisor. Programme Coordination and International Engagement: • Ensure the effective implementation of the Brazil-Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance Fund programme, based on the initial Expression of Interest and agreed Terms of Reference, and contribute to smooth coordination between Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and UNEP. • Promote Brazil’s engagement in national and international energy transition fora, such as the Major Producers Dialogue (MPD) and COP31-related processes, including the preparation of analytical inputs and case study contributions. • Monitor international energy policy developments and produce regular briefing notes to inform Ministry of Environment and Climate Change 's strategic positioning.

UNEP Brazil Office, Brasilia

6 months

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 environment. 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, works closely with the 33 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). UNEP Country Office in Brazil is a key development partner of the Brazilian government and supports national and sub‑national public and private sector institutions and civil society to advance a more sustainable and inclusive society by strengthening the relationship between people and nature, and between economic development and environmental protection. Brazil is at a critical juncture in its energy transition. On 5 December 2025, the President of the Republic issued an Executive Dispatch (Despacho Presidencial) mandating the Ministries of Mines and Energy (MME), Finance (MF), Environment and Climate Change (MMA), and the Casa Civil to develop, within 60 days, a proposal for a CNPE (National Energy Policy Council) resolution establishing directives for a just and planned energy transition roadmap, including mechanisms for the creation of an Energy Transition Fund to be financed by government revenues from oil and gas exploration. This mandate places the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change at the centre of a complex interministerial process, requiring strong technical capacity on energy policy, decarbonization modelling, and fiscal transition risks. This mandate is embedded in a broader national climate architecture. The updated Brazilian NDC (November 2024) and Plano Clima provide the overarching mitigation and adaptation framework, while the Ecological Transformation Plan (Ministry of Finance) drives the economic transition across six axes: Bioeconomy, Technological Densification, Green Infrastructure, Energy Transition, Circular Economy, and Sustainable Finance. The National Energy Transition Plan (Plano Nacional de Transição Energética), under MME, covers the long-term energy sector trajectory. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change must now coordinate with all of these frameworks in codeveloping the Fossil Fuels Transition Roadmap mandated by the President. In this context, UNEP, through its “Brazilian Cities Pathways to Transition Beyond Oil and Gas” project, is supporting the MMA in its efforts to discuss decarbonization policies and inter-ministerial coordination and translate analytical outputs into actionable policies. Thus, UNEP is seeking to hire an Energy Transition Specialist to be embedded within the MMA Energy Hub, providing day-to-day technical, analytical, and policy guidance to the Ministry. The incumbent will be supervised by the UNEP Brazil Country Office Representative and will work 40 hours per week, from Monday to Friday, on a full-time basis. The position will be based at the UNEP Brazil Office in Brasilia, Brazil.

ACADEMIC - Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, International Relations, Environmental Sciences, Biology, Management, Political Sciences, Economical Sciences, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Engineering or related area of study is required. - Master´s degree in Public Administration, International Relations, Energy Policy, Environmental Sciences, Biology, Management, Political Sciences, Economical Sciences, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Engineering or related area of study is required. - PhD, degree in Public Administration, International Relations, Energy Policy, Environmental Sciences, Biology, Management, Political Sciences, Economical Sciences, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Engineering or related area of study is desirable. PROFESSIONAL: - Two (2) years of professional experience in the field of sustainable development, climate change policy development, energy policy/transition or environmental management is required. - Demonstrated expertise in energy transition, and transition finance risks is desirable. - Proven experience in project management is desirable. - Experience with public finance and financial-related risks is desirable. - Technical expertise working with multi-stakeholder processes in sustainable development and global commitments is desirable. - Experience in working with the UN System and at international level is desirable. - Experience with Brazil’s public sector institutions is desirable.

- Fluency in Portuguese is required. - Fluency in English is required.

COMPETENCIES: PROFESSIONALISM: • Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations. TEAMWORK: ● Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: ● Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

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.