Technical Advisor for intercultural engagement and management in indigenous communities in Peru.

Result of Service

1) General objective:

To help strengthen the Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Rainforest (AIDESEP)’s institutionality and its information, MRV (Monitoring, Reporting and Verification) systems, decision-making processes with its duties through its CCA (Consejo de Coordinación Ampliada) sessions, meetings with indigenous communities, strategic planning and administrative operations while being cultural and interculturally competent for transparency and efficiency.


2) Specific objectives:

¿ Institutional strengthening of the Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Rainforest (AIDESEP) to achieve an increase in technical and institutional capacity.

¿ Action and advocacy to achieve the inclusion of the Big Agenda (AGA – Agenda Grande AIDESEP) and other demands into national public policies.

¿ Amazonian Indigenous REDD for climate change mitigation and adaptation.


OUTPUTS

Institutional strengthening of the Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Rainforest (AIDESEP) as a key factor in increasing technical and institutional capacity is achieved to ensure the participation of all stakeholders in climate action and advocacy. The products will help to efficiently advocate for the rights of all stakeholders.

Enhance indigenous peoples' rights to exercise their voices and be heard on issues related to their environment, land, and culture. Through institutional strengthening, it will be possible to increase their capacity to advocate and act for these rights and for an equitable distribution of resources.


DELIVERABLES


Product No. 1.

A Report containing:

1. A plan and strategy to strengthen the participation of the Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Rainforest (Aidesep) in the Platform of Indigenous Peoples to Face Climate Change (PPICC), including the objectives, methodology, proposed key actions, and the work schedule for 2023.

2. Conclusions on the sessions developed to date under the framework of the PPICC, alongside a progress report of the achievements and fallbacks of the PPICC’s Work Plan.


Product No. 2.

1) Report on the results achieved with the technical assistance/capacity-building sessions imparted to the indigenous organizations of the national Amazonian representation of Peru. The technical assistance had as a goal to develop financing mechanism strategies for the operation of the Platform of Indigenous Peoples to Face Climate Change (PPICC). Likewise, the sessions sought solutions to carry out a communication strategy that disseminates the proposals of the PPCC. Additionally, the reports will include the technical opinions provided by the organizations regarding the progress of the PPICC agreements.


Product No. 3.

1) A report containing the identification of a climate change problem in those areas prioritized by the national indigenous organizations. The document should also include an analysis of priorities for implementing climate change adaptation, mitigation measures, and actions.


Product No. 4

1) A report containing the proposal for interventions in two areas prioritized by the national indigenous organizations and the preparation of a training plan to ensure the effective participation of indigenous leaders in all processes related to adaptation and mitigation measures against climate change that facilitate the implementation of the indigenous organization's climate agenda.

Work Location

Home based.

Expected duration

5 MONTHS

Duties and Responsibilities

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.

The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region. Its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy, and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

Throughout the work that UNEP engages in, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change marks a turning point to an emerging climate regime that brings all the states and the actors together to a new global platform to address the growing risks to our planet.

The climate crisis that affects the planet continues to worsen, and its effects, which threaten to become irreversible, continue to affect the territories and populations of all the Andean countries, including Peru. The recent COP 27 held in Egypt has confirmed that global temperatures continue to increase, and greenhouse gas emissions have not been reduced.

These patterns are no exception in Peru and are caused by the rapid and continuous advancements of the deforestation of entire forests in the Amazon, driven by the benefits extracted for transnational companies in the soybean and meat industry. In the meantime, forest and bushfires are worsening, and floods are spreading, effects which Peru is no stranger to, among other consequences.

It has been verified that the deterioration of the quality of life on the planet is due to the increasingly harmful effects of climate change, which significantly affect the lives of the most vulnerable populations in developing countries, including indigenous people, many of whom are in the Andean region.

These precarious situations are exacerbated if we account for the current economic crisis and the war in Ukraine, which have contributed to the global energy crisis. These situations have aggravated the imminent and intensive use of fossil fuels, which delays the transition to a greener energy grid. In addition, the global food crisis is increasing the risk of famine due to the increase in food prices, fertilizers, and food shortages due to the alteration of the supply chain.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) considers Peru a country at risk of famine and the most vulnerable country in the Americas, where more than half of the population is in danger of food insecurity. The country is at risk of food shortages because fewer hectares than average have been planted due to the lack of fertilizers and high prices. Likewise, climatic phenomena and extreme weather events such as droughts, cold temperatures and forest fires worsen the complicated food supply in the country.

In this context, this consultant is needed to propose a set of actions to strengthen the capacities of family producers and farmers to implement technological innovation activities and capacity improvement to overcome the difficulties presented to guarantee agricultural production and agroecological livestock, as well as generating renewable energy that contributes to mitigating the effects of climate change.

With this in mind, UNEP and the government of Perú have designed a project for the Partnership Action Fund (PAF), funded by the NDC Partnership (Nationally Determined Contributions Partnership). The fund supports NDC enhancement and implementation by reinforcing technical expertise and capacities to address gaps in developing country members. The PAF will complement the NDC Partnership’s implementing and development partners’ existing support offerings to catalyze further climate action. Among other things, this project will support the mainstreaming of cross-cutting topics like equal participation, inclusivity of indigenous and aboriginal peoples and knowledge, and the education of the general public on NDCs for their transparency and legitimacy.

In this sense, UNEP LACO is recruiting a Technical Advisor for intercultural engagement and management in indigenous communities in Peru to strengthen their NDCs and Transparency goals. The incumbent will be supervised by UNEP’s Programme Management Officer for Climate Change unit in the Latin America and the Caribbean Office and will work home-based.

Qualifications/special skills

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

¿ Bachelor’s degree in Law, Political science, Economics, Environmental sciences, Humanities, or other areas related to the social sciences (required).


WORK EXPERIENCE:

¿ At least two (2) years of professional experience in topics related to environmental sciences, climate change platforms, intercultural engagement, and management in indigenous communities in the Amazon context (required).


LANGUAGE:

¿ Fluent in Spanish (required).
¿ Confident level of English (desirable).



SKILLS:

PROFESSIONALISM

¿ Has a solid commitment to the goal of indigenous people’s inclusivity.

¿ Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

¿ Excellent understanding of national climate change commitments.

¿ Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change, indigenous peoples and adaptation planning.

¿ Ability to identify, analyze and participate in resolving issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work, and manage conflicting priorities.

¿ 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 complex 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 per final group decision, 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 consistent with agreed strategies.

¿ Identifies priority activities and assignments.

¿ Adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate 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.

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.