Technical Assistant – México

Result of Service

The Consultant's ultimate result of services will consist of providing the technical assistance for inter-secretariat coordination, to monitor and follow up on actions outlined in the NDC 3.0 regarding adaptation and loss and damage in order to enable the monitoring and review of information that allows tracking the actions from the Government of Mexico for the implementation of the NDC 3.0.
• Bachelor's degree in environment, natural resources, sustainable development, economics, policy science, administration, planning, or a closely related field (Required).
• Master's degree in climate change, economy, finance, political sciences, planning, project management or a closely related field (Desired).

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

Full-time / 18 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Paris Agreement on Climate Change represents a milestone in global efforts to address the climate crisis. As a vulnerable country to the effects of climate change, Mexico faces significant risks to its ecosystems, economy, and communities. Extreme weather events such as droughts, heatwaves, and forest fires have intensified, threatening biodiversity, water resources, and agricultural productivity. Coastal areas are also at risk due to rising sea levels, impacting infrastructure and livelihoods. Mexico has expressed a strong commitment to advancing its national climate adaptation agenda. Key priorities for 2025 include the development and adoption of the country's first National Adaptation Plan (NAP), the strengthening of the adaptation component of Mexico's NDC 3.0, and, for the first time, the integration of a Loss and Damage (L&D) component within the NDC. These efforts require the definition of clear measures, flagship activities, and the establishment of a robust monitoring and transparency framework to effectively track implementation and results. To support these ambitious objectives, there is a need for specialized technical expertise embedded within national processes to guide the design, alignment, and operationalization of adaptation-related policy instruments. In this sense, UNEP is recruiting a Technical Assistant in Mexico to support the work of the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT). This support will consist of technical assistance for inter-secretariat coordination to monitor and follow up on actions outlined in the NDC 3.0 regarding adaptation and loss and damage, in order to enable the monitoring and review of information that allows tracking the actions from the Government of Mexico for the implementation of the NDC 3.0. Likewise, develop activities related to the monitoring of adaptation policy instruments that allow strengthening resilience through the country's adaptation priorities (social, ecological, water, productive), and support the improvement of transparency mechanisms necessary to monitor and evaluate national progress (M&E) by supporting the monitoring of the Special Federal Program on Climate Change (PECC) in its adaptation component and the development of the National Adaptation Policy. In addition, the technical assistant will be responsible for advising the Mexican government on integrating a human rights and gender perspective into climate policy. The consultant will be supervised by UNEP's NDC Act & Invest Global Coordinator and will work in a hybrid work model, where the consultant will participate to in-person activities such as meetings and stakeholder engagements as required, at the SEMARNAT located in Mexico City, Mexico. This arrangement will be coordinated and approved by the SEMARNAT. 1. Supporting the organization of meetings and overseeing the overall proceedings of the Adaptation Policy Working Group (GT-ADAPT) and the REDD+ Working Group (GT-REDD+) under the CICC. 1.1. Supporting the organization of meetings and overseeing the proceedings of the GT-ADAPT and the GT-REDD+, including invitations and general activities to carry out hybrid meetings. 1.2. Overseeing the substantive preparations and follow-up to agreements of the GT-ADAPT and GT-REDD+, including annual work plan and minutes, annual activities report, meeting convening materials, presentations and technical inputs, etc. 2. Updating the directories for the Adaptation Policy Working Group GT-ADAPT and GT-REDD+, and principal stakeholders. 2.1. Develop an updated database of the designated Adaptation Policy Working Group GT-ADAPT. 2.2. Draft reports of coordination mechanisms with stakeholders and key actors for the update of the NDC adaptation component. 2.3. Prepare reports of policy analysis and policy assessment of the achievements of current NDC. 3. Reporting inputs to consolidate documents of policy analysis and policy assessment. 3.1. Draft invitations and call documents for official invitations. 3.2. Draft event reports (minutes) and propose drafting agreements. 3.3. Prepare materials for meetings and events as requested by DGPAC. 4. Drafting invitations and call documents, event reports (minutes), notes and follow-up of agreements of the Adaptation Policy Working Group GT-ADAPT. 4.1. Brief reports (If necessary) of other activities requested by the DGPAC. 5. Elaborating brief reports (If necessary) of other activities requested by the DGPAC. 6. Coordinate and provide logistical and substantive support for the organization of GT-ADAPT and GT-REDD+ meetings, including preparation of invitations, agendas, presentations, and meeting minutes. 7. Oversee the preparation and follow-up of working group agreements, including drafting of annual work plans, activity reports, and documentation of decisions and actions. 8. Maintain and update directories of GT-ADAPT, GT-REDD+, and key stakeholders involved in the NDC adaptation process. 9. Support the development of policy analysis and assessments related to the current NDC adaptation component, including synthesis of stakeholder inputs and coordination mechanisms. 10. Prepare meeting materials, event reports, and official correspondence, including calls for participation, background notes, and summaries of technical discussions. 11. Respond to ad hoc requests from DGPAC by drafting technical notes, brief reports, or other support documents as needed. Timely delivery of outputs as outlined in the Terms of Reference. Quality of design work, materials, and reports produced, as well as the approval of products/ deliverables/ outputs by the consultant's reporting officer, Jérôme Malavelle, Project Management Officer, UNEP.

Qualifications/special skills

• Bachelor's degree in environment, natural resources, sustainable development, economics, policy science, administration, planning, or a closely related field (Required).
• Master's degree in climate change, economy, finance, political sciences, planning, project management or a closely related field (Desired). Minimum three (3) years of relevant work experience in designing climate change plans, environmental science and sustainability (Required). Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience in the design and/or implementation of development initiatives, policies and programs related to climate change in Mexico (Desirable). In-depth knowledge of Mexico's climate change regulatory and planning framework, including hands-on involvement in projects addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation at the national and local levels (Desirable). Experience working with public institutions in Mexico, with a focus on policy and action plans to advance sustainable development (Desirable). Commitment to interdisciplinary and socially inclusive research, including works on sustainability that integrates diverse social dimensions (Desirable). Previous experience and knowledge of climate change issues, national adaptation plans, loss and damage, and NDCs (Desirable).

Languages

Fluency in Spanish (Required). Confidence in English (Required).

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.