Iraq: International Climate Mitigation Expert

Jul 12, 2020 | UNDP
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The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves.

Background

Climate change is the world’s largest challenge which poses significant threats to global peace and security and threaten to backtrack progress to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). 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 peace and development. Actions under current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are inadequate to achieve Paris Agreement long-term goals of limiting global temperature rise well below 2 degrees °C above pre-industrial levels; and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 °C. The Paris Agreement calls upon countries to review their NDCs every five years and raise mitigation and adaptation ambitions to help put the world on track to achieve neutrality by 20250. In response to the SG’s call for raising level of ambition in 2020, UNDP launched a global initiative known as Climate Promise to support 100 countries scale up climate action under the Paris Agreement.

Iraq is among the seven Climate Promise countries in the Arab region with UNDP financial and technical support to help enhance NDC and raise adaptation and mitigation ambition on the road to COP26 in Glasgow.  Iraq is a middle-income country with an economy dominated by oil export. Iraq also stands as one of the most climate hotspots and environmentally vulnerable with decades of protracted conflict, fragility, and dramatic escalation of displacement. Recent years have seen an increase in temperatures above 55 degree Celsius in parts of Iraq, and more intense and frequent drought spells, a decrease in the precipitation level by 50 percent, and higher evaporation rates. The recent waves of drought have triggered an increasing trend of rural displacement, and socio-ecological vulnerability. The reduction of water flow of Tigris River, and drought have accelerated land degradation and salinity of agriculture lands while also disrupted the ecosystems of Mesopotamian Marshlands which led to loss of livelihoods, expansion of poverty and social vulnerability.

Iraq is a signatory to the Paris Agreement on climate change, with national climate plans defined in its first Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 2015), which reflects the country's commitment to address vulnerability to climate risks while taking proactive actions to ensure gradual transition to a low-carbon economy. The first Iraq’s NDC includes BAU and Mitigation Scenarios with 14% GHG reduction target in 2035 including 1% non-conditional and 13% conditional. Sustainable energy actions including renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy access are among the major actions proposed under Iraq’s NDC to achieve commitments under Paris Agreement. The NDC also outlined a set of adaptation actions to help build resilience of the water and agricultural sectors. Despite the emerging developments of COVID-19, Iraq demonstrated firm commitment and momentum to move NDC revision process forward with first NDC inception workshop convened digitally in April 16, 2020. This study also shows momentum by Government of Iraq to proceed with NDC revision despite the challenging situation.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will carry out review and analysis of the various mitigation initiatives implemented by the Government of Iraq with focus on the transition to combined gas cycle. This includes the following tasks:

  • Proposes a detailed methodology and a work plan for the conduct of the consultation
  • Propose tools for collecting and analyzing data/information relevant to the study
  • Map out pipelined and already implemented Government actions which contribute to achieve the NDC
  • Identify the most cost-effective actions by the Government which can help raise the NDC mitigation ambition
  • Define the social, economic and environmental co-benefits which Government can generate by raising the NDC mitigation ambition
  • Assess progress made by Government of Iraq to achieve NDC mitigation targets including through the transition to combined gas cycle along with other mitigation

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates commitment to the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the mission, vision and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly and with impartiality.

Functional Competencies:

  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines;
  • Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Self-reliant and able to work as a part of a multi-cultural team in a stressful.

Professionalism:

  • Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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.

Communication:

  • Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning and Organizing:

  • Identifies priority activities and assignments; 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.

Client Orientation:

  • Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Meets time line for delivery of product or services to client.

Teamwork:

  • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Builds consensus for task purpose and direction with team members; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.

Technological awareness:

  • Keeps abreast of available technology; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree in climate change, environmental science, or equivalent disciplines.

Work Experience

  • At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in climate change mitigation or related experience.
  • Working knowledge supporting implementation of climate polices in oil producing economies is an added value
  • In-depth knowledge of global climate policy process including Paris Agreement on climate change
  • Related experience in the Arab region and Iraq will be an added asset

Language:

  • Fluency in English languages both written and oral.

Application Procedure

The application should contain the following:

  • A technical proposal with a brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
  • The technical proposal should also contain personal CV , indicating education background/professional qualifications, all experience, furthermore, providing duly filled the form of  Letter of Confirming Interest and Availability whereby includes financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per deliverables mentioned in this TOR, in addition to  the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references.