Carbon Finance Specialist

Result of Service Carbon Finance – Transition Credits • Analyze carbon pricing instruments and/or frameworks in the region and of selected member States • Analyze and scope existing carbon credits standards, transition credit templates, and related transaction templates • Recommend different approaches to coal-plant decommissioning and early retirement with a focus on carbon credits and transition credits and their related methodologies and standards. • Advise on a country’s options to decommission coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) taking into account important parameters from both the supply and demand sides such as but not limited to principal protection, stability and attractiveness of returns, demand from buyer groups, alignment with NDCs, integrity and criteria for the credits, and just energy transition considerations • Advise on the development of criteria and frameworks for CFPP decommissioning in the context of carbon credits and transition credits. • Advise on the quantification of emissions reductions from CFPP decommissioning and early retirement, and tracking, transparency and validation practices necessary for transition credits • As part of ESCAP’s mechanism, develop a set of recommendations, roadmap and/or policy plan for member States to utilize carbon credits and/or transition credits for their coal fleet. • Develop strategies that will enhance member States’ ability to strengthen their policy, legal and regulatory frameworks to enable them to utilize carbon credits and transition credits • Draft practical templates for a transition-credit methodology (baseline rules, additionality tests, replacement clause, crediting schedule, verification framework) tailored to one specific country/plant • Produce a stepwise financial model outline (capital stack, expected flows, sensitivity to credit price) for an ETM or credit-backed buyout for one plant — using conservative assumptions drawn from ESCAP and the Cirebon pilot. • Create a checklist & timeline for government negotiators to prepare (data they must collect, legal issues to resolve in PPAs, which ministries to engage, how to approach MDBs/buyers). • Develop training or guidance materials for member States on carbon credits and transition credits • Develop content for capacity building products such as briefers, presentations, and guides. • Contribute to and participate in capacity building activities targeted at increasing the knowledge and capabilities of member States on Carbon Credits and Transition Credits Carbon Finance – Design, framework, and planning Analysis • Analyze carbon markets in the Asia and the Pacific such as those in China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, including public-private engagement in voluntary carbon markets, and how this can be applied regionally or to different national contexts in the region. • Analyze Article 6 coordination with national public policies, innovative measures and blockchain in carbon markets, and other • Assess carbon finance flows in identified regions, sub-regions, and countries • Scope carbon finance opportunities, standards and methodologies of relevance to energy transition financing and the national energy transition strategies of selected countries • Analyze Article 6 negotiations and developments, and their implications for the carbon finance opportunities for energy transition financing in the region • Draft regional carbon finance policy frameworks and/or recommendations based on regional best-practices and geared towards supporting member States and the region to align and abide by COP and UNFCCC outcomes. This may be an input into or mature as a diagnostic report on carbon finance. • Draft a short Article 6 readiness checklist (institutional, legal, registry, corresponding adjustment steps) tailored to Asia-Pacific Emerging Markets and Developing Economies. • Draft a 3-step pilot plan for a blended ETM + transition-credit experiment (transaction structure, buyer engagement plan, MRV/registry setup). Capacity building • Advise on how to increase the capacity of member States on carbon finance utilizing the analysis and body of evidence generated by the team • Advise on the planning and strategizing for a carbon finance policy labs, regional knowledge exchanges, and/or study tours that will promote carbon markets and carbon finance in the region • Advise on strategy and programmes that will enhance ESCAP’s ability to support member States on carbon finance including relevant partnerships and engagements • Develop training or guidance materials for member States on and pursuing carbon markets or carbon finance options • Facilitate energy transition financing access for developing countries, including frameworks on the development of readiness and project pipelines related to the implementation of carbon finance projects; • Develop strategies that will enhance member States’ ability to strengthen their policy, legal and regulatory frameworks to maximize carbon finance opportunities • Develop content for capacity building products such as briefers, presentations, and guides. • Advise on the development and implementation of capacity building initiatives on Carbon Finance Carbon Market – Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification • Analyze regional Emission Trading Schemes (ETS), the compatibility of Compliance and Voluntary ETS for member states and provide and overall review of standards and methodologies in carbon markets of selection regions, sub-regions, and countries. • Analyze and develop compatible methodologies for carbon finance in priority areas of member States in conjunction with Article 6; • Develop a scoping of different MRV methodologies of the region and/or selected member States, their complementarity with one another and with existing public data and/or local information systems • Analyze existing and ideal technologies for MRV systems across the region and/or selected member States and recommend ways the region or certain member States can improve accuracy and/or efficiency • Recommend ways member States can implement MRV methodologies and technologies either through capacity building activities or analyses such as reports and briefers • Develop strategies that will enhance member States’ ability to strengthen their policy, legal and regulatory frameworks to enable their carbon markets • Develop an ETS compatibility assessment template which includes a country checklist, legal clauses, and registry specifications. • Develop a tailored MRV technology roadmap for countries in the region categorized based on country maturity. This should include procurement specs for CEMS, satellite subscriptions and API templates. • Develop presentation materials and executive briefs on Article 6 readiness checklist tailored to Asia-Pacific Emerging Markets and Developing Economies. • Develop content for capacity building products such as briefers, presentations, and guides. Evaluation Criteria: • Timeliness and punctuality of submissions; • Demonstrated expertise in carbon finance, carbon markets, Article 6 mechanisms, ETS design, and energy transition financing; • Effectiveness of stakeholder engagement and capacity-building; • Quality of recommendations and practical applicability of proposed solutions; • Responsiveness to feedback and ability to incorporate comments from ESCAP and relevant stakeholders. Work Location Home based or On-site Expected duration Expected hiring from August 2026-December 2028 Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is implementing the multi-year programme Energy Transition for Green Growth and Prosperity (ETGGP) to support member States in accelerating energy transitions through strengthened policies, institutional capacities, and financing mechanisms. As part of the programme's Green Finance for the Energy Transition pillar, ESCAP is expanding its work on carbon finance and carbon markets to help countries mobilize investment, strengthen enabling frameworks, and access innovative financing solutions that support decarbonization and sustainable development. To support this work, ESCAP is establishing a roster of consultants with expertise in carbon finance, carbon markets, and energy transition financing. Consultants may be engaged to provide technical, analytical, and advisory support across a range of assignments, including carbon finance and transition credits, carbon finance policy and planning, and carbon market systems and monitoring frameworks. Assignments may include research and analysis, policy and regulatory advice, development of technical guidance and tools, stakeholder engagement, and support for capacity-building activities across Asia and the Pacific. Purpose The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusive intergovernmental platform in Asia and the Pacific. Responding to the demand emanating from the region, ESCAP is strengthening its work on carbon finance. This area of work will provide targeted, demand-driven support to countries through a comprehensive set of measures. These include harnessing carbon finance to deliver clean energy financing, including mobilizing private capital, more robust investment solutions, enhanced integrated policy and regulatory frameworks, better secured supply of critical raw materials, and support to the early retirement of coal fired power plants. By forging regional cooperation, convening key stakeholders, building partnerships, and providing evidence-based research on carbon finance, ESCAP aims to address the complex challenges of ensuring a climate-safe, energy-secure, and equitable future. Financing and investment solutions for multiple aspects of the energy transition including decommissioning of fossil fuel infrastructure are needed, as are tailored approaches to a just energy transition specific to each country. The carbon finance approach of ESCAP will therefore be multifaceted. It shall tackle technical components such as carbon pricing, emission trading schemes (ETS), and monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) but also consider regulatory and coordination issues of each government. A careful calibration to country contexts, convening and consensus-building amongst line ministries, and intelligent and flexible implementation plans through effective partnerships are required. Objective. The role of the carbon finance specialists will be multi-pronged given the many different national contexts and varying progress of carbon market advancements in the region. Under the oversight of Chief of the Financing for Development Section, the carbon finance specialists will have four overarching mandates which govern their specific responsibilities and tasks • Provide expert input in regular meetings of the Financing for Development Section, ESCAP energy transition teams, and project teams, ensuring carbon finance perspectives are integrated into policy dialogues, program design, and decision-making processes. • Conduct desk research and stakeholder consultations and integrate the experience to be learned from institutional mechanism to prepare agreed upon analyses, briefers, and/or reports, that support evidence-based decision-making on carbon markets and climate finance mechanisms. • Advise governments in the design and implementation of carbon finance strategies, including readiness for Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, carbon pricing instruments, and market-based approaches; design and deliver targeted capacity-building programs for officials and institutions at international, regional, national, and subnational levels. • Represent ESCAP in meetings with other development partners and stakeholders, ensuring effective coordination, alignment of initiatives, and mobilization of resources to advance carbon market development and financing for energy transition in the region. Qualifications/special skills • Advanced university degree (Master's degree or higher) in economics, finance, public policy, environmental economics, climate change, energy policy, sustainable development, engineering, law, or a related discipline. A PhD in a relevant field is desirable. • A minimum of 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in carbon finance, carbon markets, climate finance, sustainable finance, energy transition, environmental policy, or related fields. • Demonstrated expertise in carbon pricing instruments, emissions trading systems (ETS), carbon crediting mechanisms, Article 6 implementation, and carbon market governance. • Experience in developing policy recommendations, analytical reports, financing frameworks, or capacity-building programmes related to climate and energy transition. • Experience working with governments, development partners, financial institutions, or international organizations on carbon market and climate finance initiatives. • Familiarity with carbon market developments in Asia and the Pacific is highly desirable. Previous experience working with the United Nations system or other international organizations is an asset. Other skills and competencies: • Excellent analytical, research, drafting, and report-writing skills. • Strong understanding of carbon markets, carbon pricing mechanisms, climate finance instruments, and energy transition financing. • Ability to synthesize complex technical issues into practical policy recommendations. • Strong stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and communication skills. • Ability to work independently and manage multiple assignments under tight deadlines. • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and presentation software. Languages • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required. • Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable. Additional Information This announcement is being issued for the purpose of establishing a roster of qualified consultants to advise ESCAP's multi-year programme on energy transition financing in Asia and the Pacific, specifically on particular topics such as carbon finance, carbon markets, and MRV systems. Individuals included in the roster may be contacted for future assignments as project needs arise. Assignments may vary in scope, duration, thematic focus, and geographical coverage depending on programme requirements and funding availability. At the time of this announcement, specific consultancy assignments, contract duration, duty stations, travel requirements, and remuneration levels have not yet been determined and will be established separately for each assignment. Inclusion in the roster does not constitute an offer of employment, engagement, or contract, nor does it guarantee that an individual will be selected for future assignments. Candidates successfully assessed and included in the roster may be contacted for future consultancy opportunities with functions and responsibilities similar to those described in this notice. Placement on the roster does not guarantee future engagement. ESCAP is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment and strongly encourages applications from qualified candidates of all nationalities, genders, and backgrounds. Selection decisions will be based on qualifications, expertise, experience, and the specific requirements of each assignment. No Fee