Project Associate in Regulatory Reform and Harmonization of Planning Instruments
Qualifications of Project Associate:
- Location: Mexico
- Vacancy No: 28625
- Salary: N/A
- Organization: UNDP United Nations Development Programme
- Deadline: 8/26/2025
Brief details about Project Associate:
About
Information about the organization that has offered the job:
The Paris Agreement on climate change entered into force in 2016. All Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that have ratified the Agreement have inscribed Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which outline the mitigation and adaptation targets they commit to achieve in order to contribute to meeting these goals as soon as possible.
In this regard, through the Climate Promise Initiative, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports countries in assessing their national progress toward the Paris Agreement goals and identifying needs and areas of opportunity for the next NDC review process. This includes mitigation processes in this area, such as the Emissions Trading System (ETS).
At the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP29), Mexico announced the need to update its NDC in 2025, reflecting its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by mid-century, as well as strengthening adaptation measures and including a component to address loss and damage associated with the impacts of climate change.
In particular, the emissions trading system represents a market-based and environmental instrument, where the private sector drives transformation processes toward decarbonization in Mexico. The mitigation area of the General Directorate of Climate Action Policies (DGPAC) requires technical assistance to implement trigger exercises toward the implementation of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) in Mexico. This is intended to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated in the regulated energy and industrial sectors, in compliance with the NDC, as part of the Federal Government’s climate change mitigation policy priorities.
Scope of Work:
- Contribute to the creation of a transparent information repository: maintain the National Inventory of Greenhouse Gas and Compound Emissions (INEGYCEI) and mitigation databases organized and up-to-date, so that the information is accessible and traceable; ensure that the databases are consistent in their inputs, processes, results, and units to facilitate information analysis; and maintain the mitigation catalog updated and organized for each sector.
- Collaboration in the coordination of working groups: provide timely follow-up to all meetings and coordinate the different working groups, ensuring a constant flow of information and preparing information requests within the working group, as well as to relevant institutions, to keep the required information up-to-date.
- Support for INECC-SEMARNAT communications: Collaborate in the implementation of communication channels between the INECC and SEMARNAT teams, ensuring that both have the same information and relevant updates quickly and continuously.
- Support for the generation and approval of databases: Under the direction of INECC, the specialist must support the generation and approval of databases, in order to guarantee the processing, storage, and accessibility of data.
- Generating technical input and supporting NDC formulation: preparing reports, presentations, charts, and other materials that reflect progress, challenges, and proposals related to updating the NDC and the proposed mitigation measures; developing technical materials to promote the harmonization of climate change mitigation information across agencies; collaborating in the formulation of key elements for the integration of NDC 3.0.
- Collaboration in other functions inherent to the functional profile: carrying out all those activities necessary to guarantee the efficient functioning of the Office and the institution.
Institutional Agreement:
This position will be part of the mitigation area of the General Directorate of Climate Action Policies of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, which is responsible for the design and operation of the emissions trading system.
This position will be supervised by the Mitigation and Adaptation Action Specialist for Mexico’s third NDC update, the project coordinator, and the National Officer for the UNDP Environment, Energy, and Resilience Program in Mexico.
Essential Competencies:
Getting Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and supervises own work, pays attention to detail, delivers quality work within the established deadline.
Thinking Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic in problem solving, makes improvements.
Continuous Learning: LEVEL 1: Open and curious mind, share knowledge, learn from mistakes, ask for feedback.
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to changes, constructively manages ambiguity and uncertainty, and is flexible.
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to act calmly in the face of adversity, self-confident.
Participate and Associate: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding toward others, establishes positive relationships.
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, be aware of unconscious biases, confront discrimination.
Minimum Academic Requirements:
- High school education (high school certificate)
- University studies (bachelor’s level) in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Political Sciences, Public Policy or related areas.
Minimum Years of Relevant Experience:
- Minimum of 6 years (with a high school diploma) or 3 years of experience (with a bachelor’s degree) in database management and coordination of interdisciplinary work groups in environmental areas, preferably in the areas of climate change and sustainable development.
Required Skills:
- Experience in the development of projects, planning and programmatic instruments.
- Experience in linking diverse actors.
- Experience in preparing technical reports
- Experience in database management and information systematization.
- Advanced English.
Desired Skills:
- Experience in legislative and political lobbying for laws, rules, and regulations, particularly those related to environmental or sustainable development issues.
- Experience in the design and implementation of regulatory reforms, especially in relation to climate change.
- Experience conducting technical diagnoses and developing regulatory and programmatic solutions, with concrete proposals for integration into the NDC.
- Experience in the formulation, execution, and monitoring of sectoral programs, special programs, and budget programs in Mexico.
- Experience in the United Nations System or International Organizations.