Specialist - Mitigation and Abatement Analysis

Guyana is extremely low lying and vulnerable to sea level rise. With approximately 90% of the population located within the coastal plain of Guyana, sea level rise could have devastating impacts, affecting human settlements and economic activities. Guyana is home to many rivers and other water courses and sea level rise will also affect the salinity of these rivers and discharge rates into the Atlantic Ocean. Guyana is also very susceptible to extreme climatic events. In January and February 2005 Guyana experienced an extreme climatic rainfall event which caused significant flooding and considerable damage to all aspects of the economy of Guyana. In response to these threats, adaptation to climate change in Guyana is critical and improving the overall capacity to respond to extreme climatic weather events, is a priority.
On July 10, 2007, the Ministry of Agriculture on behalf of the Government of Guyana and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an agreement for the climate change enabling activity project called “Enabling Activity for the Preparation of Guyana’s Second National Communication (SNC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)”. Guyana is a non-annex I and II party to the UNFCCC and is required to submit national communications on steps being taken to implement the convention. To date, Guyana has submitted its Initial National
Communication (INC) in 2002 and is among many developing countries that have received funding from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) to prepare their SNC. The finalised document will be submitted to the Secretariat of the UNFCCC.  In accordance with Articles 4.1 and 12.1 of the Convention, parties commit to develop national programmes and where appropriate regional programmes and measures that will result in the mitigation of human induced climate change. This can provide ancillary benefits for sustainable development in terms of reducing pollution; improving
technological efficiency and prioritization of social, economic and environmental programmes. The mitigation analysis component aims to have an abatement analysis and document initiatives which are already underway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It will involve strong collaboration with the local energy, utility and forestry sectors and
regional institutions. The analysis will also draw upon the other relevant studies/assessments being done in the SNC project.

The M&AA specialist shall coordinate the overall mitigation analysis and is responsible for drafting this chapter of the Second National Communication. The SNC shall draw upon Regional capacities such as Caribbean Renewable Energy
Development Programme (CREDP) and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC).
He/She shall perform the following functions including but not limited to:

• Develop the scope of work and work plan with detailed schedule of deliverables and methodology for this component of the project within the first week of commencement of this consultancy;
• Lead and implement the mitigation analysis;
• Submit periodic Progress Reports to the National Climate Unit through the Project Coordinator;
• Incorporate comments receive in the review process;
• Ensure synergy with key agencies and existing relevant initiatives;
• Oversee the documentation of all analyses undertaken;
• Plan workshops/ training in collaboration with the Project Coordinator;
• Conduct/facilitate all workshops and training executed under this component;
• Advise on any adjustments if needed, both at the organizational and technical levels, for the successful implementation of the mitigation analysis;
• Prepare the M & AA reports of the SNC;
• Present draft report on this chapter of the SNC at final workshop;
• Compile a bibliography of all data and information sources;

SPECIFIC TASKS
The scope of the analysis shall be guided by the SNC project document and/or the specific activities the expert is assigned to. The mitigation specialist will be responsible for ensuring that the following set of specific activities is carried out.

• Conduct a detail review of the implementation of mitigation programmes,including renewable energy initiatives/projects in Guyana. The review should include the impact of mitigation strategies in national development and identify
  gaps and constraints.
• Recommend & source appropriate software programmes for developing mitigation scenarios and modeling;
• Conduct a training workshop for key stakeholders on specific computer programmes including but not limited to LEAP;
• Develop scenarios and models for, including but not limited to, the energy and forestry sectors;
• Analyse GHG emission trend and conduct an abatement analysis in collaboration with the GHG- Inventory expert. This analysis shall utilize data/information from the GHG-Inventory, past and current.
• Conduct a macro-economic assessment of mitigation options including but not limited to renewable energy technology;
• Identify appropriate mitigation technologies; programmes and policies;
• Identify suitable projects for mitigation and develop project concepts with indicative costs and source of financing.
• Develop prioritization matrix for the implementation of mitigation programmes and projects.
• Develop a framework for mitigation.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS

• Staff from key institutions trained in basic mitigation analysis techniques;
• A detail assessment report of mitigation options and the competitiveness of mitigation technologies and programmes;
• Identification of appropriate mitigation technologies, programmes and policies;
• Project concepts for mitigation;
• National Framework for mitigation;
• Detailed chapter on mitigation analysis of the SNC.

• The MA specialist should be very knowledgeable and with hands-on experiences on mitigation assessment and technologies.
• He/She should also have a solid understanding of the institutional arrangements and resources required to carry out the MA work.

Academic Requirements

• The candidate should have at least a Masters Degree in Environmental Sciences/Environmental Management/Natural Resources Management or a related field and at least eight years experience in the area relevant to Climate Change and this consultancy.

Experience

• Good understanding of climate change and sustainable development issues in the Region.
• Demonstrable knowledge of UNFCCC MA analysis methodologies, guidelines and tools (e.g., LEAP and other appropriate programmes).
• Proven expertise in developing mitigation scenarios and modeling using the topdown and bottom-up tools.
• Strong and proven ability to conduct macro-economic analysis of various mitigation options.
• Extensive knowledge of mitigation technology and options resources and initiatives in the region.
• Previous experience in preparation of technical reviews, national reports and national and international documentation.
• Knowledge of the United Nations Framework Convention to Climate Change (UNFCCC) and involvement in the preparation of the National Communications to the UNFCCC.
• Experience in working with multi-stakeholder groups including, government and non-governmental organizations and indigenous groups, is also desirable.
• Extensive experience in technical report writing and presentation.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, in English