Senior Economic Advisor

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Job Description

Background

The Government of Armenia, specifically the Ministry of Economy, is planning to engage partners to identify and prioritize project needs emanating from the objectives of the Green and Sustainable Economic Development agenda.

The Ministry of Economy has developed Armenia’s Green and Sustainable Economic Development Strategy and its Roadmap, whose main directions are clearly defined in the Government’s 2021-2026 Action Plan. The Government defines the transformation of the economy in accordance with the reality of low-carbon energy and the provision of the prerequisites for the long-term preservation of natural resources in the economic cycle as important preconditions for sustainable development.
The Government is taking action to increase the share of renewable energy to 50 percent of the total energy mix by 2030. Another key target is to increase the share of electric vehicles to 10 percent in the overall fleet. Measures will be taken to prioritize public and private investment and activate the implementation process. The transition towards a green economy will also create a number of new opportunities for businesses and job-seekers and make Armenian products and services more resilient and competitive in international markets. This is a virtuous path, but it requires concerted efforts, including the introduction of targeted policies, the availability of financial products for green growth and incentive schemes, and the mobilization of appropriate labor market skills.
Through the Special Economic Advisor supported by the NDC Partnership, the Ministry of Economy will receive the support for 1 year (in line with the remaining time-period of the Government Programme for 2021-2026) in unlocking resources to support the implementation of a policy aimed at promoting the goals of the green and sustainable economic development agenda. More specifically, the Economic Advisor will support the Ministry of Economy in developing a subset of projects to access international and domestic sources of public and private finance and structuring finance for investment in these projects. The embedded Advisor will also conduct capacity-building activities for the Ministry of Economy and line ministries to ensure lasting capacity in-country through knowledge transfer.

About the NDC Partnership

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition of countries and institutions working to mobilize support and achieve ambitious climate goals while enhancing sustainable development. Through our Partnership, members leverage their resources and expertise to provide countries with the tools they need to implement their NDCs and combat climate change to build a better future. Hosted by WRI, UNOPS and the UNFCCC Secretariat, the NDC Partnership has members in all regions of the world, with staff in Washington, DC, and Bonn, Germany. UNOPS supports the NDC Partnership and its Support Unit through the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC).

Functional Responsibilities

A Senior Economic Advisor embedded in the Ministry of Economy will implement the following tasks:

Advise the Ministry of Economy in identifying, mapping and prioritizing a subset of investment projects in a programmatic approach aimed at promoting Green and Sustainable Economic Development Agenda and addressing relevant gaps in the NDC Partner Coordination Support Plan. Preliminary identified priority sectors are climate-smart agriculture, management of agrifood system, e-mobility (including transport infrastructure), renewable energy and industry, management of natural resources, addressing capacity building, policy and institutional framework development;
Work plan agreed with the government and a short inception report summarizing the status of the government’s ongoing and planned measures for the implementation of the Green and Sustainable Economic Development Agenda and addressing relevant gaps in the NDC Partner Coordination Support Plan
Develop and package concept notes (the number of notes will be defined at the mapping phase), including support in navigating the range of financing sources, engaging stakeholders to fulfill funding proposal requirements, and assessing financial instruments to structure investments;
Perform financial, economic, and regulatory analysis throughout project concept and design stages in collaboration with the country teams and government counterparts, including designing and recommending suitable financial structures;
Based on developed concept notes, conduct (pre)feasibility assessments of 2 green investment projects/programs, engaging all relevant stakeholders (selection of 2 projects for (pre) feasibility assessment will be coordinated by the leadership of the Ministry of Economy in liaison with the government counterparts);
Coordinate between line ministries and implementing/development partners to accelerate projects through the investment pipeline;
Where possible, pursue opportunities to finance projects through domestic resources as a means of enhancing country ownership;
Develop a concept note for Armenia to establish institutional and technical measures for the implementation of carbon accounting in the private sector;
Upon request from the Ministry of Economy, draft guidelines for the private sector to understand climate obligations deriving from the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM);
Provide feedback and recommendations on governmental strategies and concept papers regarding green economy, renewable energy, agrifood systems, climate-smart agriculture, climate change, and related sectors;
Upon request of the Ministry of Economy, participate in conferences, workshops, meetings, official events, and negotiation processes;
Design and deliver mentorship programme for the Ministry of Economy, and line ministries and other in-country stakeholders (2 groups of mentees) to ensure knowledge transfer to local staff;
Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by the Ministry of Economy and the NDC Partnership Support Unit.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

Master Degree preferably in environmental economics, environmental management, development economics and/or finance, or related fields is required.
Bachelor’s degree in related discipline in combination with an additional 2 years (7 total) of relevant work experience is required.

Experience

Required

5 years of experience in national or international public, or private sector institutions with a special focus on coordination and articulation of different actors, preparation and implementation of multi-stakeholder work plans, resource mobilization, preparation of proposals for climate actions, crisis response and recovery, project management, monitoring and evaluation
Experience and knowledge of green and sustainable economic strategies and policies.

Assets

In-depth knowledge of the national plans, strategies and policies related to climate change in the country
3 years of international experience (link to qualifications relevant to financing mechanisms, dealing with bilateral and multilateral financing institutions) is an asset
Experience and relevant skills in the use of the Office suite (e.g. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint), virtual communication tools (e.g. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype) and other tools and packages for project management purposes

Language