Carbon Finance Specialist

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is establishing a roster of consultants with expertise in carbon finance, carbon markets, and energy transition financing. Consultants will provide technical, analytical, and advisory support across assignments including carbon finance and transition credits, policy and planning, and carbon market systems and monitoring frameworks to support member States in accelerating energy transitions.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert input in regular meetings of the Financing for Development Section, ESCAP energy transition teams, and project teams to integrate carbon finance perspectives into policy dialogues, program design, and decision-making.
• Conduct desk research and stakeholder consultations to prepare analyses, briefers, and reports supporting 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 development partners and stakeholders to ensure effective coordination, alignment of initiatives, and mobilization of resources to advance carbon market development and financing for energy transition in the region.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required.
• Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable.

Skills

• Climate Finance
• Carbon Markets
• Sustainable Finance
• Energy Transition Finance
• Carbon Pricing Instruments
• Emissions Trading Systems
• Carbon Crediting Mechanisms
• Article 6 Implementation
• Carbon Market Governance
• Policy Development
• Analytical Reporting
• Financing Frameworks
• Capacity Building
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Research Drafting
• Report Writing
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Presentation Software

Languages

English