GCF Readiness Project Proposal - Consultant

Result of Service The overall objective of this position is to prepare a new GCF readiness proposal that entails innovative approaches in embedding sustainability into financial decisions, in coordination with UNEP, Brazil’s NDA and CVM in line with GCF’s guidelines to support UNEP’s engagement with the GCF and NDA, including the full GCF Readiness proposal. The consultant will help elaborate UNEP’s technical content and project rationale relevant to; conduct research, and analysis of evidence; monitor and keep the team aware of the latest GCF developments/guidance/procedures; support in the quality assurance function in reviews of the draft proposal.

The consultant shall perform the following activities:

• Undertake a desk review of Brazil’s context and latest international trends related to the readiness’s thematic and analyze all available data related to and required for the preparation of the expected products, using both quantitative and qualitative analytical approaches to support the arguments presented in the documents.

• Prepare a plan for the collection of additional data needed and support in collaboration with the assigned team for the proposal and in coordination with local entities for data gathering.

• Support the formulation and articulation of climate rationale for the logical framework and the theory of change for promoting SFDS, which includes paradigm shift potential, baseline investments, and additionality concepts.

• Review, advise on and addressed UNEP, NDA and GCF comments during the GCF readiness project proposal approval.

The consultant shall be available to work closely with the UNEP’s team members and to communicate via conference calls or e-mail with the group when required, for purposes of coordination, progress reporting, key issues, or changes to the schedule, among others.

OUTPUTS

1. A document of the GCF readiness logical framework

2. A revised document of the GCF readiness proposal

3. A document of the GCF readiness proposal with comments addressed

4. Document of the GCF readiness proposal ready for submission to the GCF

5. Document with a revised version of the GCF readiness proposal (GCF comments)

DELIVERABLES

Product No. 1:

A first document, which outlines the GCF readiness logical framework, previously approved by the Brazilian government.

Product No. 2:

A revised document of the GCF readiness proposal based on the approved logical framework, which includes the main document and budget excel, in accordance with the GCF readiness templates.

Product No. 3:

A document of the GCF readiness proposal, with addresses the internal comments which include the main document and the initial budget, in accordance with the GCF readiness templates.

Product No. 4:

Document of the GCF readiness proposal ready for submission to the GCF, which includes the main document and the initial budget, in accordance with the GCF readiness templates.

Product No. 5:

Document with a revised version of the GCF readiness proposal based on the GCF comments, which includes the main document, the initial budget, and the GCF review comments sheet.

Work Location Home-Based

Expected duration 12 MONTHS

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

The UNEP’s Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

It is estimated that the capital needed to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development worldwide amounts to USD 5-7 trillion a year. Given the scale of capital needed, it is of vital importance to implement market mechanisms to reflect the potential benefits of sustainable investments and attract interest from potential investors. The international community has made clear that the private sector - including financial institutions - plays a fundamental role in the realization of the 2030 Agenda and the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement in the years to come.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the world’s largest climate fund, mandated to support developing countries raise and realise their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) ambitions towards low-emissions, climate-resilient pathways. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) provides capacity building and technical assistance support to developing countries to enhance access to climate finance through the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme. The Readiness Programme is mandated by the Governing Instrument of the GCF to provide resources for strengthening institutional capacities, governance mechanisms, and planning and programming frameworks to identify and implement a transformational long-term climate action agenda for developing countries.

In this line, Brazil’s GCF Designated National Authority (NDA), the Ministry of Economy, requested the support of UNEP in the design of a new Readiness proposal, together with the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM, for its acronym in Portuguese). The project will provide recommendations for the development of Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation and building capacity within the private financial sector to meet these sustainable finance disclosure standards.

For these reasons, the Climate Change Unit of UNEP’s Latin America and the Caribbean Office is looking for a GCF Readiness proposal consultant. She/he will support the Programme Management Officer in the preparation of a new GCF readiness proposal, in coordination with UNEP, Brazil’s NDA, CVM, and other relevant stakeholders in line with GCF’s guidelines.

The incumbent will be supervised by the Programme Management Officer for Climate Finance. The consultant will work Home Based.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications:

• Postgraduate: Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Engineering, Business Administration or related discipline is required.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of professional experience related to climate finance, including renewable energy markets and/or private sustainable businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean is required.

• In-depth knowledge of and applied experience with financial institutions, small- and medium-sized enterprises is required.

• Recognized expertise in the area of green finance and dealing with available donor funding, at operational, technical and partner relationship levels is required.

• Experience designing and implementing multi-component programs and funds, particularly in MDB or other multi-lateral settings. Knowledge of relevant analytical tools and technical and administrative functions used by GCF/CTF funds and programs is preferred.

• Excellent writing abilities and both oral and written communication skills; proven ability to convey complex notions and prepare clear, concise, and relevant reports.

• Ability to work well in a multidisciplinary team environment and with no supervision, and to coordinate contributions by other members of the team towards completing integrated products.

Language:

• Fluency Spanish and English are required. Portuguese is desirable.

Skills:

• Proficiency in using Microsoft Package (Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) collaborative platforms (i.e., Teams, Google Drive) and virtual meeting platforms (i.e. Webex, Zoom, etc.) is required.

• Highly motivated, energetic, team player with excellent interpersonal skills and client service skills.

• Ability to identify and implement innovative solutions and challenge the status quo to build the business.

• Ability to build long-term engagement with clients and credibility by demonstrating knowledge of their business, sector, and culture, and maintaining an ongoing dialogue on their business needs, operations, and strategies as well as opportunities for strategically aligned business deals.

• Sound business judgment and problem solving, negotiation and commercial skills.

• Proven ability to engage with high-level officials from governments, financial institutions, and the private sector.

• Superior quantitative skills a plus, oral, and written communication skills with the ability to write for both policy and technical audiences.

• Excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both written and oral; proven ability to communicate complex concepts and prepare reports that are clear, concise and meaningful.

• Ability to carry out research activities, gather information and effectively transfer into a desired format.

• Ability to work independently, with initiative and responsibility, and establish work priorities.

  No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.