INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.

• Project: Mainstreaming Bioeconomy workstreams in GGGI regions and country programs
• Contract Duration: to December 2024
• Consultant Level: 3
• Total Fees: USD 18,000

PROJECT BACKGROUND

GGGI has a diverse portfolio of programs in developing countries around the world. Together with global products and services, these in-country programs focus on delivering results through an integrated approach of evidence-based green growth planning and implementation aligned to “countries” development priorities. The organization also focuses on knowledge development and management activities, which build a solid theoretical and empirical basis for green growth, while providing concrete options and guidance for policymakers, as well as creating the conditions for public and private green infrastructure investments.

Since 2019, the Colombian Government and GGGI have supported the development of the bioeconomy sector and the implementation of the long-term Green Growth Policy (GGP). This has been achieved via technical interventions such as the development of:

• An online Green Growth Course (including a Bioeconomy module)
• The design and development of the National Bioeconomy Strategy: “For a living and diverse Colombia Power: towards a knowledge-driven Society”
• The design, launch, and scale-up of the Bioeconomy Projects Acceleration Mechanism – MAPBIO
• The development of bioeconomy Open Innovation challenges to seek solutions through science, technology, and innovation to business and/or sectoral problems that can be addressed by biotechnology
• The set up of an interinstitutional bioeconomy taskforce that includes the ministries of Commerce, Tourism, and Industry; Science, Technology, and Innovation; and Environment and Sustainable Development.

Such experience can be summarised in the development of 3 tools: i) the Accelerator Mechanism for Bioeconomy Businesses (MAPBIO), ii) the Open Innovation Challenge, and iii) the Bioeconomy Taskforce.

It took a 5-year journey to improve the design of these three critical tools for developing Colombia’s bioeconomy sector. This learning curve represented a significant investment in research, hands-on learning, thoughtful design, and rigorous validation through practical application. Sharing this unique experience and lessons learned represents an essential chance for other countries to adapt lessons learned by the Colombia country program while saving investment in time and money in the design of bioeconomy interventions.

Bioeconomy is gaining international attention from donors, investors, and politicians. Now, it is easier to hear about the necessity of promoting bioeconomy Indigenous alternatives for Brazilian communities to maintain the Amazon Forest. GGGI can contribute to the acceleration of bioeconomy workstreams around different countries. However, there is currently no established portfolio of programs in this area, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean – LAC, the Middle East and Nort Africa – MENA, and Africa, where there is an opportunity window to develop the bioeconomy sector due to its natural capital, research capabilities, rural community engagement, and donor willingness to work in those regions.

In that context, GGGI is moving towards mainstreaming bioeconomy within other country programs and regions, recognizing it as a strategic workstream of the green growth model that provides green jobs by developing products, processes, and services based on the sustainable use of biodiversity and biomass, and therefore contributing to keep the forest standing and its ecosystem services.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

GGGI seeks to recruit an International Bioeconomy Screening Consultant to support the mainstream of the bioeconomy workstream within GGGI’s different regions and country programs.

DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

[Scope of Work]

The consultant is expected to do the following activities:

• Lean on GGGI’s Colombia bioeconomy experience, expertise, and lessons learned.
• Prioritize at least six GGGI country programs in which mainstreaming the Bioeconomy workstream would be feasible, strategic, and impactful, based on a multicriteria screening process.
• From the prioritized countries, elaborate an initial overview of existing policies, opportunities, and mechanisms for promoting the Bioeconomy.
• Propose a series of GESI-oriented programs, mechanisms, and/or tools to implement in the prioritized countries.
• Elaborate a comprehensive list of funding sources, possible partners/allies, and key stakeholders for implementing bioeconomy projects in the prioritized countries.
• Based on the GGGI Colombian experience, elaborate a roadmap of actions and mechanisms that can be replicated, adapted, and scaled principally in Africa, MENA, and LAC.

The consultant must submit the following deliverables:

1. Consultancy Workplan: The consultant must prepare a detailed workplan outlining the timeline of primary activities, methodology, milestones, validation meetings, and partial and final deliverables.

2. First screening report: Based on a multicriteria analysis, prioritize at least six GGGI country programs in which mainstreaming the Bioeconomy workstream is strategic. The multicriteria screening must consider at least the following aspects:

• • Strategic biodiverse country (biodiversity hotspot, biodiversity threats, etc)
  • High rates of residual biomass losses
  • Macro-economic status
  • Research and development ecosystem status
  • Environmental regulation and/or incentives
  • Political willingness
  • Existing biocommerce value chains

3. Bioeconomy opportunities and adaptable programs. Elaborate one document that contains at least the following information for the prioritized countries:

• • An initial overview of existing policies related to Bioeconomy
  • A set of compared opportunities for developing bioeconomy as a workstream (economical, logistical, social, environmental, reputational, financial, etc.)
  • A proposal of a series of programs, mechanisms, and/or tools to implement in the prioritized countries, based (but not limited) on the GGGI Colombian bioeconomy experience.

4. Roadmap proposal report. The consultant will elaborate a draft work plan proposal containing a detailed step-by-step process for each prioritized country on how to initiate working in the bioeconomy. This document will be a valuable input for GGGI country representatives and regional directors. The report must include at least:

• • A comprehensive list of possible funding sources, partners/allies, and key stakeholders for implementing bioeconomy projects in the prioritized countries
  • A detailed list of actions and mechanisms that can be replicated, adapted, and scaled principally in Africa, MENA, and LAC regions.
  • A proposal of activities to be carried out for each prioritized country.
  • A PowerPoint presentation highlighting the main findings of the consultancy separated by each prioritized country

Apart from the presentation mentioned above, this document will be submitted in Word (narrative) and Excel (schedule and diagrams).

[Deliverables, timeline, and payments]

[Reporting Arrangements]

The GGGI Circular Economy Special Assignee in the United Arab Emirates (prior, Circular Bioeconomy Senior Officer in Colombia) will supervise the timely and quality delivery of products outlined in the contractual objective.

The consultant’s work progress will be monitored primarily through periodic face-to-face (or virtual) review meetings, and periodicity will be previously agreed with the Contract Supervisor. In these meetings, it will be addressed, among other things, the overview of the contractual obligations, the development of activities, detailed information on achieved milestones, actual achievements made against the timeline initially set, and any other relevant progress details.

GGGI’s supervisor must approve all deliverables. All Deliverables must be completed in Spanish and English and must be completed by GGGI’s formatting requirements and submitted with proof of editable file back-up (e.g., .docx, .pptx) in the GGGI SharePoint system. Final products must be developed according to standard templates that GGGI will provide the Consultant. Where relevant, the Consultant shall also offer sets of raw data, research materials, and meeting notes related to the contractual objective.

[Suggested methodology and competence requirements]

The consultant should follow the specific methods provided by the Contract Supervisor. The consultant will make the best use of both primary and secondary sources of information to develop activities defined under the contract objective.

The consultant should demonstrate the credentials described below.

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

(1) Academic qualifications

• Advanced Degree (PhD, MSc or MA) in Economy, Engineering, Life Sciences, Bioeconomy, International development studies, Sustainable Development, Environmental Economics, or related fields is required.

(2) Experience

• Demonstrated experience writing international development reports.
• At least Five (5) years of proven experience in bioeconomy thematic areas.
• Proven track record of working with international institutions, private sector, and government institutions on knowledge creation and related activities.
• Proven track of research in policy analysis in international development and/or sustainable development is a plus.
• Outstanding communication skills both in writing and in presentation.
• Excellent analytical and synthesis skills, able to present complex issues in a simple manner and to assess multiple layers of information to arrive to the desired output.
• Fluency in Spanish and English.

• Selection method/process: Competitive selection
• Cover Letter, and CV must be sent in English.
• Date to close is Korean Standard Time (KST).
• Timeline of selection : 10 days