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: GCF Concept Note Writer – Climate Resilient Infrastructure (Enhancing Direct Access to Climate Finance in Fiji – Phase 2)
• Duty Station: Suva, Fiji (remote working acceptable)
• Contract Duration: 11^th March 2024 – 10^th June 2024
• Consultant Level: Level 5
• Total Fees: USD 35,000

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a financing mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is specifically established to provide financial support so that countries like Fiji can reach their greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The GCF can provide (financial) support so Fiji by channelling funds to green projects and programs. Such projects can be designed and submitted to the GCF through domestic and international accredited entities and the private sector.

GGGI is assisting to the Government of Fiji and key institutions such as Climate Change Division – Office of the Prime Minister (National Designated Authority) and Fiji Development Bank (Direct access Accredited Entity) through GCF Readiness support and capacity development.

Fiji has made progress in the past years to achieve the adaptation and mitigation goals through developing relevant strategies and development plansand accessing GCF financing. Fiji Development Bank (FDB)’s first GCF project as a direct access entity has been approved and a Country Programme by the Climate Change Division/National Designated Authority (NDA) has been completed. Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development & Statistics (MoF) submitted its application to become an accredited entity to the GCF.

However, gaps remain in building capacity of the NDA to be able to provide a fully inclusive, equitable and transparent interface with stakeholders, project developers and accredited entities and build successful pipeline and capacity to submit projects. This Project therefore aims to further support the NDA, MoF and FDB to strengthen their capacities for stakeholder engagement, project identification, design, development, monitoring and evaluation and prepare and submit concept notes and Project Preparation Facility applications to the GCF. Specifically, the solutions that the project aims to address are:

1. Ensure that the NDA staff are trained and the policies, procedures and stakeholder mechanism necessary to fulfil the NDA’s role in an inclusive, equitable and transparent manner are fully operational, including a strong engagement with sub-national institutions and organizations and the private sector;
2. Support MoF to submit its Stage 2 application for accreditation to the GCF and respond to and fulfil requirements which are identified and strengthen MoF capacity through capacity building, operationalization of policies, the establishment of SOPs and prepare for submission of projects to the GCF;
3. Institutional and capacity building support to the FDB, including training to staff and development of new procedures to enable FDB to move towards accreditation upgrade application;
4. Development of a project pipeline by prioritization of projects, development concept notes and completion of pre-feasibility studies and PPF applications for both MoF and FDB.

The Project aims to achieve the following outcomes.

• Outcome 1.1: Country NDAs or focal points and the network/systems that enable them to fulfill their roles, responsibilities and policy requirements are operational and effective
• Outcome 1.2: Direct access applicants and accredited entities have established the capacity to meet and maintain the GCF’s accreditation standards; and accredited DAEs have the capacity to develop a pipeline of projects and effectively implement GCF-funded activities
• Outcome 1.3: Relevant country stakeholders have established adequate capacity, systems and networks to support the planning, programming and implementation of GCF-funded activities
• Outcome 2.1: GCF recipient countries have developed Country Programmes to guide GCF investment and programming of readiness support resources
• Outcome 2.4: Strategies for transforming and attracting private sector investment for low emissions and resilience developed and being used
• Outcome 4.3: An increase in the number of quality project concept notes developed and submitted that target SIDs, LDCs and African states
• Outcome 4.5: An increase in the proportion of PPF requests and funding proposals approved as a result of Readiness and Preparatory Support

The direct beneficiaries of the project are NDA, MoF, FDB, sub-national stakeholders, potential executing entities and key private sector stakeholders.

The assignment will focus on Outcome 4.3 – an increase in the number of quality project concept notes developed and submitted that target SIDs, LDCs and African states. In particular, the Consultant will develop a GCF project concept note focusing on Climate Smart Agriculture in Fiji. The concept note requires interlinking the project idea to achieve large-scale impact and address existing barriers in CSA in the country with the ultimate goal of aligning with the national strategies/policies and meeting the GCF funding criteria and requirements.

GGGI plans to procure the services of a Consultant with extensive experience in the areas of concept note/proposal development, Climate Resilient Infrastructure, and stakeholder engagement. The Consultant shall develop/update the concept note for a Climate Resilient Infrastructure project in Fiji and validate the project idea(s), to be submitted to the Green Climate Fund. As part of the readiness project a concept note is being developed for climate resilient infrastructure in the health, education and housing sectors.

The Consultant shall work closely with GGGI and other stakeholders including the country NDA, DAE, other line ministries and private sector. The Consultant shall contribute to the project objective of supporting and increasing the number of quality concept notes for Fiji which are quality of robust, evidence-based and de-risked.

Reporting to the GGGI Regional Adaptation Lead and in close collaboration with relevant project stakeholders and GGGI programmatic specialist(s), the Consultant will be responsible for the following activities:

• Conduct a review of existing gaps and challenges, needs, and requirements related to the Climate Resilient Infrastructure project in Fiji
• Develop a high-quality concept note for Climate Resilient Infrastructure project in accordance with the GCF template and requirements
• Prepare presentations about the project concept note developed and a gap analysis on elements needed for a full proposal

*A pre-feasibility study on Climate Resilient Infrastructure projects will be provided to the Consultant to contribute to the delivery of the assignment.

The Consultant shall review all available development strategies and plans related to Climate Resilient Infrastructure and identify gaps and challenges, needs and requirements for Climate Resilient Infrastructure projects in Fiji.

The Consultant shall develop a concept note for Climate Resilient Infrastructure projects in Fiji. The CN should, at a minimum, have the following qualities:

• High-quality content with all elements of CN incorporated in accordance with the GCF criteria and requirements including context/baseline project description, expected project results aligned with the GCF investment criteria, engagement with NDA and other relevant stakeholders, indicative financing/cost information, exit strategy and other required/optional^[1] supporting documents;
• Sound climate rationale with relevant and appropriate country/government contexts;
• High-quality of project log frame with well-defined indicators, targets, outcomes and outputs
• Sound arguments and rationale that demonstrate project alignment with the GCF investment criteria
• Appropriate implementation arrangement
• Initial risks analysis and risk mitigation measures for the project concept note
• The Consultant shall prepare high-quality presentations about the project concept note according to the GGGI/GCF format and requirements.

Finally, the Consultant will develop and maintain active coordination with GGGI, NDA, DAE, relevant line ministries, project stakeholders and other relevant actors.

Covering the above-mentioned, the expected outputs of the Consultant shall be:

1. Output 1 – Draft GCF concept note on Climate Resilient Infrastructure
2. Output 2 – Final GCF concept note on Climate Resilient Infrastructure
3. Output 3 – PowerPoint presentation on Climate Resilient Infrastructure project including gap analysis for TA support

All reports and outputs must be in English, in accordance with GGGI’s formatting requirements, and submitted in electronic formats and hard copy (where relevant and upon request) along with research materials, and meeting notes.

The Consultant shall directly report to and coordinate day-to-day activities with the GGGI project team. The Consultant’s work progress will be monitored primarily through periodic review meetings, the precise schedule of which is to be determined based on consultation with the Consultant and GGGI. The Consultant will have extensive communication with the NDA and DAE focal points and GGGI project team.

The Consultant shall also periodically produce, upon GGGI’s request, a formal progress report that includes an overview of the project, a narrative description of project activities, detailed information on project objectives and milestones, actual achievements made against the timeline set, challenges and mitigation measurements, etc.

The work is expected to be carried out in close collaboration with key stakeholders, primarily: focal points from NDA (Climate Change Division – the Prime Minister’s Office) and DAE (Fiji Development Bank), relevant line ministries related to the sector highlighted in the concept note, GGGI project team and potential private sector stakeholders and financing institutions.

Upon selection of the Consultant for this assignment, GGGI shall share the pre-feasibility studies on Climate Resilient Infrastructure projects upon available.

The Consultant shall be responsible for designing the methodology to meet the objectives of the project with feedback and input from the GGGI team.

The Consultant should have the following qualifications:

• University degree (master’s or higher degree preferred) in environmental studies, development studies, infrastructure engineering and other relevant fields;
• At least 8 years of direct experience in relevant assignments;
• Track record in developing concept note/proposals for climate projects financing to donors, preferably to the Green Climate Fund (GCF);
• Demonstrated experience in the design and development of climate change mitigation and adaptation projects for donor financing, preferably in the thematic areas covered in this assignment;
• Solid understanding of the GCF and its investment criteria and familiarity with the policies and procedures of international financing institutions and/or development finance institutions;
• Extensive experience and track record in the engagement of government and private sector stakeholders on climate change or environmental project development/implementation;
• Solid English writing and reporting skills and abilities;
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and motivational skills and sensitivity to the local environment as well as the ability to work with minimal supervision.

Documents to be submitted:

• Proposal defining the methodology, work plan, budget and at least two references (up to no more than 2 pages);
• Cover letter highlighting relevant experience, and confirming availability to complete deliverables by the required deadline (maximum 1 page);
• CV highlighting relevant qualifications and experience;
• 2 samples of the applicant’s previously completed similar written work.

Selection method/process:

• GGGI evaluates applications based on eligibility requirements, relevance of academic study, work experience and the level of interest and motivation to contribute to GGGI’s goals and mission.
• If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to participate in a competency-based interview.

Date to close is 3^rd March 2024, 11:59pm Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered Application. Cover Letter, and CV must be sent in English. A consortium, or a firm may not be engaged for the individual consultant assignment.