KIRIBATI: INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT CLIMATE FINANCE PMU SOP-NOP & SYSTEMS
JOB DETAIL
KIRIBATI: INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT CLIMATE FINANCE PMU SOP-NOP & SYSTEMS
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.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Project: International Climate Finance (PMU) Consultant – GCF Readiness 2 Project, Kiribati
- Duty Station: Tarawa, Kiribati
- Contract Duration: spread over 12 months
- Consultant Level: Level 5
- Total Fees: USD42,000 (GGGI will cover international travel costs of up to USD15,625)
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Kiribati is a founding member of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). The Government of Kiribati and GGGI have been working to address targeted needs in green growth, climate adaptation and mitigation, sustainability, low-carbon, and development. GGGI seeks to complement the Government objectives of the Kiribati National Vision 2016-2036 and works across a number of sectors in Kiribati including climate-smart agriculture, green procurement, green-preneurship, green business development, and climate finance absorption and mobilization.
The Government of Kiribati acknowledges climate change as a national priority. The Office of the President leads on climate matters through the Climate Change Division. The Climate Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED) is the national designated authority (NDA) for climate finance from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Adaptation Fund.
The NDA, in collaboration with GGGI as the Delivery Partner for this GCF Readiness project, sought Readiness funding from the GCF that aims to implement the following climate priorities to improve Kiribati’s capacity to access climate finance and successfully engage with the GCF through the project pipeline. To achieve this, the Readiness grant will focus on the following objectives:
- Build and strengthen human, technical and institutional capacity within the NDA Office and across government, private sector and civil society organisations to undertake climate mandates,
- Strengthen and ensure the effectiveness of the internal coordination and communication mechanisms across ministries and stakeholder groups to reduce duplication, improve climate planning and programming and successfully move projects through the pipeline,
- Develop and implement climate finance-related strategies and plans including no objection procedures, and the Country Programme,
- Support the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED) in strengthening its policies and procedures, including their implementation, for the GCF FMCA accreditation, ensuring a strong and viable national delivery partner.
The CFD hosts the GCF Readiness Project Management Unit (PMU). The CFD Director coordinates with GGGI as the Delivery Partner for this GCF Readiness 2 Project, as well as other key stakeholders.
This GCF Readiness 2 Project is funded by the GCF for a two-year duration ending in March 2026.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The Ministry of Finance & Economic Development (MFED), through its Climate Finance Division (CFD), is committed to enhancing its climate finance mechanisms, policies, and procedures. To achieve this, the Project Management Unit (PMU) under the CFD seeks a consultant to provide expertise in reviewing and updating existing frameworks and procedures, as well as training and mentoring CFD staff and targeted government key stakeholders.
The main objectives of the consultancy are to support the delivery of specific outputs under Kiribati’s second GCF Readiness grant:
- Review and update the National Designated Authority (NDA)’s / CFD’s procedures and processes, including the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) document (supporting delivery of Output 1.1.1),
- Develop Kiribati’s No Objection Procedures for accessing climate funds, to include processes for engaging national stakeholders in the development, review, endorsement and approval of climate funding concept notes and proposals (supporting delivery of Output 1.1.3),
- Provide training and mentoring to CFD and MFED staff on climate financing mechanisms, policies and procedures, including the No Objection Procedure (supporting delivery of both Output 1.1.1. and Output 1.1.3).
In addition to supporting the delivery of the specific outputs for the GCF Readiness grant, the consultant will also provide ad-hoc guidance and advice to CFD and the PMU on the overall implementation of readiness outputs applicable to strengthening the NDA and building national skills, knowledge and capacities.
The Consultant’s Activities:
Task 1: Review and Update NDA / CFD Procedures. (Output 1.1.1)
- Conduct a thorough review of the current NDA / CFD procedures,
- Conduct stakeholder consultations within MFED to seek views on the government processes and procedures and how the SOP could align with these,
- Revise the CFD SOP document and develop other processes as needed, to ensure they are aligned with the MFED and government and international best practices and streamlined with GCF requirements/processes, and
- Update the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to improve efficiency, key processes, clarity, efficacy and simplicity.
Task 2: Develop GCF No Objection Procedures (Output 1.1.3)
- Review the current SOP as it relates to the No Objection Procedure (NOP) for Kiribati,
- Conduct stakeholder consultations within MFED and other key stakeholders on the NOP,
- Develop detailed No Objection Procedure and guidance to streamline the approval process,
- Ensure that GCF procedures are captured in the No Objection Procedures,
- Support CFD in validating the updated NOP with key stakeholders and the NDA, and
- Ensure that the purpose of the procedures, its communication, dissemination and review steps are captured.
Task 3: Provide Training and Mentoring to CFD / MFED Staff (Outputs 1.1.1. and 1.1.3)
- Develop and deliver training sessions related to the following topics and linked to other outputs in the GCF Readiness:
- Implement a training survey to staff and stakeholders for analysis of training needs,
- NDA / CFD procedures, including the updated SOP,
- No Objection Procedure for Kiribati,
- Provide ongoing mentoring/training to CFD staff to ensure the effective implementation of the updated procedures, frameworks and other CDF processes.
DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
The consultant will be allocated 70 working days (which is spread over 12 months) to complete the assignment with engagements and consultations with the CFD and the government’s key committees/technical working groups and partners. The Consultancy is expected to commence immediately after contract signing. Other reporting requirements are also noted below. The following deliverables and work schedule is proposed:
| # | Deliverables | KPI for each deliverable | Payment | Duration |
| 1 | Deliverables under Output 1.1.1 “NDA or FP staff trained in areas relevant to the GCF objectives of the GCF and oversight of GCF activities”:
• Tailored training programme • Training reports and evaluations |
|
30% | Within 12 months of signing the contract |
| 2 | Deliverables under Output 1.1.3 “Decision making processes defined and operationalized at the NDA level for No-Objection Letters and consideration/facilitation of climate change project”:
• Kiribati No Objection Procedures • NDA / CFD Standard operating procedures • Project management and tracking system • Information management system • Training reports |
|
30% | Within 12 months of signing the contract |
| 3 | Final Report
This incorporates a summary of the Capacity Development delivered and observations on the challenges in building Kiribati’s capacity to access climate finance, lessons learned from the assignment, and recommendations for activities to further enhance the country’s capacity to access climate finance. |
|
40% | Within 12 months of signing the contract |
REPORTING AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
- The consultant is expected to work under the general guidance of the GGGI Project Manager in Tarawa and other GGGI staff in collaboration with the Climate Finance Division, MFED. She/he is expected to have a weekly update for the duration of the contract,
- The Consultant is to provide his/her own equipment to produce all deliverables,
- The Consultant is expected to travel to Tarawa at least once during the assignment, GGGI will cover travel costs for this assignment.
- The Consultant shall submit the Final Report which should reflect the outcome of all activities prepared by the consultant. The report should also give recommendations for further activities to be carried out in order to secure long-term sustainable financing.
- Apart from the Final Report, the following procedures and documents should be presented as annexes to the Final Report:
- The CFD SOPs,
- The CFD No-Objection Process for the NDA, and
- Other materials such as training materials etc.
- All relevant technical papers, reports, and other documents prepared from the start to the end of the assignment shall be attached to the Final Report,
- The Consultant shall submit the report in both hard copies and electronic versions readable by a Microsoft Office application,
- All outputs must be in English with report format, fonts, icons and photos approved prior to usage.
- Final report must be approved by GGGI with the agreement of the Ministry of Finance & Economic Development and the CFD.
- The duration dates refer to dates with final/approved deliverables and not draft documents,
- The Consultant shall consider the comments and necessary revisions proposed. Within 14 days from the receipt of the comments or modification proposal from the GGGI, the Consultant shall prepare and submit the final versions of the report and training modules.
EXPERTISE REQUIRED
The Consultant’s required qualifications and experience are detailed below:
Qualifications and skills (including a minimum level of education)
-
- University degree or postgraduate studies in climate science, environmental studies, economics, management, administration, international relations, international development or related studies.
- General professional experience
- At least 10 years of practical experience in leading/managing international projects in the area of climate policy and institutional strengthening, leading capacity development reviews and organisational evaluations,
- Strong knowledge of GCF procedures and national climate finance mechanisms, including working with National Designated Authorities to develop no-objection procedures, standard operating procedures and processes would be an asset
- Understanding of Pacific region structures, climate finance barriers and readiness need an advantage,
- Proven track record of working with governmental bodies, private sector, and civil society organizations,
- Strong facilitation and communication skills,
- Excellent English communication, training, and mentoring skills.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Date to close is 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.
Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
