MEXICO: CLIMATE FUNDS SPECIALIST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

GGGI Mexico has a growing portfolio of programs managing a diverse set of programs and projects focused on four key thematic areas of land-use, water, transport, and green cities, as well as the cross-cutting areas of climate action and socially inclusive development, all of which contribute significantly to the potential for achieving green growth in Mexico.

Following these thematic areas, GGGI Mexico seeks to support the Ministry of Finance, mainly the Direction of Sustainable Finance, to increase the pipeline of projects aligned with the strategic priorities of the Government of Mexico across key sectors, whilst maintaining its alignment to the Sustainable Taxonomy. Moreover, GGGI aims to support the Ministry of Finance in advancing the goals established in the Sustainable Finance Mobilization Strategy.

Mexico’s pipeline of projects for Green Climate Fund (GCF) approval consist of 13 projects, including 9 national projects and 4 multi-country projects. Managing this portfolio presents significant challenges, particularly in light of the evolving political context within both the Mexican government and the GCF.

In 2024, both the Government of Mexico and the GCF are redefining their strategic priorities. This requires aligning the current portfolio with the new national policy instruments, utilizing methodological tools for informed decision-making, implementing projects that deliver high climate impact and cost-effectiveness, updating the access guidelines for the GCF, and redesigning the GCF Country Program.

Additionally, the GCF’s new 2024-2027 Strategy emphasizes the need to strengthen the implementation of national projects executed by Nationally Accredited Entities. It also seeks to promote the use of the private sector access window and prioritize projects that demonstrate significant climate impact and high levels of co-financing.

The objective of the consultancy is to support the Direction of Sustainable Finance (DFS) of the Public Credit and International Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Finance (UCPAIH for its acronym in Spanish) in managing the project portfolio of the Country Program and the private sector window under the Green Climate Fund (GCF); collaborate in the preparation of strategic positions for the Ministry of Finance in international forums and platforms; and manage bilateral cooperation on sustainable finance to ensure alignment with national and international priorities.

1.1 Support the DFS of the Ministry of Finance (SHCP) in managing, reviewing, and preparing endorsements or approvals for projects pending approval within Mexico’s GCF portfolio, ensuring their alignment with national priorities.

1.2 Evaluate the documents and instruments related to the governance of the GCF, presented during Board meetings and Conferences of the Parties, to support strategic decision-making processes.

1.3 Develop and implement a strategy to access the GCF private sector facility, managing the pipeline of projects seeking financing from these sources.

1.4 Support the DFS in the review, analysis, and evaluation of SHCP’s positions in international forums and platforms on Sustainable Finance. These include, but are not limited to, the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, the Pacific Alliance Finance and Sustainable Development Working Group, and the Debt and Green Financing Management Group of the Inter-American Development Bank Platform.

1.5 Manage bilateral cooperation on sustainable finance by promoting effective coordination among stakeholders to ensure alignment with national and international priorities, maximizing project impacts, and optimizing access to financial resources.

1. Support the DFS of SHCP in managing, reviewing, and preparing endorsements or approvals for pending projects within Mexico’s GCF portfolio, ensuring alignment with national priorities.

a) Technical review of documents such as Concept Notes, Project Preparation Facility (PPF) submissions, and Full Funding Proposals submitted to the GCF.

b) Evaluate Concept Notes and Full Funding Proposals submitted to the GCF using a methodology developed by SHCP.

c) Conduct technical reviews of contracts between the GCF and Mexican technical and financial institutions.

d) Keep Mexico’s GCF project pipeline up-to-date, reflecting the status of submissions, approvals, and key milestones.

e) Monitor the GCF project pipeline, including identifying and tracking critical deadlines for proposal submissions.

f) Provide guidance to project proponents on GCF standards and criteria, focusing on climate impact, financial feasibility, and co-financing requirements for Accredited Entities seeking access to the GCF.

g) Prepare reports, presentations, and materials regarding the pipeline for national and international meetings to support strategic decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

2. Governance Evaluation and Strategic Decision-Making Support

a) Evaluate governance-related documents and instruments presented during GCF Board Meetings and Conferences of the Parties to provide strategic decision-making support.

b) Monitor and attend GCF Board Meetings, which occur at least twice a year, ensuring adequate follow-up on outcomes and resolutions.

c) Review technical documents issued by the GCF during Board Meetings, analyzing agreements and their implications.

d) Maintain and foster relationships with the GCF Board, particularly with the division overseeing the Latin America and Caribbean region, to ensure effective communication and coordination.

3. Private Sector Strategy Development and Pipeline Management

a) Identify and analyze guidelines and access requirements for the GCF private sector facility to align proposals with funding criteria.

b) Provide guidance to private sector investors on GCF standards, focusing on climate impact, financial feasibility, and co-financing through Accredited Entities.

c) Identify opportunities to strengthen project preparation and streamline access to GCF resources via the private sector facility.

d) Support the formulation and submission of funding proposals to the GCF private sector facility, ensuring compliance and alignment with strategic objectives.

e) Facilitate coordination among project developers, Direct Access Entities (DAEs), and other stakeholders to create coherent and impactful funding proposals.

f) Monitor the progress of the pipeline of projects submitted to the GCF, ensuring timely follow-up on the feedback provided by the GCF during the proposal review process.

g) Track and address any observations or recommendations from the GCF during the review of project proposals, ensuring that these are properly addressed to improve the quality and alignment of proposals.

h) Organize meetings, calls, or visits with private investors who approach the DFS for access to the GCF private sector window, aiming to identify opportunities for financing projects with high potential.

i) Assist investors by providing guidance on the criteria and standards required for GCF private sector access, helping them to prepare competitive proposals that meet the GCF’s funding priorities.

4. Analysis and Evaluation of SHCP’s Positioning in International Forums

a) Review, analyze, and evaluate preparatory documents, technical reports, and communications issued by international forums on sustainable finance such as the G20, APEC, the Pacific Alliance, OECD, and the IDB Platform.

b) Facilitate Mexico’s participation and positioning in joint communication initiatives, ensuring that Mexico’s contributions are recognized as key references in the field of sustainable finance.

5. Bilateral Cooperation Management in Sustainable Finance

a) Organize regular coordination meetings with relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth and effective communication.

b) Support the definition of collaboration priorities between bilateral cooperation entities and the SHCP, aligning with Mexico’s national and international commitments in sustainable finance.

c) Coordinate with internal areas within SHCP to ensure compliance with administrative, technical, and communication requirements for bilateral agreements.

d) Analyze and coordinate the review of bilateral cooperation agreements, ensuring that they align with the interests of both parties and Mexico’s international sustainable finance commitments.

DELIVERABLES

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

• The description of required expert may be split into following parts:
• (REQUIRED) Mexican citizen.
• (REQUIRED) Bachelor’s degree in International Relations
• (REQUIRED) professional experience of at least 4 years (5 year preferably) managing projects related to sustainable finance, climate change, or international cooperation; analyzing technical documents for multilateral forums such as the G20, IDB, OECD, or similar; coordinating multilateral and bilateral initiatives in climate and sustainable finance; and negotiating in bilateral and multilateral forums such as the G20 or Pacific Alliance.
• (DESIRABLE) Familiarity with processes and criteria of international entities such as the GCF, World Bank, IDB, G20, etc.
• (DESIRABLE) Knowledge of sustainable finance methodologies (e.g., project evaluation, financial mechanisms, resource flow analysis, governance structures).
• (DESIRABLE) Expertise in portfolio analysis and management for climate finance projects.
• Excellent skills in data analysis and critical thinking.
• Excellent writing, report preparation skills and assertive communication (Spanish and English)
• High performance, motivation, and degree of autonomy.
• Above average attention to detail.
• Team coordination and collaborative network-building abilities.
• Adaptability to work in changing political and strategic environments
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with national and international counterparts.