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 BACKGROUND

GGGI has a diverse portfolio of programs in developing countries around the world. These in-country programs, together with global products and services, 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 strong theoretical and empirical basis for green growth, while providing concrete options and guidance for policymakers; as well as building the conditions for public and private green infrastructure investments.

Mexico’s development priorities have evolved in the context of global and domestic changes, resulting in a significant push to transform the public life to achieve a greater benefit for all. This intent is ingrained in the National Development Plan 2019-2024, which serves as an umbrella for sectoral and institutional plans and a key tool for cooperation fostering inclusive development. The goal of its political, social, and economic pillars is to bring the nation toward prosperity, security, sustainability; thus, green growth and a low-carbon society are key development objectives for the country.

GGGI has a diverse portfolio of programs in developing countries around the world. These in-country programs, together with global products and services, 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 strong theoretical and empirical basis for green growth, while providing concrete options and guidance for policymakers; as well as building the conditions for public and private green infrastructure investments.

Over the last decade, the Global Green Growth Institute has consolidated its role as a trusted advisor to Mexico’s federal and subnational governments, actively working shoulder-to-shoulder with key counterparts to establish a strong green growth foundation in the country. In 2014, the Mexican Senate ratified the Agreement for the Establishment of GGGI, which signals Mexico’s commitment to green growth and its recognition of the shared value of this development paradigm in cooperation with GGGI. In 2021, the Country Agreement between GGGI and Mexico was signed between the Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretariat and GGGI; hence, formally recognizing GGGI as one the country’s key partnering international intergovernmental organizations.

Between 2019 and 2021, the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit of Mexico (SHCP for its acronym in Spanish) as National Designated Authority (NDA) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), through the GCF Readiness Programme, has received funding to support activities that enhance and strengthen Mexico’s climate finance architecture to mobilize public and private, national, and international, climate financing for mitigation and adaptation projects and programs in the country.

In 2022, a Multiyear GCF Readiness Programme started its implementation to continue strengthening capacities of the Ministry of Finance of Public Credit (SHCP) -as focal point of GCF and other green funds -, candidate and accredited DAEs, and the National Banking and Securities Commission (CNBV) on sustainable finance to mobilize investments that advances Mexico’s climate and sustainable commitments.

GGGI has worked closely with DAEs in Mexico to develop and strengthen their capacities and ensure compliance with GCF policies and procedures for accreditation and enhanced accreditation purposes. Ensuring that DAEs and their executing entities comply with fiduciary, environmental and social, gender and M&E standards will enable them to adopt international best practices, fulfill their responsibilities in GCF-funded activities and enhance their ability to present new funding proposals, thereby supporting Mexico in achieving its climate commitments.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Objectives

The GCF Due Diligence Consultant aims to assess the fiduciary, M&E, ESS and gender capacities of the executing entities of Mexico’s DAEs and to establish recommendations for them to strengthen their capacities to comply with GCF standards, policies and procedures. This will allow DAEs to present funding proposals to mobilize GCF resources in Mexico and ensure correct implementation of approved funding proposals.

The GCF Due Diligence Consultant will be supporting the implementation and timely delivery of the activities established in the GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Program in Mexico. S/he will directly report to the ESG and Compliance Senior Officer in the GGGI Mexico’s office.

The GCF Due Diligence Consultant will be working with DAEs in Mexico (FMCN, Nafin and Banobras) and their executing entities to assess their capacities and recommend how to strengthen them to comply with GCF standards to mobilize resources for mitigation and adaptation programs and projects in Mexico.

Scope of Work

The Consultant will carry out at least the following activities:

1. Perform gap assessments on fiduciary, and M&E standards for 5 FMCN executing entities and draft recommendations on how to address them.
2. Perform gap assessment on fiduciary, ESS, gender and M&E standards for 2 Nafin executing entities and draft recommendations on how to address them.
3. Perform gap assessment on fiduciary, ESS, gender and M&E standards for 1 Banobras executing entity and draft recommendations on how to address them.
4. Establish an action plan for each DAE to monitor and strengthen their executing entities capacities and compliance with GCF standards.
5. Propose how to support and enhance participation DAEs executing entities in the development of concept notes and funding proposals.
6. Deliver capacity building activities and support workshops and webinars that allow the exchange of best practice between the DAEs and their executing entities.

Main topics to be supported:

1. Identify gaps between DAEs executing entities and GCF standards and develop recommendations on how to address them.
2. Development of action plans to support DAEs monitoring and strengthening capacities of their executing entities.
3. Development of capacity building activities to support DAEs executing entities better fulfill their role on GCF funded activities.

DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Outputs/Deliverables

The expected outputs are the following:

• (8) Assessment reports. Complete reports for each of the DAEs executing entities (8 in total) on fiduciary, ESS, gender and M&E compliance with GCF standards, each according to the DAEs accreditation standards. Reports must include recommendations on how the executing entity, with the DAEs support, should address the identified gaps in order to comply with GCF policies and procedures.
• (3) Action plans. One action plan per DAE on strengthening their executing entities capacities and how to monitor compliance with GCF standards during the life of projects funded by GCF. Each action plan should include specific activities, responsibilities, indicators, deliverables and completion dates. Action plans should serve as a model for DAEs continuous monitoring and support of their executing entities for GCF funded activities.
• (3) Capacity building activities. Activities/workshops/webinars, one per executing entity, to strengthen their knowledge on GCF, its standards, policies and procedures, and the roles and responsibilities of executing entities in GCF funded activities (including on participation in the development of GCF concept notes and funding proposals).

Reporting arrangements

The development of the consultant will be monitored and coordinated mainly through meetings related to periodic review and planning. The schedule will be defined in coordination with the DAEs and Mexico’s ESG and Compliance Senior Associate at GGGI. These review meetings will address topics such as the strategic direction of activities, coordination of actors, and the definition of inter-agency conciliation tables, as well as reporting on progress about the objective of the consultancy and deliverables.

All reports or results must be written in Spanish/English (when required), in accordance with GGGI’s formatting requirements, and submitted with proof of editable file back-up (e.g. .docx, .pptx) in an external hard-disk and GGGI SharePoint system. Where relevant, the consultant shall also provide 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 Supervisors. The consultant will make the best use of both primary and secondary sources of information for the development of activities defined under the contract objective. The consultant will always provide the information to the Policy Senior Associate at GGGI for review and approval, prior to taking final action.

The consultant should demonstrate the credentials described below.

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Policy, Finance, or another relevant discipline. It would be desirable if s/he holds a Master’s degree in any of these topics or in Environmental Economics or Sustainability.
• 5 years of relevant experience in the financial sector.
• Experience delivering due diligences in financial sectors is required.
• Experience with GCF standards would be desirable.
• Excellent writing and report preparation skills.
• Excellent skills in data analysis and critical thinking.
• Strong skills in assertive communication in English and Spanish.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and strategic skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative working relationships with government counterparts.
• Demonstrated capacity to facilitate in-depth, outcome-oriented, stakeholder dialogues.
• Maturity and professional ability to handle sensitive information and ability to respect the confidentiality of such information while working with GGGI even after the contract ends.
• Ability to lead and work effectively with people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

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.

The maximum amount for this contract is $33,515 USD, depending on the experience of the candidate.