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

PNG is ranked as the twelfth most at risk country in the world to natural disasters and climate change hazards. Climate change is likely to compound Papua New Guinea’s development challenges, and slow progress in poverty reduction. The goal of PNG’s climate actions noted in its National Adaptation Plan (2023), Enhanced NDC Implementation Plan 2020 and the Medium-Term Development Plan 2023-27 aims to transition the country into a climate resilient, green growth led economy

For PNG to achieve its climate change goals, substantial financial resources are required. However, there is a significant gap between current climate finance in PNG and the estimated cost of adaptation and low carbon development. The NDC Plan estimates this gap to be in excess of USD1bilion over the next 10 years to address PNG’s NDC targets.

The Government of PNG (GoPNG) has stated that introducing innovative ways to access international climate finance should be the ‘single issue’ for future support to PNG. Currently PNG does not have a national Accredited Entity (AE) for access to funding from Green Climate Fund (GCF) or the Adaptation Fund (AF) which are major sources of climate financing for developing countries. Presently, PNG relies on International or Regional AEs for GCF climate funded projects. PNG’s Climate Change Development Authority is currently working with GGGI to develop a new National Climate Finance Strategy (NCFS) with the assistance of GGGI. The NCFS is essentially an investment plan for NAP and NDC priorities. The NCFS, in line with NDA and GoPNG intentions are clear about strengthening ways to directly access international climate finance which includes the establishment of at least one National AE for PNG.

The case for a National AE in PNG is even more compelling when considering the country’s sheer size. scope and scale for climate financing can overwhelm regional AEs. Regional AEs like SPC and SPREP serve at least thirteen other Pacific countries in addition to PNG. The total project budget for SPCs Land Resources Division (LRD) Budget in 2023 amounted to USD 6-7m or about USD 0.5 m per year for each country served by SPC. This is far less than USD2m per year grant received by PNG for a new climate smart agriculture project (‘ASSA’) from the Adaptation Fund.

DIRECT ACCESS BENEFITS

‘Direct Access’ has multiple benefits. AE’s can be private, public, non-governmental, sub-national, national, regional or international bodies. They should have clear, detailed and actionable climate change projects or programmes to present to GCF progressing mitigation and adaptation. Not only does accreditation increase country ownership, but the process also helps to strengthen the capacity of national and subnational entities in developing countries. While the AE process requires applicants to undergo rigorous assessments focused on how they meet relevant fiduciary, environmental and social, and gender standards, most of the entities that undergo this process, report that the scrutiny has helped strengthen their ability to perform effectively.

Direct access also enhances efficiency in both the accreditation as well as the project selection process by decreasing the number of layers required for approvals and thereby reducing the transaction costs.

PREVIOUS AE CAPACITY ASSESSMENTS

In 2018, a USAID climate change project carried out rapid GCF capacity assessments for the Department of Works and Planning (DOWP) and Department of National Planning (DNPM). For various reasons, these reports were not completed till late 2022/early 2023 and provided to the Departments for their consideration.

There have been some notable developments since the 2018 assessments.

1. PNG consolidated its NDC Implementation Plan and NAP which helps national and subnational entities seeking direct access to identify priority areas for intervention for themselves as well as for the country they are sponsored by.

1. The GCF has structured its accreditation process as a “fit for purpose” approach. This allows entities to become accredited at different tiers (micro, small, medium, and large). For example, an entity that has no experience or cannot prove that it can implement large-scale projects or projects with escalated levels of potential environmental or social impacts can become accredited to implement smaller or lower-risk projects. Once accredited, they do not automatically have access to funding. Instead, they must submit project proposals to the GCF. Once proposals are approved, the accredited entity is responsible for ensuring that projects are implemented effectively, and for monitoring and reporting requirements which need to be submitted to the GCF. The GCF panel may also recommend a more frequent, but smaller, disbursement of funding tranches, subject to review after the first two years of accreditation.

1. Entities can seek accreditation to the GCF through Institutional accreditation or a new Project-specific assessment approach (PSAA). The PSSA Pilot is a capacity assessment of an entity to meet GCF accreditation standards to implement one climate project or program. The proposed project or program is aligned with developing countries’ priorities and GCF’s strategic objectives.

With the new developments in mind, CCDA intends to take concrete steps towards establishing at least 1 or 2 national AEs. This Consultancy will review initial capacity assessments for DoWH and DNPM and then recommend steps for progressing appropriate accreditation. CCDA is also interested in assessing at least 1-2 new candidates and has stated that the National Development Bank (NDB) of PNG be considered. A second new candidate may / may not be nominated by CCDA.

This Consultancy will also help raise general awareness of the GCF accreditation process, conduct assessments of 1-2 new candidates and provide recommendations to progress suitable applications. In the end, the AE application might be for any of these scenarios.

• one of the initial candidates (DoWH or DNPM) and one new candidate (eg NDB)
• 1 or 2 new candidates (eg NDB)
• 1 or 2 of the initial candidates (DoWH, DNPM)

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

1. Conduct at least 1 awareness meeting with CCDA and other stakeholders to raise awareness and understanding of the overall processes and requirements for GCF National Accreditation to ensure stakeholders are well informed and are fully engaged throughout this work.
2. Undertake a desk review of the initial assessments and provide recommendations as to next steps for progressing an appropriate or ‘fit for purpose’ approach leading to an accreditation application including a suitable capacity support plan for at least one these agencies.
3. Conduct gap assessments, develop an action plan for and support the accreditation application of the National Development Bank of PNG and possibly one other national agency nominated by CCDA.
4. Prepare a report that summarizes key findings, next steps and recommendations for (ii) existing agencies and (iii) new agencies that would also form the basis of a possible funding proposal to donors and development partners.

ON-GROUND SUPPORT

The international consultant will be provided with on-the ground support by CCDA and GGGI and possibly through a high-level steering mechanism. The international consultant is expected to make at least two international trips to PNG for the purposes of the project.

The specific outputs and deliverables to achieved by the consultant are:

Overall Output: National Accreditation Assessment and International Climate Funds Trust Account Policy

Deliverable 1: Workplan, AE Process Awareness

• Develop a clear work plan with timelines on how s/he aims to achieve the objectives and deliverables under this assignment.

• Undertake at least one meeting or Workshop with CCDA and other stakeholders to raise general awareness of AE processes and what’s involved including scope, requirements, timelines, discuss lessons or best practices from other AE experiences on /other regions

Deliverable 2: Desk Review

Undertake a desk review of the initial capacity assessments conducted for DoWH and DNPM and provide recommendations as to next steps for progressing an appropriate or ‘fit for purpose’ approach leading to an accreditation application including a suitable capacity support plan for at least one these agencies.

Deliverable 3: Assessments and Report

• Conduct gap assessment, develop an action plan for and support the accreditation application of the National Development Bank of PNG and possibly one other national agency nominated by CCDA.

• Prepare a report that summarizes key findings, next steps and recommendations for (ii) initial agencies and (iii) new agencies that would also form the basis of a possible funding proposal to donors and development partners.

The consultant must meet the following requirements:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in economics, finance, business administration, climate change, environmental policy, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible international professional and consultancy experience in development / climate finance (preferably on the donor side), institutional/capacity development and training, macroeconomic / fiscal / monetary policy analysis, or project / corporate finance.
• Demonstrated experience in GCF accreditation processes, GCF project development, organizational capacity assessments
• A sound working knowledge of PNG/ Pacific climate landscape including government mechanisms would be an advantage.
• Excellent report writing skills in English.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions.
• Good team player who can work as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team, motivate and lead group efforts and network effectively.
• Good command of spoken and written English

The following documents are required as part of the consultant’s application (must be in English):

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover letter.

The following documents are required as part of the consultant’s application (must be in English):

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover letter.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates are therefore encouraged to apply as soon as possible by 18th October 2024, 11:59PM Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Cover Letter, and CV must be sent in English.