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: NI01-E1 (100%)
• Duty Station: Managua, Nicaragua, with a flexible arrangement (working from home + attending in person to the office when required)
• Contract Duration: 6 months (1 Jul 2024 – 31 December 2024)
• Number of Workdays Estimated (internal purpose only): 132
• Consultant Level: Level 3
• Total Fees: Up to USD 17,500.00

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 solid theoretical and empirical basis for green growth, while providing concrete options and guidance for policymakers, as well as creating the conditions for public and private green infrastructure investments.

Nicaragua’s National Determined Contribution (NDC) was originally submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2018 and updated in 2020. The development of the country’s NDC followed a highly participatory and consultative process with vulnerable groups, including native, Afro-descendant, and indigenous communities, women and youth. The resulting NDC is a very ambitious plan that includes climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the financial mechanism created within the framework of this Convention (UNFCCC) and seeks to support countries in complying with their National Contributions (NDC) and in this way, contribute to the final objective of keeping the increase in global average temperature below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and effects of climate change.

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), in collaboration with the Secretariat of Climate Change, the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, is implementing a 24-month technical assistance program for the Government of Nicaragua entitled “Mobilization of climate finance and private investments for low carbon development in Nicaragua”. The program, funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Preparatory and Readiness Support Program, aims to improve the institutional capacity, strategic frameworks, and project portfolio of the Government of Nicaragua to increase the mobilization of national and international climate finance and private investments for the implementation of national determined contribution (NDC) and low-carbon development.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The National Designated Authority (NDA) by the Government of Nicaragua for the GCF has a portfolio of 12 Project Idea Sheets, four national Concept Notes and a regional concept note, all of them focused on Forests and Climate Change, these projects were prepared and validated by the corresponding authorities in 2020. The consultant will be responsible for updating this portfolio, in accordance with the context of recent updates to Nicaragua’s NDC and other public policy instruments and the current GCF Strategy.

The updated portfolio must be submitted for discussion and validation by the NDA and the entities that make up the National Climate Change Management System (SNGCC in Spanish).

The consultancy will have the following specific objectives:

• Update the NDA project portfolio in line with the NDCs. It must consider the relevance that each project idea must be linked to current sectoral policies and plans, as well as the foreseeable variation in the costs associated with its execution, GCF policies, and other sources of climate finance.
• Conduct a workshop on Presentation and Validation of the Project Portfolio aimed to the institutions of the National Climate Change Management System (SNGCC in Spanish). It includes development of the methodology and profile of participants.
• Prepare the final document of the NDA Project Portfolio. This document must include the recommendations submitted by the institutions of the Government of Nicaragua.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

1. Review of portfolio documents: fact sheets and concept notes, according to national priorities and financing management needs.
2. Compile the list of programs and projects linked to climate change, in execution and formulation process. It is important to identify which of these were part of the portfolio, or which of them have similar or complementary components.
3. Prepare a digest of national policies, strategies, and laws on climate change.
4. Review the GCF’s strategy and lines of action.
5. Virtual meetings with the NDA and other government institutions, for the follow-up of information requirements, reviews and consultations on the deliverables and validation of the final deliverable.
6. Preparation of a proposed project portfolio structure, which includes the structure and basic content of the technical sheets.
7. Presentation of recommendations for improvement of the NDC.
8. Organization of a workshop to discuss and validate the Portfolio.
9. Preparation of the workshop methodology and proposal of the participant profile.
10. Conduct the workshop.
11. Preparation of a report on the results of the workshop, detailing the participants by gender.
12. Incorporation of the observations of the Government of Nicaragua into the updated Portfolio
13. Updated portfolio document (draft for discussion). The updated draft portfolio should consider the relevance, that each project idea should be linked to current sectoral policies and plans, as well as the foreseeable variation in costs associated with its implementation, GCF policies, and other sources of climate finance. The portfolio must present at least 8 Project Sheets and recommendations for Concept Notes, not limiting the number of proposed Sheets. The update of each project idea must be carried out in coordination with the corresponding sectoral entity (Ministry, Autonomous Institute or other government entity) and the DNA.
14. Report of the Workshop on the Presentation and Validation of the Project Portfolio aimed at the SNGCC institutions. Prior to the workshop, the methodology and a proposal for the profile of participants must be presented. Once the workshop has been held, a report from the Workshop report must be presented, emphasizing the conclusions and agreements reached, and including a list of participants and gender relations of the participants.
15. Final document of the Portfolio. The document must include the recommendations submitted by the institutions of the Government of Nicaragua, during the working sessions and in the validation workshop.

The deliverables will be considered approved, and payable, upon approval by GGGI’s Project Manager and Nicaragua’s GCF Nationally Designated Authority.

REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The Consultant will be supervised by Nicaragua’s GGGI Project Manager and the Climate Change Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic of Nicaragua (SCCP in Spanish). The consultant’s work progress will be monitored primarily through periodic review meetings. These review meetings will tackle subjects such as the overview of the contractual objectives, the development of activities, detailed information milestones, actual achievements made against the timeline initially set, and any other relevant progress details.

During the first week of assignment the consultant will define the reporting arrangements of the consultancy, in consultation with SCCP and the Project Manager.

The consultant may be required by either SCCP or Project Manager to work within the premises of the Climate Change Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, for the days of the consultancy.

The Global Green Growth Institute (“GGGI”) is committed to transparency, accountability, and openness in the organization. In case of any doubt, please refer to our Whistleblower policy in the link:

http://gggi.org/site/assets/uploads/2017/11/Whistleblower-Policy_02072015.pdf

The consultant should demonstrate the credentials described below.

• Nicaraguan citizen or foreign who can reside and work in Nicaragua with a valid work permit
• Documented experience in the preparation of at least 3 concept notes in the GCF format, in addition to other international, multilateral and similar financial sources.
• Graduated professional in agronomic, environmental or similar engineering, with experience in finance and project management or related careers.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience, preferably with direct experience working in Nicaragua.
• Knowledge of the UNFCCC Financial Mechanism: Adaptation Fund, Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and in a team.
• Knowledge and use of computer tools at the user level of Microsoft Office, Excel, Power BI, among others.
• Knowledge of the English language is desirable.

GGGI as an institution, abides by its project-level Sustainability and Safeguards Rules (SSR) for all projects aligned with international standards for Environmental and Social Safeguards. The SSR is aligned with commonly recognized international standards for Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS), i.e., the World Bank (WB) Performance Standard, that ensure project level safeguarding of communities and people impacted by GGGI’s activities. GGGI has integrated project level Environmental and Social Safeguards into its Project Cycle Management (PCM) with mandatory Preliminary Gender and Social Assessments and ESS Screening for all projects to identify and manage risks.

GGGI’s Child Protection Rules and GGGI’s Rules on Sexual Exploitation ensure safeguarding of children impacted by GGGI’s activities or in contact with GGGI’s contracted personnel, with GGGI taking a zero-tolerance approach to child exploitation. 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. All procedures mentioned above are accompanied by guidelines and capacity building efforts. GGGI also provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity, and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. GGGI promotes equal opportunities for all, including persons with disabilities.

All GGGI’s policies are available for open consultation under the following link: https://gggi.org/policy-documents/

GGGI is committed to applying transparency and accountability in its decisions and actions and practicing integrity in all operations. GGGI’s anti-corruption policy establishes zero tolerance for corruption and fraudulent, coercive, and collusive practices in GGGI’s operations. The whistleblowing policy is available at the following link https://gggi.org/site/assets/uploads/2017/11/Whistleblower-Policy_02072015.pdf

In addition, all GGGI’s policies are available for open consultation under the following link: https://gggi.org/policy-documents/