Overview : What is the GCF and the GCF Readiness Program The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was established in 2010 as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The fund is designed to disburse $100 billion per year of new and additional resources by 2020 for addressing climate change. Access to Fund resources will be through national, regional and international implementing entities accredited by the GCF Board. Direct access by national public and private entities will be a key feature of the Fund in line with a GCF’s commitment to country ownership. Meanwhile, the GCF Readiness Program builds countries' capacity to access the GCF by preparing countries to plan for, manage, disburse and monitor climate financing. Currently, the GCF Readiness Program provides support to nine (9) countries across the world: Benin, Colombia, El Salvador, Fiji, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, Philippines and Uzbekistan. Who are involved At the global level, the GCF Readiness Program is a joint partnership of the following institutions: United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Environment, and World Resources Institute (WRI). In the Philippines, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is the National Designated Authority (NDA) to liaise with the GCF. Outcomes, Outputs and Activities of the GCF Readiness Program in the Philippines The Philippines GCF Readiness Program is premised on the need to support Philippines in adopting ambitious yet practical approaches that will not only enable access to the GCF in the short term but also support the effective transformation of the country’s NAP and INDC into practical and feasible climate solutions in the long term. The main goal is to strengthen the capacities of the GoP to effectively and efficiently plan for, access, manage, deploy, and monitor climate finance, in particular from the GCF. As part of the Program, a team comprised of UNEP, UNDP, WRI, (the “Partners”) and independent experts, held extensive consultations between 18 to 26 Nov 2014 with government, civil society and the private sector to explore the needs, gaps, challenges and opportunities in climate finance in Philippines. At the time, the Climate Change Commission held the position of NDA to the GCF, therefore the DENR led the development of the initial work plan of the program. The scoping mission used a common three-part analytical framework that puts the domestic climate response in context; maps the institutions and actors that have been involved in efforts to invest in solutions to climate change; and reflects on the modalities of engagement, and analyses their implications. Further consultations during 2015 concluded that the following three outputs needed to be attained in order to achieve the overall objective: Selection of national and sub-national entities as NIEs for direct access to the GCF; Development of a pipeline of prioritized climate change programs/projects ready for submission to GCF; and Support the preparation of a public-private partnership (PPP) modality to implement climate mitigation and adaptation solutions. In 2015- 2016, some activities started and even completed implementation, under the DENR. However, in February 2017, the nomination of DENR as NDA to the GCF became effective and therefore, some modifications to the UNDP-supported activities were made, under the request of DENR. This program under the DENR was approved on 15 March 2017 and is scheduled to end 30 April 2018. The program is funded by the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB).
OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT The UNDP Philippines and the DENR are seeking a national climate finance expert to develop a set of guidelines for climate change project prioritization to identify climate change project priorities which are aligned with the Green Climate Fund investment criteria. As a key element of such guidance, the climate finance expert is expected to analyze the concept of “additionality/ incremental cost reasoning” in climate change projects and provide recommendations for its application, to further screen prioritized projects. The guideline should fit specifically with the political decision-making context of the Philippines. For the development of the main deliverable, the consultant will compile and analyze existing tools, methodologies, and criteria that can be adopted by national stakeholders to assess and prioritize climate change mitigation and adaptation needs, projects and investments. The final output will be the “Philippines GCF Project Prioritization Tool and GCF National Decision-making mechanism” with the “additionality" definition included in the criteria to prioritize projects. EXPECTED OUTPUT AND SCOPE OF WORK Expected Output The expected output of this consultancy is a concrete guideline tailored to the context and needs of the Philippines, to prioritize and screen projects and Programs for submission to GCF. The guideline will serve as reference framework for a sustainable and fully-participatory approach for climate finance decision-making in the Philippines. The consultant must take into account the GCF investment criteria and project approval procedures. By mapping the GCF investment criteria against the development and climate priorities of the Philippines, the guidelines will: Provide a strategy for decision-making, uniquely tailored for the Philippines, whereby the DENR along with other relevant Government ministries and agencies (including sub-national authorities), development banks, civil society, and private sector can prioritize climate change adaptation and mitigation, including Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD), needs and interventions, in a participatory approach. Provide clarity on the concept of additionality/ incremental cost, a key criterion in the identification and screening of climate investments. Serve as reference of best practice in climate finance decision-making for the Philippines. The consultant will work with the GCF Readiness Program National Coordinator and UNDP Philippines to organize the necessary consultations and meetings with national stakeholders to inform the deliverable.
In order to deliver the expected output, the consultant will: Review and analyze climate finance and policy in the Philippines, including mapping of all ongoing DENR-projects/Programs, climate finance flows (public and private), as well as national strategies, policies or programming related to climate change. Review current mitigation, adaptation and REDD+ prioritization procedures in the Philippines (e.g. NAMA and GEF national prioritization process) Analyze case studies on application of additionality/ incremental cost reasoning on climate change projects/Programs and relevant literatures on the subject of additionality. Conduct a national workshop including DENR and other relevant ministries, civil society, private sector and candidate National Implementing Entities (NIEs) of Philippines, to present the concept and purpose of the Guideline and seek initial feedback to take into account for its development. Present draft of the guidelines feedback from the Project National Director in DENR and the project management team Conduct a consultation and validation workshop with all relevant national stakeholders, to present the final prioritization guideline and obtain final feedback and endorsement. An initial consultation is required to launch the guideline development process. A final validation workshop is required for the Government to validate and inform stakeholders. All-inclusive workshops or stakeholder consultations, as needed, will help obtain first-hand information on national processes, especially existing decision-making processes in regards to access to climate finance and project prioritization. Coordination The consultant will work under the guidance of the National Program Director for GCF Readiness Program in the DENR, as well as under the supervision of UNDP Philippines and the National Coordinator of the GCF Readiness Program- who will also provide administrative, logistical and technical guidance for the diligent completion of the task. The consultant will also gather inputs from the GCF Readiness Program global coordinator in UNDP, and of UNEP, if and when needed (refer to page 2). As needed, the consultant may request inputs and assistance from National Experts of DENR and the members of the GCF Readiness Program Program Board. The cooperation or collaboration with the other relevant national stakeholders and agencies in climate change policy and finance, e.g. DENR, DOF and NEDA will be determined in detail during the preparation of the work plan. All consultations must be organized under the direct supervision of the GCF Readiness Program National Coordinator, DENR and UNDP Philippines.
DOCUMENTS AND SECRETARIAT SUPPORT - DOCUMENTS: The following reference documents will be made available to the consultant for the development of the prioritization guideline:
Climate Change Project Prioritization Tool and Guideline for Ghana (Prepared under the Global GCF Readiness Program) Additionality Working Paper developed by UNDP GCF Investment Frameworks and Criteria for Adaptation and Mitigation GCF Best Practices for Country Coordination and Multi-stakeholder Engagement Relevant decisions of GCF Board National Framework and Strategy for Climate Change (NFSCC) National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP)
- SECRETARIAT: There is no provision for additional staff support to the consultant. He/she has the option to hire staff support at his/her own expense. She/He will however be assisted by GCF Readiness Program staff in terms of sending invitations, selecting the venue, and arranging meals and lodging and reimbursement of expenses of participants, as necessary. The facilitation and finalization of the documentation of the national workshops and stakeholders consultations will be the responsibility of the consultant. The consultant will be allowed to use the GCF Readiness Program PMU office and facilities but must provide its own laptop/ working station.
DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR PROFESSIONAL FEES ONLY The assignment will have a duration of 60 actual working days spread 120 days to provide ample time for output/report review and acceptance process by DENR. A timeline of activities will be jointly developed by the consultant and PMU of the GCF Readiness Program. The consultant must be ready to start the work in less than five (5) working days upon signing of the contract. - First Tranche - 20% upon submission and acceptance of detailed workplan of activities and budget - three (3) working days after submission of signed contract;
- Second Tranche - 30% upon submission of draft report (including its presentation to the designated review panel/body) - within forty five (45) working days after the start of work;
- Third Tranche - 50% upon submission and acceptance of the final report - within fifteen (15) working days after the acceptance of the draft report.
Other schedules may be negotiated but in no case will these changes delay the schedule for the submission of the final output. Expenses for workshops, travels (out of town) and per diems, supplies are not included in the fee and will be handled by the GCF-PMU. The fees for the consultant however is inclusive of his/her own communication cost, e.g. phone, wifi and local travel in Metro Manila. Corporate competences - Commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
- Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences.
Functional competences - Experience in working in the private sector, or in an outreach position relating with the government and private sector;
- Past experience and effective communication skills for dialoguing with senior level private sector executives;
- Strong initiative and desire to succeed, accountable and willingness to be pro-active in identifying suitable companies for BCtA membership and engaging in appropriate business opportunities;
- Experience and knowledge of the international development sector, e.g. through working at the UN in the private sector engagement and/or development field;
- Existing work experience in the Philippines and with the Philippines-based private sector organizations/companies, donor partners and UN agencies;
- Possess strong intellectual interest in economic development and the role of the private sector in driving poverty reduction; knowledge of private sector – development impact assessment;
- Past international work experience preferred;
- Demonstrated ability to function in a team environment & to deal with complex multi-stakeholder environment.
QUALIFICATIONS: Education: Master’s degree in finance (public or business finance), development management, social science (preferably economics), international development, or environmental studies;
Experience: At least five (5) years of work experience related to the following: Experience in climate change project proposal development or project management (mitigation and adaptation), including project design, monitoring and evaluation, consultations, etc; Experience in working with the governments and national and international development partners on , international carbon finance mechanisms (e.g. Clean Development Mechanism), and/or global environmental funds (e.g. Global Environment Facility, Adaptation Fund, Climate Investment Funds, etc.); Experience in the development of project screening or project/investment selection guidelines/tool/methodologies;
Skills: Demonstrated experience in data mining and secondary analysis of official data; Demonstrated experience in focused group discussions and interviews, as well as stakeholder mapping; Good presentation and facilitation skills; Proven experience in report writing;
Language: - Very good command of oral and written English.
Criteria for selection process: The offer will evaluated based on the Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and technical competency (evidence based) will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%. Application requirements: Application requirements should be emailed to procurement.ph@undp.org and registry.ph@undp.org on or before 19 May 2017. |
