Philippines: Nature-based Solutions Expert (Individual Consultant)

Location: Philippines
City: Metro Manila
Contract Type: Individual Consultant (Deliverable)
Grade: Individual Consultant 3
Salary scale: Individual Consultant Scale
Contract Duration: 4 months
Deadline: (23:59 KST) 29/05/2023
Job Reference: 100008270

GGGI is looking for an experienced and highly analytical Nature-based Solutions Expert (Individual Consultant) who is able to conduct in-depth sectoral needs assessment of the Philippines. The consultant will conduct an assessment which will be the basis of the country’s Project Concept Note (PCN) to be submitted to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), via the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) as the accredited entity to the GCF.

INTRODUCTION

GGGI is implementing the “Strengthening Access to GCF through Project Pipeline Development (2022-2024)” project in partnership with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). KOICA has been accredited to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) since July 2021 and has developed a strategic direction to support the Government of the Philippines to better access the GCF through the KOICA – as one of the GCF’s accredited entity (AE) – by originating impactful projects alongside with the partner government and leveraging its own grant resources as co-financing resources to scale impacts. KOICA has partnered with GGGI as a technical partner to do a needs assessment and necessary pre-feasibility study to produce project concept notes (PCNs) which can be further developed as full funding proposals (FPs) for the GCF.

The ultimate objective of this project is to develop two (2) PCNs for the Philippines with KOICA as an AE. The project’s targeted Outcomes, Outputs, and Activities are as follows:

SCOPE OF WORK

This Terms of Reference (ToR) pertains to the delivery of Outcome 1 ‘Prioritized climate finance areas identified’ and Outcome 3 ‘Pre-feasibility study conducted’. The Consultant shall deliver the output and activities under Outcome 1, in-depth sectoral needs assessment on nature-based solutions (NbS) in the Philippines to determine a priority or focus sub-sector and regions (locations) for PCN development, which will also be the basis of the Pre-feasibility study. PCNs should be aligned with KOICA’s strategic priorities given its potential co-financing. During the initial assessment of the sector, the Consultant will present the lists of sub-sector priorities with proven evidence and logics which GGGI will further develop it as a PCN.

The sectoral needs assessment will be based on the country’s NDC priorities and/or other prioritized strategic plans in order to ensure alignment with government priorities. In this regard, the Consultant shall closely work with GGGI Country Office and will liaise with the National Designated Authority (NDA) (i.e. Department of Finance), relevant national government agencies (e.g. Department of Environment and Natural Resources), and relevant stakeholders when necessary.

DETAILED TASKS

The Consultant will undertake the responsibilities, but not limited to, the following tasks: 

1. Develop In-depth Sectoral Needs Assessment Report to determine a priority or a focus sub-sector for GCF project concept note (PCN) development, including a summary of key findings and recommendations;
2. Identify and analyze list of sub-sectors (e.g. sustainable forest management) and specific regions that have high potential of generating climate impact;
3. Facilitate coordination and communication with government and non-governmental stakeholders to compile and analyze data to produce quality Needs Assessment Report;
4. Develop full deck presentation material on the key summary of the report for efficient communication purposes;
5. Take any follow up measures (additional research, modification, revision upon consultation with stakeholders) within one month after the submission of the final report as needed.

The Table of Contents for the Sectoral Needs Assessment Report should include, but not limited to, the following topics corresponding to the GCF guidelines on PCN development:

*Note: The table of contents can possibly be modified during the workplan development phase in consultation with GGGI. GGGI will provide data and information related to preliminary government consultations to the selected consultant as a starting point of this assignment. It is important to produce thematic analysis to be aligned with GCF PCN user guideline. 

1. Executive Summary

• Brief overview of the assessment, including key findings and recommendations

2. Introduction

• Background information on the purpose and scope of the assessment
• Explanation of the methodology used

3. Status of NbS in the Philippines

• Analytical overview and mapping of climate risks and challenges across the country in relation to sustainable landscapes management (e.g. forest management, biodiversity conservation, agro-forestry, etc.)
• Analytical overview of the priority needs of the country by sub-sectors and regions, with required type of investment and policy measures
• Discussion of the climate adaptation (and mitigation) impact to be generated by NbS approach with necessary data, graphics, or any illustrative methods
• Discussion of the current management and utilization practices and challenges in central and local governments

4. Government Policy and Regulation and Institutional Context

• Review of national and LGUs legislation (including policies and regulations) to identify the structure of implementation of NbS across various (sub-)sectors
• Determine whether the government has established mandates for cooperation between local governments and the private sector in the management of NbS
• Role of governments and private sector in the entire process of NbS management

5. Analysis and Findings

• Analysis of the data collected including any significant barriers, gaps or deficiencies identified
• Discussion of the opportunities and potential solutions for improving NbS management
• Discussion on the climate impact (e.g. data on methane reduction before and after, mitigation and adaptation impact calculation based on the GCF investment framework)
• Discussion on the immediate and long-term effects (e.g. postharvest losses reduction, efficient resource management, investment opportunities)

6. Recommendation on priority or focus sub-sector and regions (locations) for PCN development including the followings:

• Diagram of theory of change and proposed logframes
• Proposed options of project implementation flow (technical, financial, etc.)
• Prioritization / selection methodology of the project locations
• Proposed locations (regions) of the project
• Description of estimated climate mitigation and adaptation impact aligned with GCF Result Areas
• Project Information which includes the information to assess the economic and technical viability of the proposed project described in the GCF PCN user guideline which includes expected project results aligned with the GCF investment criteria.
• Indicative Financing/Cost Information which provides an overview of the financing/cost information for both the requested GCF amount and co-financing amount described in the GCF PCN user guideline.

OUTPUT/REPORTING REQUIREMENTS/DELIVERABLES

S/he will report directly to the concerned staff of the GGGI Country Office. Reporting to government partners will be required when necessary.

*Other miscellaneous costs that may occur for the deliverables will not be covered by GGGI.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE/EXPERTISE

The Consultant is expected to possess the following qualifications:  

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, nature-based solutions, sustainable agriculture, economics, or relevant subject.
• Strong knowledge on the GCF and GCF investment criteria and familiarity with Philippine development planning documents, policies, and national priorities, such as PDP 2017-2022, NCCAP 2011-2028, and the NDCs.
• Proven network with national government agencies (such as Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture).
• Extensive experience in the development of policy instruments, data collection and analysis, with a proven record of developing a successful project proposal.
• Deep understanding of climate change related challenges in the Philippines, particularly in the context of national government agencies and local government units.
• Able to effectively communicate with key actors in Government and non-government agencies, handle complex multi-stakeholder relationships, and maintain a high degree of professional integrity.
• Demonstrates maturity and professional ability to handle sensitive information and ability to respect the confidentiality of such information while working with GGGI and its partners.
• Excellent analytical writing skills in the English language and able to prepare concise advisory reports for a range of stakeholders.
• Experience in engaging with public authorities is a must. Experience with private actors in sustainable landscape management is a plus.
• Experience in supporting the design of business models and financing schemes for sustainable landscapes across forest and agriculture sectors is a plus.