Consultant type: Individual Consultant
Consultant Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Publication date: 07-Nov-2025
Closing date: 14-Nov-2025
Job family: Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth;
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is one of the implementing Agencies for the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It is an independent financial organization that provides grants to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. GEF projects are co-financed with partnership agencies such as the AfDB to effectively promote the mainstreaming of environmental issues within baseline projects traditionally financed by these agencies.
The GEF is also the designated financial mechanism for a number of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) or conventions on biodiversity, desertification and climate change; as such the GEF assists countries in meeting their obligations under the conventions that they have signed and ratified. GEF projects are co-financed with the partnership agencies and thus effectively promote the mainstreaming of environmental issues within the baseline projects traditionally financed by these agencies. The AfDB operations in both the agriculture and infrastructure sectors have benefited from previous financing by GEF ensuring environmental management in these interventions and the realization of envisaged national and global environmental benefits.
Description
The objectives of this assignment are to coordinate the project preparation for the AfDB sector departments, which involves developing several projects; coordinate the preparation of projects and develop a pipeline of projects, with a focus on the above-mentioned focal areas that can be submitted to the GEF secretariat for financing. The pipeline will be developed by assessing the investment operations and identifying how environmental management that yields global and local benefits can be mainstreamed into the project activities.
The Consultant shall assist the GEF Coordination Unit in the identification, preparation and development of GEF project proposals to co-finance relevant Bank projects, including:
• Project cycle of AfDB-GEF operations;
• Monitoring of the AfDB-GEF pipeline;
• Management of AfDB-GEF resources;
• Corporate functions, and
• Outreach activities and knowledge
| Application Close Date | 2025-11-14 |
|---|---|
| Engagement Type | Individual Consultant |
| Job Family | 6.Sustainability |
| A. Background Objectives | The African Development Bank (AfDB) is one of the implementing Agencies for the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It is an independent financial organization that provides grants to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. GEF projects are co-financed with partnership agencies such as the AfDB to effectively promote the mainstreaming of environmental issues within baseline projects traditionally financed by these agencies.The GEF is also the designated financial mechanism for a number of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) or conventions on biodiversity, desertification and climate change; as such the GEF assists countries in meeting their obligations under the conventions that they have signed and ratified. GEF projects are co-financed with the partnership agencies and thus effectively promote the mainstreaming of environmental issues within the baseline projects traditionally financed by these agencies. The AfDB operations in both the agriculture and infrastructure sectors have benefited from previous financing by GEF ensuring environmental management in these interventions and the realization of envisaged national and global environmental benefits.The objectives of this assignment are to coordinate the project preparation for the AfDB sector departments, which involves developing several projects; coordinate the preparation of projects and develop a pipeline of projects, with a focus on the above-mentioned focal areas that can be submitted to the GEF secretariat for financing. The pipeline will be developed by assessing the investment operations and identifying how environmental management that yields global and local benefits can be mainstreamed into the project activities. |
| B. Scope of work | Major Duties and responsibilities will include the following among others:• Provide technical guidance and operational input during the project cycle of AfDB-GEF operations; • Monitor AfDB-GEF pipeline in identification and preparation; • Provide support to other Task Managers developing GEF projects in aspects of PIF and PPG development and full size project development; • Sensitize AHAI and AHWS Task Managers on GEF financing opportunities for projects (including but not limited to drawing up a check list; presentations and one on one consultations with the TMs); • Identify key opportunities and challenges in securing GEF financing for AHAI, PERN, PICU and AHWS project proposals including potential solutions to the challenges; • Review the current AfDB IOP and identify potential projects that can benefit from the GEF financing and ranking their readiness for GEF financing; • Engage the various Task Managers in developing components of the projects focusing on land degradation, international waters, biodiversity and climate change adaptation for GEF financing; • Prepare Project Identification Forms (PIFs) and Project Preparation Grant (PPGs) for selected projects eligible for GEF financing; • Carry out operational support missions in RMCs to work with operation staff in gathering information needed for the development and refinement of project concepts/documents; • Assist with management of the AfDB/GEF portfolio, including inputs to AfDB/GEF project tracking tables and other information management tools to support the systematic and regular provision of data/information to AfDB and GEF Secretariat on both the processing and administration of AfDB/GEF projects; • Time permitting, participate in other technical tasks assigned by the GEF Coordinator and / or PECG1 Division Manager, particularly in association with the preparation of CIF, GCF CAW and other climate finance projects. |
| C. Deliverables Expected | The deliverables expected include:(i) 5 project documents (PIF) for GEF Secretariat submission as full or medium size projects and CEO endorsement requests; (ii) 5 project documents (CEO endorsement) for GEF Secretariat submission as full or medium size projects and CEO endorsement requests; (iii) Written products on the AfDB/GEF portfolio or other GEF-related topics as required by AfDB to support AfDB’s engagement with the GEF community and/or to report on the status of AfDB/GEF activities; (iv) Completed PIFs, PPGs and CEO endorsement documents for 5 projects according to GEF guidelines; (v) Increased awareness of the GEF financing opportunities for Bank’s Task Managers; (vi) Brief monthly progress reports and a final report on outcomes and outputs achieved. Formats and outlines for AfDB reporting will be agreed at inception; deliverables for submission to GEF will adhere to prevailing GEF guidelines. |
| D. Duration and Timetable for the Assignment | The consultancy will be for a period of 12 months starting in December 2025. |
| E. Bank Contribution and Institutional Arrangement | The consultant will provide an initial twelve months of services, with assignments to be carried out at AfDB Headquarters (Abidjan) or remotely with operational support missions to selected RMCs in accordance with the Scope of Work described above. The Bank will provide the consultant with all the necessary support, including:i) Providing all the necessary Bank documents, reports, guidelines, etc. ii) Providing office space and logistical support |
| F. Duty Station | AfDB Headquarters (Abidjan) or remote. |
| G. Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies | Skills and capabilities include the following:i) The candidate should possess a master’s degree in environmental sciences, Agriculture, Environmental Management, Transport, Civil engineering or equivalent in similar disciplines. ii) At least 10 years of professional experience at project level, broad knowledge of all environmental management sub-sectors, including climate change adaptation, with specific experience in project design and implementation in an African setting; iii) Strong computer skills and ability to use standard technology packages and Bank’s standard software (word, excel, outlook, power-point); iv) Full understanding of the principles of the GEF strategic priorities and project design and implementation as applicable in the Bank’s Regional Member Countries; v) Proven planning and organizational skills. vi) Strong conceptual and research/analytical skills, with ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations; vii) Excellent oral and writing skills in English or French and good working knowledge of the other; viii) Proven ability to interact competently with technical and administrative staff |
| H. Supervisor | The consultant will report to the PECG.1 Division Manager – Environment and Climate Finance – under the direct supervision of the GEF coordinator, or any other officer designated by the Manager. |
Consultancy Input Days
261.00
Qualifications
| Qualification | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Regular Consultant | |
| Less than 32 years old at the time of signing the contract and during contract execution | No |
| Master’s Degree | Yes |
| Years of Experience | 10 years |
