National Climate Finance Coordinator IC -GCF Readiness 2 Project, Kiribati

National Climate Finance Coordinator IC -GCF Readiness 2 Project, Kiribati

Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)

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

Kiribati is a founding member of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). The Government of Kiribati and GGGI have been working to address targeted needs in green growth, climate adaptation and mitigation, sustainability, low-carbon, and development. GGGI seeks to complement the Government objectives of the Kiribati National Vision 2016-2036 and works across a number of sectors in Kiribati including climate-smart agriculture, green procurement, green-preneurship, green business development, and climate finance absorption and mobilization.

The Government of Kiribati acknowledges climate change as a national priority. The Office of the President leads on climate matters through the Climate Change Division. The Climate Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED) is the National Designated Authority (NDA) for climate finance from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Adaptation Fund.

The NDA, in collaboration with GGGI as the Delivery Partner for this GCF Readiness project, sought Readiness funding from the GCF that aims to implement the following climate priorities to improve Kiribati’s capacity to access climate finance and successfully engage with the GCF through the project pipeline. To achieve this, the Readiness grant will focus on the following objectives:

1. Build and strengthen human, technical and institutional capacity within the NDA Office and across government, private sector and civil society organisations to undertake climate mandates,
2. Strengthen and ensure the effectiveness of the internal coordination and communication mechanisms across ministries and stakeholder groups to reduce duplication, improve climate planning and programming and successfully move projects through the pipeline,
3. Develop and implement climate finance-related strategies and plans including no objection procedures, and the Country Programme,
4. Support the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MFED) in strengthening its policies and procedures, including their implementation, for the GCF FMCA accreditation, ensuring a strong and viable national delivery partner.

The CFD hosts the GCF Readiness Project Management Unit (PMU). The CFD Director coordinates with GGGI as the Delivery Partner for this GCF Readiness 2 Project, as well as other key stakeholders.

This GCF Readiness 2 Project is funded by the GCF and ends in 31st December 2026.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The Ministry of Finance & Economic Development (MFED), through its Climate Finance Division (CFD), is committed to enhancing its climate finance mechanisms, policies, and procedures. To achieve this, the Project Management Unit (PMU) under the CFD seeks a consultant to provide focused coordination, stakeholder engagement, and project support to ensure the successful completion of key deliverables before project closure.

This consultancy primarily supports the delivery of Output 1.1.2 (Strengthened NDA mechanisms and KNEG coordination) and contributes to Output 1.3.3 (Strengthened information sharing and communications) under the GCF Readiness 2 Project implementation plan.

The main objectives of the consultancy are to support the delivery of specific outputs under Kiribati’s second GCF Readiness grant:

• Maintain and strengthen coordination and communication between the CFD, the OB Climate Change Unit, the Kiribati National Expert Group on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (KNEG), and other key stakeholders;
• Support the KNEG and its Technical Working Groups (TWGs) to facilitate climate finance discussions, project idea development, and pipeline prioritisation;
• Raise the visibility of the KNEG and support the development and dissemination of climate finance communications; and
• Assist the PMU in meeting reporting and project closure requirements for the GCF Readiness 2 Project.

In addition to supporting the delivery of the specific outputs for the GCF Readiness grant, the consultant will also provide ad-hoc guidance and advice to CFD and the PMU on the overall implementation of readiness outputs applicable to strengthening the NDA and building national skills, knowledge and capacities.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Consultant will work under the supervision of the GGGI Project Manager and in close collaboration with the Director of the Climate Finance Division. The Consultant will be the focal point for government counterparts and will establish and maintain coordination and communication pathways across relevant institutions and stakeholder groups.

Task 1: Stakeholder Coordination and Communication

• Establish and maintain effective coordination and communication pathways between the OB Climate Change Unit and the CFD to improve national-level coordination on climate finance matters;
• Serve as the primary liaison between the CFD/PMU and key stakeholders including government agencies, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, the private sector, and community-based organisations;
• Contribute to maintaining an up-to-date database of internal and external stakeholders and support the collection, development, and dissemination of relevant climate finance information in collaboration with the Communications Officer and other PMU staff; and
• Participate in project consultations and assessments, gathering data and information to inform the coordination and prioritisation of the Kiribati Climate Financing Strategy (Country Programme) and project pipeline.

Deliverable: Activities under this task will be documented in the Inception Report (Deliverable 1), the Mid-Assignment Progress Report (Deliverable 2), and the Final Report (Deliverable 3).

Task 2: Support to the KNEG and Technical Working Groups

• Support the operational functioning of the KNEG, including reviewing its function and membership to promote its importance in climate-related decision-making;
• Assist the OB Climate Change Unit and the KNEG in ensuring that information on initiatives, projects, and relevant policy guidance is packaged and presented clearly for meetings;
• Provide support to the KNEG TWGs to effectively bring project ideas forward for discussion and further development through the climate finance pipeline; and
• Facilitate and coordinate climate finance discussions, meetings, and workshops between KNEG members and other key stakeholders.
• The Consultant's support to the KNEG will focus primarily on the Climate Finance Technical Working Group and on facilitating pipeline discussions across other TWGs when climate finance proposals or project ideas are under consideration. This role is complementary to and does not duplicate the functions of the KNEG Secretariat.
• Provide support to the DCC Secretariat by ensuring that information, initiatives and projects are reviewed against climate finance investment frameworks.
• Enhance coordination between DCC Secretariat and CFD by facilitating transfer of information of climate finance relevance.

Deliverable: Activities under this task will be documented in the Mid-Assignment Progress Report (Deliverable 2) and the Final Report (Deliverable 3), including meeting records, attendance lists, and a summary of project ideas progressed through the pipeline.

Task 3: Communications and Visibility

• Support the CFD and OB in raising the visibility of the KNEG through targeted communication campaigns and stakeholder engagement sessions;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a Communication Strategy to engage and raise awareness of climate finance opportunities among relevant stakeholders; and
• Support KNEG to seek national approval (at DCC level) for climate finance proposals and concept notes.

Deliverable: Communications materials produced and stakeholder engagement activities undertaken will be annexed to the Final Report (Deliverable 3).

Task 4: Project Reporting and Closure Support

• Maintain all necessary information and documentation on the development of readiness activities to provide timely project updates to the Project Manager and relevant internal stakeholders;
• Assist the Project Manager in completing quarterly, yearly, and final progress reports for the GCF Readiness 2 Project; and
• Support project closure activities in line with GCF and GGGI requirements prior to 31 December 2026.

Deliverable: This task feeds directly into all three deliverables: the Inception Report (Deliverable 1), the Mid-Assignment Progress Report (Deliverable 2), and the Final Report (Deliverable 3).

DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

The consultant will be allocated working days spread over 6 months to complete the assignment with engagements and consultations with the CFD and the government’s key committees/technical working groups and partners. The Consultancy is expected to commence immediately after contract signing. Other reporting requirements are also noted below. The following deliverables and work schedule is proposed:

#

Deliverables

KPI for each deliverable

Payment

Duration

1

Inception Report

A brief work plan setting out the Consultant's approach, priorities, and schedule for the assignment, including a stakeholder mapping update.

Approved inception report with clear workplan and stakeholder mapping

30%

Within 1 month of signing the contract

2

Mid-Assignment Progress Report

A progress report documenting: stakeholder coordination activities undertaken; KNEG and TWG meetings facilitated; communications and visibility activities; and any emerging issues or risks.

Progress report with evidence of activities (meeting records, attendance lists with gender disaggregation, stakeholder engagement logs)

Evidence must include records of a minimum of two KNEG or TWG meetings facilitated and at least three stakeholder coordination interactions (meetings, written communications, or consultations) during the reporting period.

30%

At the midpoint of the assignment (approx. month 3)

3

Final Report

A comprehensive final report summarising all coordination, communication, and stakeholder engagement activities, outcomes achieved, challenges encountered, and recommendations for sustaining climate finance coordination mechanisms beyond the project. Supporting documentation to be annexed.

Approved final report with all supporting annexes (meeting records, stakeholder database update, communications materials produced, pipeline/project ideas documented)

40%

Within 6 months of signing the contract

REPORTING AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• The consultant is expected to work under the general guidance of the GGGI Project Manager and other GGGI staff in collaboration with the Climate Finance Division, MFED. She/he is expected to have a weekly update for the duration of the contract,
• The Consultant is to provide his/her own equipment to produce all deliverables,
• The Consultant shall submit the Final Report which should reflect the outcome of all activities prepared by the consultant. The report should also give recommendations for further activities to be carried out in order to secure long-term sustainable financing.
• All relevant technical papers, reports, and other documents prepared from the start to the end of the assignment shall be attached to the Final Report,
• The Consultant shall submit the report in both hard copies and electronic versions readable by a Microsoft Office application,
• All outputs must be in English with report format, fonts, icons and photos approved prior to usage.
• Final report must be approved by GGGI with the agreement of the Ministry of Finance & Economic Development and the CFD.
• The duration dates refer to dates with final/approved deliverables and not draft documents,
• The Consultant shall consider the comments and necessary revisions proposed. Within 14 days from the receipt of the comments or modification proposal from the GGGI, the Consultant shall prepare and submit the final versions of the report and training modules.
• The consultancy fee includes all costs associated with the assignment, including travel, accommodation, meals, local transportation, communication and any other personal or professional expenses; no additional reimbursements will be provided.

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

This assignment requires a local individual consultant with the following qualifications and experience:

Qualifications and skills

• 5- 8 years relevant experience in one or more professional disciplines with a Masters degree, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience in a relevant field such as development studies, climate change, natural resources management, business administration, economics or similar field.
• Proficiency in both written and spoken I-Kiribati is required; and
• Proficiency in English (written and oral) is required.

General professional experience

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of climate finance and GCF processes is required.
• Knowledge and understanding of climate change related issues in Kiribati or the Pacific are preferred.
• Proven track record in stakeholder coordination, facilitation, and engagement in climate change, environment, or natural resource management at the national level;
• Experience working with government bodies, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, and/or private sector entities in Kiribati;
• Good understanding of the governance and institutional landscape in Kiribati, including the roles and functions of key bodies such as the KNEG and relevant ministries;
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills, with an established professional network within Kiribati; and
• Excellent written and oral communication and facilitation skills.

Functional Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to meet tight deadlines;
• Innovative thinker with the ability to identify opportunities and solutions across different sectors;
• Strong teamwork and creative problem-solving abilities;
• Outstanding consensus-building and client relationship skills; and
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and familiarity with online tools such as Teams and Zoom.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Date to close is Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered Application. Cover Letter, and CV must be sent in English. A consortium, or a firm may not be engaged for the individual consultant assignment.

Contract Duration: Commencing immediately upon contract signing, ending on 31 December 2026
Total Fees: USD24,000

Child protection – 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.