REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Environment and Climate Finance Division

Climate Change and Green Growth Department

African Development Bank

Rue Jean Paul II, Plateau, CCIA, 01 BP 1387 Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire

RECRUITMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT – GCF READINESS, ACCREDITATION AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT ACTIVITIES.

Introduction :

The African Development Bank Group (the AfDB) hereby invites Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in the following Assignment: Experienced Climate Finance Specialist to support activities relevant for GCF Readiness, Accreditation and Preparatory initiatives.

The Ten-Year Strategy (TYS 2013-2022) of the AfDB focuses on two objectives: inclusive growth and the transition to green growth. The 3 key pillars of the green growth agenda are 1. Enhancing climate resilience, 2. Managing natural resources and 3. Promoting sustainable infrastructure. The AfDB is scaling up the implementation of the TYS 2013-2022 with the Hi-5s (1. Light up and Power Africa, 2. Integrate Africa, Industrialize Africa, 4. Feed Africa and 5. Improve the quality of life for Africans). The operationalization of the Hi-5s include mainstreaming low carbon and climate resilient measures in the relevant policies, programs, projects and operational activities and are captured adequately in the Second Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) from 2016-2022.

Rationale and Objective :

Enhancing direct access of countries in Africa to GCF resources will require accreditation of direct access entities, readiness activities to enhance the capacity of relevant institutions and Project Preparatory Facilities (PPFs) for the preparation of the funding proposals. The capacity of National Designated Authorities/Focal Points (NDAs/FPs) will need to be improved to enable them work with relevant national institutions including the private sector to prepare the funding proposals, implement approved funded activities and report on climate finance. African countries also have critical needs for building the capacity of institutions seeking accreditation as Direct Access Entities (DAEs) or already accredited as DAEs to help the countries mobilize GCF concessional resources at scale for climate action.

As an Accredited Entity of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the AfDB is supporting Regional Member Countries (RMCs) to mobilize GCF resources at scale towards the implementation of their NDCs. To date, AfDB has mobilized over $380 million from GCF for 7 funding proposals covering 18 RMCs in Africa. The AfDB was accredited as an International Entity to handle large size (> $250 million) funded activities with High risk (Category A/I-1) Intermediation. This will provide the opportunity to blend GCF resources with internal AfDB resources to de-risk, fund the incremental costs of climate measures and also provide the critical investments needed to execute low-carbon and climate-resilient projects in Africa. It is in pursuit of this commitment to scale up climate finance in Africa that AfDB is seeking for a consultant to coordinate Readiness, Accreditation and Preparatory support activities for RMCs.

Tasks and Deliverables :

Major Duties and responsibilities will include the following among others :

• Provide professional and technical guidance to support the AfDB Task Teams, Departments, Divisions and Regional Hubs to develop GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme designed to support countries’ engagement in partnership with the GCF and to build a pipeline of climate change projects with enhanced country ownership  ;
• Engage with AfDB RMCs in partnership with NDAs/FPs) to prepare and develop Readiness request proposal, budget and procurement plans for their respective countries ;
• Coordinate with the AfDB and GCF Legal Teams and follow up on Readiness Grant Agreements, Legal framework and disbursement agreements for the Readiness implementation by the AfDB as Delivery Partner ;
• Develop the Readiness support budget plan, procurement plan and disbursement timeline in collaboration with the GCF and the country’s NDA/FP and provide Monitoring and Reporting of Readiness Grants under the supervision of the AfDB GCF Coordinator for onward submission to the GCF secretariat ;
• Organize training workshops focusing on preparatory initiatives for RMCs, develop the training modules in collaboration with the GCF readiness support team, AfDB green growth department and the NDC Hub on how to structure financial instruments, design the activities consistent with GCF investment criteria as well as the expected outputs, outcomes and indicators relevant to specific area of focus for GCF funding proposals ;
• Provide technical assistance and advisory services to institutions seeking GCF accreditation as DAEs and those already accredited to enable them prepare and submit compelling funding proposals and to implement the approved funded activities ;
• Be part of the AfDB GCF Coordination Team, to respond to comments and requests for additional information on funding proposals by the GCF, monitor GCF requirements and outstanding issues for GCF funding proposals, approved funding activities, Funding Activity Agreements (FAA) and facilitating country ownerships and No-objection processes and national implementation of funded activities. Provide any additional task that may be required by the AfDB GCF coordination team members and management.

Qualifications and experience required :

The applicant must have :

• At least a university degree at the Master level in Engineering, climate finance, Geography, Economics, Energy, Climate Change, Agriculture or in other relevant field ;
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience working in one or a combination of the following: (i) readiness support (ii) accreditation (iii) early stage preparation of adaptation and mitigation programmes and projects, and (iv) climate finance ;
• Sound understanding of the policies, strategies, rules, guidelines of Multilateral Development Banks such as AfDB ;
• Sound understanding of the current global climate finance architecture, the governing instrument of the GCF and related criteria and standards such as the Fiduciary Standards and the Investment Criteria ;
• Strong analytical, operational, conceptual and strategic skills ;
• High degree of initiative and strong record of performance with low supervisory requirements to function effectively ;
• Strong inter-personal skills and commitment to work in a team-oriented and multicultural environment ;
• Good knowledge of the Africa region with project management experience in the region ;
• Strong oral and written proficiency in English and/or French and a good command of the other.

The Climate Change and Green Growth Department is the Department for this consultant recruitment. Interested Consultants shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to undertake this Assignment (documents, reference to similar services, experience in similar assignments, etc.). The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedures shall

be in conformity with the AfDB’s procedures for the acquisition of consulting services funded by the administrative or capital expenditure budget.

Please, note that interest expressed by a Consultant does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include him/her in the shortlist.

The estimated duration of services is 12 months and the estimated starting date is October 25, 2021. Interested Individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address below during the Bank’s working hours: 8h00 to 17h00.

Expressions of interest must be received at the address below no later than Friday, September 24, 2021 at 17h00 local time and specifically mentioning GCF READINESS, ACCREDITATION AND PREPARATORY SUPPORT ACTIVITIES.

Establishment of the short list :

A shortlist of three to six individual consultants will be established at the end the request of expressions of interest. The consultants on the shortlist will be judged on the following criteria on the basis of their updated resume.

For the attention of :

Dr. Timothy Afful-Koomson,

Chief Climate Finance Officer.

Climate Change and Green Growth Department

African Development Bank

Rue Jean Paul II, Plateau, Imm. CCIA, 01 BP 1387 Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire

Tel : +225 20 26 4622 ; Cell : +225 7730 5006

Email : t.afful-koomson@AFDB.ORG