CREATING PATHWAYS FOR INCLUSIVE & GENDER RESPONSIVE CLIMATE FINANCE

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. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Project:  Creating Pathways for Inclusive & Gender Responsive Climate Finance
• Duty Station: Remote (Home based)
• Contract Duration: 15 May 2024- 30 October 2024

To guide a shift towards sustainable recovery across the African continent, the African Union  (AU) Heads of State and Government adopted in February 2022, the AU Green Recovery Action Plan (GRAP 2021-2027). The AU GRAP focuses on Five (5) key thematic areas: Climate Finance, Clean Energy, Nature Based Solutions, Sustainable Agriculture, and Green and Resilient Cities with a focus on Water and provides a framework for sustainable economic recovery from the pandemic. The development of the AU-GRAP took into consideration the African Union Strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE), which encompasses matters concerning economic empowerment, particularly ensuring that women’s voices are amplified, and their concerns are fully addressed through effective implementation of legislation and proper financing of gender equality work. This process also considered other regional protocols to ensure alignment with AU member states’ commitments.

In collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) will take a gender-responsive approach to help operationalize the GRAP through the Transformative Climate Finance Program (TCFP). In collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) will take a gender-responsive approach to help operationalize the GRAP through the Transformative Climate Finance Program (TCFP) funded through Global Affairs Canada.

The TCFP is being piloted in 7 African Union Member States and 3 Regional Economic Communities (RECs). The TCFP will specifically target the challenges exacerbating the marginalization of women and youth in accessing climate finance. The implementation of the TCFP will be conducted in reference to the following three outcome areas:

• Strengthening the AUC’s ability to implement the AU GRAP
• Enhancing skills of national and regional policymakers to develop inclusive green growth policies, plans and programs in alignment with their nationally determined contributions and climate change strategies
• Improving the ability for governments and partners to access climate finance for Africa’s green recovery, aimed at initiatives that support women and youth

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Indigenous communities, women and youth are among those most affected by climate change while contributing the least to its causes. Ensuring equitable access to climate financing recognizes the disproportionate consequences of climate change and addresses historical injustices; by providing fair access to the resources required to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Indigenous communities possess valuable traditional knowledge that can be used to support sustainable environmental management and climate change adaptation strategies. Facilitating their access to climate finance not only helps to preserve knowledge and expertise, but also contributes to wider climate change solutions, increasing its effectiveness and sustainability.

Indigenous people, particularly women in rural areas, play crucial roles in the most vulnerable sectors to climate change, such as agriculture and water management. Targeted climate finance allows them to take the lead in adaptation and mitigation initiatives, thereby increasing community resilience to climate effects, improving lives, reducing poverty, and providing better social and economic outcomes. Nevertheless, access to funding remains a significant obstacle to impactful climate actions, notably initiatives led by women and youth. Women and youth bring innovative and sustainable solutions to climate change issues, but they face substantial barriers in obtaining the financial resources required to put their ideas into action.

In light of the above-mentioned challenges and barriers faced by women and youth, GGGI intends to engage a consultancy firm to launch a series of case studies across member states and RECs—to explore the challenges, successes, and opportunities to increasing access to finance for women and youth-led climate action. The culmination of the case studies will support the development of a comprehensive training module for women, youth, marginalized communities, and policymakers, which will include insights and lessons learned, aimed at empowering women and youth recognizing their critical contributions to climate actions, and equipping them with the knowledge, resources, and tools to navigate climate financing mechanisms successfully. The following are the key areas that the case study will address:

1. Examine and document women's and youth's experiences accessing funding for climate actions
2. Identify challenges, barriers, enablers, and best practices in accessing climate finance
3. Develop a training module based on the case studies with practical ideas, best practices, and recommendations in accessing climate finance for women and youth-led projects.

1. Case Study Development:

• In consultation with focal persons from the 7 Member States and 3 RECs, identify and select case studies, each addressing women and youth-led climate actions, with a particular focus on their experiences accessing finance.
• Integrate a diverse range of initiatives in the selection of the case studies in terms of scale, scope, and geographical locations (urban/rural).
• Collect key lessons learned and entry points for policymakers, financial institutions, and other pertinent stakeholders to consider enhancing equitable access to climate finance.

2. Analysis of Findings:

• Analyse the case studies in reference to women and youth’s experiences in applying for funding and the strategies that they might have used to overcome any identified barriers.
• Develop a report completing the case studies and highlighting common challenges, success stories, essential lessons, and key recommendations for women's and youth-access to climate finance initiatives.
• Develop an informative and participatory training module based on the context of the case studies and findings; especially needs and experiences of women and youth in climate actions.
• Develop interactive activities and practical resource materials to equip participants with the knowledge and tools about inclusive and gender responsive climate actions, proposal development and access to climate finance investment opportunities.  

3. Training Module Development:

All reports and outputs must be in English, in accordance with GGGI’s formatting requirements, and submitted in hard copy and electronic formats along with complete sets of raw data, research materials, and interview notes.   

• At least a Masters’ Degree in Gender Studies, Development Studies, or any relevant field with focus on gender, diversity, equity and inclusion, Climate Finance, Environmental Studies, Natural Resource, Economics, Agriculture, or related field or related fields.
• At least 10 years of experience in areas related to the nexus of gender and climate finance.
• Proven experience designing and undertaking situational analysis studies around the inclusion of gender and social inclusion in green growth, climate change, agriculture and/or related fields in Africa.
• A significant experience developing training modules on inclusion and gender-responsive strategies in climate actions.
• Exceptional abilities in writing reports as evidenced by significant publications in books, reports and/or journals.
• Fluency in French and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing would be an added advantage
• Strong capabilities in data collection, analysis, and synthesis to identify trends, gaps, and actionable insights. 
• Documented experience working and liaising within the African continent and/or with diverse contexts and cultures.

The followings may be included in this section: 

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Proposed one‑page work plan, indicating applicant’s understanding of the TOR; approach to the assignment; the indicative timeline to achieve deliverables.
• Presentation