In Sri Lanka, GGGI is partnering with the Climate Change Secretariat (CCS) of the Ministry of Environment (MoE) to implement the GCF Readiness project “Mobilizing International and Domestic Climate Finance and Private Investments for Climate Resilience in Sri Lanka”. The project enhances institutional capacities at the national and provincial levels, strengthens frameworks for climate finance mobilization, and fosters private sector engagement in climate-resilient investments. 

Building on the earlier GCF-funded National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Readiness project, which supported the preparation of Sri Lanka’s revised NAP (2026–2035) and nine Provincial Adaptation Plans (PAPs), this phase focuses on operationalizing adaptation priorities and embedding gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) in climate finance and governance systems. 
 
Women, youth, and other vulnerable groups in Sri Lanka experience climate impacts in distinct ways, yet their perspectives are not always fully reflected in decision-making and access to climate finance. Institutions at both national and provincial levels are still developing the capacity and tools to effectively integrate gender and social inclusion into adaptation planning and financing strategies. In parallel, financial institutions and private sector actors would benefit from additional guidance on applying GESI principles within sustainable banking practices, including Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS) and green credit instruments. 
 
The GESI Expert Consultant will provide technical leadership in mainstreaming gender and social inclusion across all project components. This includes on-the-job mentoring for government institutions, developing training modules and workshops, supporting the integration of GESI in provincial statutes and policies, and advising financial institutions on embedding gender-responsive approaches in their sustainable finance frameworks. 
 
The GESI Expert’s work will complement other technical consultants under the project; including those on policy, legal, adaptation, and digital systems, to ensure that gender and social inclusion are mainstreamed across all project deliverables and institutional processes. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT 

The GESI Expert Consultant will: 

• Under the supervision of the GGGI Program and Institutional Officer, provide technical assistance for on-the-job mentoring of the NDA and Ministry of Environment, focusing on enhancing institutional capacity for gender-responsive climate finance mechanisms and the localization of GESI principles within provincial and local climate action plans. 

• Provide technical input to design an online training module focused on mainstreaming GESI into local adaptation planning, including gender-responsive climate finance and budgeting for provincial stakeholders including PCUs and SCCs. Ensure training materials emphasize practical applications for provincial stakeholders. 

• Support the design and implementation of capacity-building workshops at the national, provincial level and a selected Local Authority (municipal or urban council) level aimed at strengthening stakeholders' technical understanding of GESI mainstreaming in climate finance, pipeline development, and policy integration, with a focus on practical implementation. 

• Deliver 1–2 online follow-up training sessions for Sectoral Climate Cells (SCCs), Provincial Climate Units (PCUs), and selected Local Authority focusing on enhancing their skills in project proposal writing and providing technical guidance to ensure proposals include gender-responsive and socially inclusive components aligned with climate finance requirements. 

• Provide technical support in revising provincial statutes and policies to mandate the institutionalization of GESI in climate action and development plans, ensuring policy frameworks reflect long-term commitments to gender equity and social inclusion in climate governance. 

• Provide guidance to Local Financial Institutions (LFIs) on embedding gender-responsive approaches within sustainable banking practices, particularly in the development of green credit instruments, ESMS, and compliance with international environmental and social safeguard standards, closely working with sustainable banking consultant. 

• Collaborate with the Climate Policy Expert, Legal Consultant, Local Adaptation Expert, and IT Consultant to ensure gender-responsive integration across project outputs, including statutes, policy frameworks, and digital training tools. 

DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

EXPERTISE REQUIRED 

Education & Professional Experience 

• Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Environmental Science, Climate Finance, or related fields, with a focus on GESI. 

• Minimum 5-8 years of experience in gender mainstreaming within climate finance, sustainable development, or environmental governance, particularly in policy development and capacity building. 

• Technical expertise in GESI frameworks and international gender standards, such as those of the GCF and UNFCCC. 

• Experience in designing and implementing capacity-building programs, particularly in gender-responsive climate finance or adaptation planning. 

Functional 

• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement across government, private sector, and civil society, with strong coordination and facilitation skills. 

• Knowledge of climate adaptation and finance frameworks is an advantage. 

• Knowledge of sustainable banking and green finance instruments and how to integrate gender-responsive approaches is an advantage. 

• Strong analytical, communication, and technical writing skills, with a track record of producing high-quality guidelines, training materials, and reports. 

• Proactive, punctual, and able to meet deadlines under pressure.