Technical Support Bioeconomy Companies (Antioquia Governorate Calls) Antioquia

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: CO038-E1 Just Rural Transition in Colombia – Bio Rural – CO048 Antioquia Biocompetitiva

• Output: CO038-E1-3 (5.000 USD) and CO048- E1-1 (6.000 USD)

• Duty Station: Medellín (Colombia)

• Contract Duration: (15) June 2026 - (29) March 2027

• Number of Workdays Estimated (internal purpose only): 191 days– deliverable based

• Consultant: Level 1

• Total Fees: Up to USD 11,000 

PROJECT BACKGROUND

GGGI works in partnership with countries around the world to strengthen their capacity and advance green growth policies and investments that can positively impact the lives of millions of people. The organization collaborates with national governments, multilateral institutions, public agencies, and the private sector to support the development of economies that are robust, resource-efficient, low-carbon, and resilient to climate change.

GGGI implements a diverse portfolio of programs across developing countries. Through these in-country initiatives, complemented by global products and services, the organization delivers results through an integrated approach that combines evidence-based policy planning, technical assistance, and investment facilitation, aligned with national development priorities. GGGI also promotes knowledge generation and management activities that strengthen the theoretical and empirical foundations of green growth, provide practical guidance for policymakers, and help create enabling conditions for both public and private green investments.

In Colombia, GGGI has been working closely with the national government since 2014 to advance green growth policies and investments. The organization has established strategic partnerships with institutions such as the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, and the National Planning Department (DNP), among others.

Through this collaboration, GGGI supported the National Planning Department in developing Colombia’s vision and transition pathway toward green growth. Between 2016 and 2018, GGGI contributed to the establishment and technical work of the Green Growth Taskforce, which generated the analytical foundations for the formulation and adoption of Colombia’s Green Growth Policy (CONPES 3934 of 2018).

One of the strategic pillars of the Green Growth Policy focuses on promoting the sustainable use of natural capital. Within this pillar, the bioeconomy has been identified as a key strategy to accelerate the transition toward a low-carbon economy by generating value-added products, processes, and services based on the sustainable use of biodiversity and biomass. In this context, GGGI supported the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MinCiencias), the National Planning Department, and other stakeholders in the technical design and multi-stakeholder consultation process that led to the formulation of the National Bioeconomy Mission “Para una Colombia Potencia Viva y Diversa: hacia una sociedad impulsada por el conocimiento.”

Within the framework of the UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) Bio Rural Project (2024–2027), the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the Government of Antioquia, and the Caja de Compensación Familiar de Antioquia – COMFAMA signed Special Cooperation Agreement No. 4600019054 to implement the initiative “Antioquia BioCompetitiva.” The project seeks to accelerate the scaling of innovative bioeconomy solutions in the Department of Antioquia through two strategic components:

I. Promoting knowledge transfer and capacity-building processes, with a focus on circular bioeconomy and the internationalization of bioproducts.

II. Strengthening productive, technological, and commercial capacities within the department through an integrated value-chain development approach.

Under the second component, three calls for proposals will be implemented to accelerate the development of the bioeconomy ecosystem while strengthening strategic value chains in the department. These calls include:

1. Bioeconomy acceleration support for microenterprises affiliated with COMFAMA.

2. Investment scaling support for four companies linked to bioeconomy value chains.

3. MAPBIO Antioquia Edition.

Within this framework, GGGI is recruiting an individual consultant to provide technical assistance to the bioeconomy enterprises selected under the calls: 2. Investment scaling support for four companies linked to bioeconomy value chains and 3. MAPBIO Antioquia Edition. The consultant will support the implementation, monitoring, and documentation of the technical assistance activities delivered to beneficiary companies.

The role will contribute to the effective implementation of project activities in close coordination with the GGGI Colombia administrative team and in collaboration with key subnational stakeholders, particularly within the Department of Antioquia.

The objective of the consultancy is to provide technical and operational support for the implementation, monitoring, and documentation of the “Investment scaling support for four companies linked to bioeconomy value chains and MAPBIO Antioquia Edition” calls under the Antioquia BioCompetitiva project, contributing to the strengthening of productive, commercial, and organizational capacities of beneficiary enterprises, while supporting the consolidation of sustainable and competitive bioeconomy value chains in the Department of Antioquia.

The individual consultant will support the activities implemented under the Bio Rural and the Antioquia BioCompetitiva Projects, contributing to data management, technical research, and operational implementation activities.  The role will also involve supporting the preparation of meetings, communications materials, and logistical arrangements for project activities.

The assignment includes, but is not limited to, the following tasks:

Support the implementation of the acceleration program

• Support the execution of technical assistance activities for the selected bioeconomy companies.

• Facilitate communication and articulation between beneficiary enterprises, technical experts, Antioquia Governorate, COMFAMA, and GGGI.

• Monitor compliance with agreed workplans, timelines, and technical milestones.

Conduct technical follow-up and monitoring

• Track the progress of each beneficiary enterprise throughout the acceleration process.

• Identify implementation bottlenecks, risks, and technical support needs, proposing corrective actions when required.

• Systematize information and maintain updated monitoring records for all participating enterprises.

Support value-chain strengthening processes

• Identify opportunities to strengthen productive, commercial, and innovation linkages within bioeconomy value chains.

• Support beneficiary enterprises in identifying opportunities related to commercialization, partnerships, financing, or market access.

Document technical assistance processes and results

• Prepare technical progress reports documenting implemented activities, beneficiary participation, challenges, lessons learned, and preliminary results.

• Develop success stories, case studies, or visibility materials highlighting the impact of the investment scaling support and MAPBIO Antioquia Edition programs.

Support coordination and reporting requirements

• Participate in coordination meetings with GGGI, COMFAMA, Antioquia Governorate, and relevant stakeholders.

• Support the preparation of inputs required for donor reporting, monitoring frameworks, and project communication materials.

Deliverables, timeline, and payments                                                                                                                         

The Consultancy reports to the Sustainable Finance Officer, under the technical guidance provided by the Sustainable Landscapes Officer. The consultant's work progress will be monitored primarily through periodic review meetings for planning and monthly  short face-to-face (or virtual) meetings for prioritizing activities, all of that previous consensus with the Contract Supervisor. In this review, meetings will tackle subjects such as the overview of the contractual objectives, the development of activities, detailed information milestones, actual achievements made against the timeline initially set, and any other relevant progress details. 

All Deliverables will be produced in Spanish, by GGGI's formatting requirements, and submitted with proof of editable file back-up (e.g., .docx, .pptx) in the GGGI SharePoint system. Where relevant, the consultant shall also provide raw data sets, research materials, and meeting notes related to the contractual objective.

The Global Green Growth Institute ("GGGI") is committed to transparency, accountability, and openness in the organization. In case of any doubt, please refer to our Whistle Blower policy in the link: http://gggi.org/site/assets/uploads/2017/11/Whistleblower-Policy_02072015.pdf   

SUGGESTED METHODOLOGY AND COMPETENCE REQUIREMENTS

• The consultant should follow the specific methods provided by the Contract Supervisor.

• The consultant will best use both primary and secondary sources of information to develop activities defined under the contract objective.

• The consultant will be responsible for providing transparent financial information regarding expenses incurred for conducting field visits, orientation meetings, webinars, or workshops. 

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

• (Mandatory) Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Economics, Foreign Trade / International Business, Environmental / Forestry / Biological / Agroindustrial Engineering

• (Mandatory) At least two (2) years in roles related to any of the following: productive development, entrepreneurship and innovation, bioproducts / bioinputs / agribusiness / food / biotech, special value chains, commercial scaling, accompaniment to SMEs or entrepreneurship, exports or commercial soft-landing or project management.

• Demonstrable experience of at least two (2) year in activities such as: Strengthening companies in legal and tax formalization, INVIMA, ICA, Green Business, MADS, MADR, MinCiencias, bioinputs or other sectoral procedures, Institutional articulation (MinAmbiente, MinCiencias, ProColombia, Chambers of Commerce, Governorships).

• Desirable (not mandatory): Short training in acceleration, entrepreneurship, ProColombia, iNNpulsa, chambers of commerce, innovation hubs, etc.

• Working knowledge of English, with the ability to read and understand technical documents.

• Ability to manage business growth indicators and/or MEL, Relationship with innovation ecosystems (incubators, accelerators, universities)

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

• Ability to work under pressure and adapt flexibly to evolving project needs and priorities.

• Willingness for occasional travels to rural areas in Colombia.

• Selection method / process: Open Competition.

• Timeline of the selection: CV reception for 7 days, consulting starts on June 15.

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

GGGI as an institution abides by its project-level Sustainability and Safeguards Rules (SSR) for all projects aligned with international standards for Environmental and Social Safeguards. The SSR is aligned with commonly recognized international standards for Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS), i.e. the WB Performance Standard, that ensure project level safeguarding of communities and people impacted by GGGI activities. GGGI has integrated project level Environmental and Social Safeguards into its Project Cycle Management (PCM) with mandatory Preliminary Gender and Social Assessments and ESS Screening of all projects to identify and manage risks.

In addition, GGGI's Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy 2021-2025 provides a framework toward achieving the principle of "Leaving No One Behind" in the transformation towards green growth, guiding GGGI's approaches to the mainstreaming of gender equality and poverty reduction in GGGI Colombia's Program. This also includes the implementation of the GGGI Gender Equality and Poverty Reduction Policy Markers on all projects. GGGI's Corporate Results Framework requires gender disaggregated indicators for participation in GGGI Capacity Building events.

GGGI's Child Protection Rules and GGGI Rules on Sexual Exploitation ensure safeguarding of children impacted by GGGI activities or in contact with GGGI contracted personnel, with GGGI taking a zero-tolerance approach to child exploitation. 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. All procedures mentioned above are accompanied by guidelines and capacity building efforts. GGGI also provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. GGGI promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.

All GGGI's policies are available for open consultation under the following link: https://gggi.org/policy-documents/

GGGI is committed to apply transparency and accountability in its decisions and actions, and to practice integrity in all aspects of its operations. GGGI’s anti-corruption policy establishes zero tolerance for corruption and fraudulent, coercive, and collusive practices in GGGI’s operations. The whistleblowing policy is available at the following link https://gggi.org/site/assets/uploads/2017/11/Whistleblower-Policy_02072015.pdf

In addition, all GGGI’s policies are available for open consultation under the following link: https://gggi.org/policy-documents/

Lastly, within the framework of UK PACT Colombia's projects with GGGI and their respective activities, the following reporting channels from FCDO (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) are available to GGGI suppliers and consultants:

• reportingconcerns@fcdo.gov.uk: to report any case of fraud or theft (whether proven or suspected).

• reportingconcerns@fcdo.gov.uk: to report any credible suspicions of or actual incidents of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment related.