NATIONAL CARBON MARKETS CONSULTANT

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. 

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.

In 2024 GGGI launched the Carbon Transaction Facility (CTF), GGGI’s programmatic approach to scaling up international carbon trading under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. CTF encompasses the Article 6 Readiness Facility and multiple carbon funds. The Readiness Facility is a multi-donor fund providing technical assistance and capacity building for Article 6 implementation in potential host countries. The carbon funds seek to channel carbon finance to developing countries through the purchase of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) generated from mitigation activities implemented in GGGI Member and Partner host countries. More information on the CTF is available in this brochure.

The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has placed climate mitigation and adaptation at the core of its national development strategy. Climate change poses a significant economic threat to the country, with estimates suggesting it could cost Cambodia approximately 1% of GDP annually over the next decade and potentially erase economic gains by 2050. To meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments, Cambodia has identified a financing need of approximately USD 7.8 billion. To help address this significant funding gap, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) has prioritized access to carbon finance, particularly through Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, as outlined in its Operations Manual for the Implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in Cambodia.

To build institutional readiness for Article 6, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) supported the government between 2021 and 2023 under the Mobilizing Article 6 Trading Structures (MATS) project, funded by the Swedish Energy Agency. This support included capacity building for key institutions, including the Department of Climate Change and the Inter-Ministerial Technical Working Group on Climate Change and Environment. A major outcome of this effort was the Prime Minister's endorsement in 2023 of the Article 6 Operations Manual, which sets out Cambodia's institutional framework and procedures for authorizing, transferring, and tracking Article 6 activities.

Through its Article 6 Operations Manual, Cambodia adopted a phased engagement approach to position itself as an early mover while managing associated risks. The first phase focused on testing the newly established governance mechanisms, aligned with the Updated NDC timeline of 2023–2025. It was agreed that the second phase would focus on updating the manual based on lessons learned from pilot projects, and on ramping up Article 6 engagement across the country, aligning with the NDC 3.0 submitted in August 2025.

GGGI is supporting Cambodia in enhancing its readiness under Phase 2 over 18 months. During this period, the main activities that will be conducted are:

1. Updating the Article 6 Operations Manual to strengthen the institutional processes and governance mechanisms by incorporate lessons learned from Cambodia’s Article 6 experience during Phase 1 as well as international cases.
2. Enhancing capacity of key government officials on technical knowledge across core areas of climate change and carbon markets, including the distinction between compliance and voluntary markets, the carbon project cycle, methodology, and validation and verification requirements, Cambodia’s Article 6 Operations Manual, key contents of the Mitigation Activity Design Document (MADD), prioritizing and evaluating mitigation activities for potential trades, as well as the linkages between Article 6.2, Article 6.4, CORSIA, and voluntary carbon projects.
3. Developing 2 Mitigation Activity Idea Notes prioritized by the Cambodian government, that may be discussed with interested buyers for trade under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

A full-time consultant will ensure close coordination with the Carbon Crediting Secretariat (CCS) and relevant stakeholders, to support the Project Manager in drafting the updates required in the Article 6 Operations Manual, developing the training materials based on the capacity building plan, and coordinate with relevant government officials to organize consultation and validation meetings.

GGGI is seeking a national expert (the ‘Consultant’) to work on a day-to-day basis with the Article 6 Core Team (Carbon Crediting Secretariat, Department of Climate Change and the Gender Mainstreaming Action Group members), and the project team in the preparation and delivery of the project’s key activities from September 2026 to August 2027. The Consultant will be instrumental in drafting deliverables, preparing training materials, liaising closely with government counterparts, discussing technical details and coordinating with the technical leads as well as relevant stakeholders on development of the MAINs prioritized.

The scope of work is summarized below:

Technical services

Update on Article 6 Operations Manual:

• Support PM in drafting content regarding updating the six areas identified under the PIN through close consultations with the Article 6 Core Team. The areas that have been identified are:
  • Strengthening institutional mechanisms for Article 6 processes (cycle) and reporting (initial reporting, annual and regular information) to the UNFCCC.
  • Updating the eligibility criteria, including strengthening the positive list, environmental integrity requirements for Cambodia, and authorization processes based on the intended use of mitigation outcomes, including use towards NDCs and other international mitigation purposes (OIMP).
  • Updating the requirements for share of credits within the Article 6 Operations Manual.
  • Updating the fee structure, as required, and supporting the government in publishing the updated fee structure to increase transparency.
• The Consultant will support desk research and literature review, liaising closely with the Carbon Technical Desk on case studies and lessons learned from other countries that can support development of the focus areas identified above, and any other areas that are prioritized by the Article 6 Core Team.

Capacity building on Article 6:

• Support the PM in drafting presentation materials, liaising closely with the Carbon Finance Department in GGGI HQ.
• Conduct desk research, where required to support development of materials required for the capacity building activities.
• Coordinate with the Article 6 Core Team to finalize and organize dedicated meeting sessions, timings, participation, etc.
• Support the PM in sharing documentation with the Article 6 Core Team, ensuring that all participants are informed and have access to the documents.

MAIN Origination and Development:

• Support the PM in developing an inventory of project ideas that will be pitched to Article 6 Core Team for prioritization.
• Support the PM in developing a list of criteria that will be presented to the Article 6 Core Team for approval.
• Develop a multi-criteria decision-making matrix to present to the Article 6 Core Team to support decision making and prioritization of the ideas for MAIN development.
• Liaise with technical leads, based on the project prioritized, for information that is required for development of the MAINs.
• Identify stakeholders important for the project prioritized, in order to support the PM in conducting stakeholder consultations.
• Support in collecting information or data, through desk research or liaison with relevant public or private sector entities, to address data gaps in the project prioritized.

Coordination support

• Capacity development workshops, validation/policy discussion workshops: With the project manager, develop the concept notes and plan the technical content of workshops; identify relevant speakers and collaborations with development partners, where relevant; coordinate with Carbon Finance Department in GGGI HQ as well as country operations team on logistics and assist with the organization of events as required; as relevant, and as per the Consultant's ability, deliver specific agenda items in workshops, such as technical sessions on carbon markets.
• Support in taking notes during meetings and drafting meeting minutes for all key meetings.
• Support in conducting post-workshop surveys ensuring as many stakeholders as possible respond to the survey.
• Missions plan: support the preparation of the key GGGI officials’ mission plans, identifying and arranging relevant meetings.

This assignment runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027, covering 12 months and an estimated 216 working days. GGGI shall pay the Consultant on a monthly basis for the actual number of days worked in a calendar month according to the terms and conditions of the Contract and upon certification by the supervising officer in GGGI that the services have been satisfactorily performed. The Consultant shall submit a monthly invoice to GGGI at the beginning of each month for the days worked in the previous month using the template provided.

The Consultant shall be an expert in Cambodia's climate policy. Selection will be undertaken using the criteria below:

• Master's degree in climate change, environmental policy, development policy, or another closely related field. Bachelor's degrees with two additional years of work experience can also be considered.
• A minimum of 5 years of direct work experience in national climate/environmental policy in Cambodia.
• Extensive experience in working closely with the Government of Cambodia on carbon markets is desirable.
• Clear understanding of Cambodia's legal system and regulations is required.
• Experience working as a staff or consultant for international organizations is desirable.
• Work experience in carbon markets is recommended.

To apply for this position, please provide the following:

• A cover letter of no more than a page or 500 words expressing your interest and motivation in the position. In the cover letter, candidates are expected to specify a daily rate and proposed number of days worked.
• A CV (of no more than two pages) detailing educational background and professional experiences. Note: the CV should provide at least two references which the recruitment team may contact.

The selection process will include short-listing of candidates based on each candidate’s CV and cover letter followed by an interview with the Project Manager.

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.