Background. 

The Green Climate Fund (“the GCF”) is a multilateral fund created to make a significant and ambitious contribution to the global efforts towards attaining the goals set by the international community, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to combat climate change.
The GCF aims to promote the paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways by providing support to developing countries to limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change, considering the needs of those developing countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
The GCF is governed by a Board, composed of an equal number of members from developed and developing countries. The GCF is operated by an independent Secretariat headed by an Executive Director and pursues a country-driven approach in its operations. The OPM currently oversees all GCF projects and activities after first disbursement through project completion. It supports operational units through the review, implementation, monitoring and evaluation aspects of mitigation and adaptation projects that are focused on funding proposals, readiness projects and national adaptation plans. The OPM also gets support from the finance unit in reviewing financial reports and requests for projects under implementation.
The GCF is seeking the services of a consultant to assist the Office of Portfolio Management (OPM) and the finance unit to review and streamline processes and procedures for the readiness program; reviewing reports and processing requests for disbursements, extensions, budget reallocations, cancellations etc.; and following up on required action with National Designated Authorities (NDA), Delivery Partners (DPs), and internal divisions to improve and strengthen the performance of the readiness program.
 

Role.

The consultants will, in consultation with OPM and other internal divisions/units, provide timely review and update of processes, procedures, tools and guidelines for managing Readiness Portfolio under implementation. They will also review reports and requests from Readiness portfolio grantees and make appropriate recommendat ions for follow-up actions/improvements. The consultants will be reporting to the OPM Senior Portfolio Manager a.i.

Duties and responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Head of OPM and under the supervision of the Senior Portfolio Manager a.i., the consultant will be responsible for, but not limited to:

•  Update of procedures, tools, templates, and guidelines for managing Readiness Portfolio

under implementation

• Timely and comprehensive review of reports and requests for readiness grants supporting documentation against the quality assurance and review criteria established by the Secretariat for consistency with GCF objectives, approved proposals, templates, guidelines, policies, and procedures and provide targeted and actionable feedback.
• Development and follow-up on actions plans to improve performance and reporting based on thorough portfolio review.
• Working with other OPM colleagues, the ICT Unit, and other internal stakeholders to update/define parameters and information needed to update/automate report submission and analysis to reduce the time demands on the staff, increase efficiency, and facilitate tracking of performance and delivery of readiness results.
•  Collaborating with various internal divisions and units to develop and implement an alert system to flag key actions and performance issues for grants under implementation to both internal stakeholders as well as DPs/NDAs e.g., grants nearing expiration, expired grants, disbursement and reporting delays, reports coming due, etc.
•  Engage and participate in virtual and physical meetings to provide feedback to and discuss with DPs, NDAs and internal stakeholders on actions and measures required to improve portfolio performance and/or ensure compliance with Fund terms and conditions including extension/ closure/cancellation or restructuring of grants.
• Conduct performance analysis of grants from start of implementation to date and make recommendations on how to improve results and performance tracking.
• Contribute to documentation and development of knowledge products including case studies and lessons learnt from implementation to date for internal and wider external dissemination. Support preparation of presentations and briefs for senior management as well as for sharing with internal and external stakeholders as may be required.
•  Participate in portfolio reviews and where needed in ad-hoc check missions for projects under implementation.
• Perform other tasks as deemed necessary by the Senior Portfolio Manager a.i.

Deliverables

• Updated processes, procedures, tools, and guidelines, etc. for managing Readiness Portfolio under implementation including for disbursement, extensions, budget reallocations, change of signatories, etc.
• At least 30 reports reviewed and analyzed for or consistency with GCF objectives, approved proposals, templates, guidelines, policies, and procedures and at least 30 corresponding review sheets with clear recommendations and targeted and actionable feedback and timelines.
•  At least 30 requests for extensions, reallocations and disbursements and supporting documentation reviewed against the quality assurance and review criteria established by the Secretariat.
•  Briefs in preparation for and minutes after feedback meetings with DPs and NDAs and internal stakeholders complemented with action plans as appropriate.
• 1 Analytical report on results from the implementation of Readiness Portfolio including achievements, gaps, lessons, and recommendations to improve results and performance tracking by amongst others, delivery partner (DP), Country, and type of support.
• At least 1 knowledge product including a case study and lessons learnt from implementation of Readiness grants.
•  Presentations and briefs for senior management and internal and external stakeholders as may be required
• Portfolio review minutes/action plans and mission reports as may be required

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Advanced degree in public policy/administration, economics, environmental sciences, development studies or other relevant fields.
•  At least 3 years of experience in project and programme design, development, and implementation, including for climate change projects and programmes, in a developing country setting.
•  Experience with design and management of capacity building, technical assistance and advisory services for governments, civil society and/or private sector actors in developing countries.
•  Experience with the processes to develop and implement national climate change policies and actions plans (including nationally determined contributions (NDCs), national adaptation plans (NAPs), low-emission development strategies (LEDS)) is highly desirable.
•  Familiarity and prior experience with providers and channels of climate finance, including the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Adaptation Fund, multilateral development banks, UN (United Nations) agencies and/or bilateral donors is an added advantage.
•  Excellent communication skills and the ability to prepare and communicate complex information at senior strategic and at technical levels as well as in written format.
•  Tact, discretion, and ability to handle sensitive situations
•  Exceptionally strong organizational skills and focus on details.
•  Ability to multi-task, work independently and meet strict deadlines.
• Unquestionable personal reputation, integrity, and ethical behavior
• Fluency in English is essential; knowledge of French, Spanish, Portuguese, or another UN language is an advantage.
   

• Closing date for the application is 10 August 2021 23.59 (KST). Application received after the closing date may not be considered.
• The position is a remote-based position for an initial five- month period.
• Please indicate your earliest availability to take up assignment, and notice-period required, if employed.
• Applications from women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged.