Background
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is the worldโs largest dedicated climate fund serving developing countries. Established as an operating entity of the Financial Mechanism of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), GCF is guided by the principles and provisions of the UNFCCC, the goals of the Paris Agreement, and the objectives and guiding principles set out in the organizationโs Governing Instrument.
The Governing Instrument sets out that the GCF will pursue and provide access to funding through a country-driven approach and that its operational modalities will be consistent with a country-driven approach. Country ownership policies set out the principles and processes through which GCF will seek to operationalize a country-driven approach. They elaborate guidance on the establishment of Nationally Designated Authorities (NDA) and focal points, the establishment of a no-objection procedure, the development of country programmes, and the conduct of country coordination, in addition to setting out overall guidelines for country ownership intended to guide the GCF, developing countries and partners.
The GCF intends to assess implementation and effectiveness of its country ownership policy framework and related operational modalities to identify gaps, strengthen implementation and propose revisions as appropriate.
The purpose of the Fund is โto make a significant and ambitious contribution to the global efforts toward attaining the goals set by the international community to combat climate change.โ In the context of sustainable development, GCF promotes the paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways, considering the needs of those developing countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. It channels new, additional, adequate, and predictable financial resources to developing countries and catalyzes climate finance, both public and private, and at the international and national levels. It pursues a country-driven approach and promotes and strengthens engagement at the country level through the effective involvement of relevant institutions and stakeholders.
GCF is fundamentally a partnership institution working with countries and through partners to deliver climate results. The GCF works for over 120 developing countries, supporting them in raising and realizing their ambitions to address climate change. It does so by funding priority actions, projects, and programmes identified in their GF country programmes in support of achieving the goals set out in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs), national adaptation plans (NAPs), and other national climate strategies and plans. The GCF works in these countries through a network of 121 accredited entities (AEs) (63 direct access (national), 14 direct access (regional), and 44 international access) to deliver projects and programmes, and 159 delivery partners to provide readiness and preparatory support. These AEs and delivery partners span national, regional, and international banks and other financial institutions, UN agencies, conservation organizations, impact investors and equity funds, government agencies, regional institutions, civil society organizations, and others. The GCF also works with a diverse range of other institutions to deliver knowledge products, organize joint events, and share information and lessons learned to build the brand of GCF. These partners are united by a common interest and a collective responsibility to ensure that the international goals to combat climate change are addressed.
Purpose of the Assignment
The Fund seeks to engage a Policy Consultant to undertake review of the country ownership policy framework, its implementation up to GCF-2 and propose updated policy framework. While parts of the assignment may be performed remotely, it is expected that due to the nature of the assignment the Consultant will travel to work in person with the team at GCF headquarters in Songdo, Republic of Korea, especially in the build-up to relevant Board meetings.
a. GCFโs country ownership policy process.
The Consultant will review the relevant Board decisions, policies, guidance notes and earlier work on country ownership to propose an updated policy framework:
i. B.10/10 sets out an approach to strengthen the role of NDA/focal points in establishing country ownership.
ii. B.08/10 (c). Sets out best practice guidelines for the establishment of NDAs/focal points.
iii. B.08/10 (d). Sets out best practice options for country coordination and multi-stakeholder engagement.
iv. B.08/11. Sets out initial general guidelines for country programmes (now country platforms- need to explain rationale and approach for the transition and how it will be operationalized or align platforms with multi stakeholder engagement outlined under (iii) above- depending on what would serve countries best).
v. B.17/21. Sets out guidelines for enhanced country ownership and country drivenness, covering guiding principles, role of country programmes and structured dialogues, role of country ownership in the Fund's operating modalities, and evaluation.
vi. B.08/10 (b) and updated by decision B.41/02. Establishes the national no-objection procedure to be conducted in the context of the consideration of Funding Proposals.
b. GCFโs Updated Strategic Plan 2024-2027
The USP-2, Section 4.1(d) mandates โan update to country ownership guidelines, to be approved by the Board, that also better clarifies GCFโs role and aiming to better articulate what country ownership means beyond the no-objection procedure, in a way that strengthens meaningful country engagement throughout origination, approval and implementation processesโ. In line with the Board workplan 2024-2027, the Secretariat plans to develop this broader update for the Boardโs consideration in 2025-26.
c. Global trends and principles of country ownership
A broader update of the country ownership guidelines must also consider opportunities to improve harmonization of procedures across climate funds in line with the action plan on complementarity and coherence.
Scope of work
The Consultant must be familiar with the GCF business model and Updated Strategic Plan 2024-2027, Vision 50 by 30 and other relevant GCF frameworks, policies, partnership model, and country programming broadly. The Consultant will undertake the following tasks:
Conduct in depth review of existing GCF policies, instruments, guidelines and operational approach to country ownership to determine adequacy in the context of the Updated Strategic Plan- 2024-2027 and institutional trajectory as outlined in Vision 50 by 30. Assess the extent to which Board decisions and related policy framework reflected under (a) has been operationalized, i.e. partial, fully, identify gaps in the policy framework, and in current implementation approaches. Assess the implementation of the โNo Objection Procedureโ to date as the main country ownership instrument for funded activities, review existing feedback from Board members, countries, entities on its benefits and limitations. Is the NOL the best instrument to serve as a proxy for country ownership for funded activities? how can it be enhanced? Should it be replaced, if so with what? Propose measures to address gaps identified and stakeholder feedback in the implementation of country ownership policy and its operational modalities. Identify policy areas that have been successfully operationalized, and where challenges and gaps can be better addressed through strengthened implementation of existing policies. Review IEU evaluations of GCF country ownership approach 2019 and 2025, assess how the 2019 recommendations have been implemented and draw on 2025 findings to inform policy updates. Assess how country ownership has been applied at various entry points through the stages of the project cycle, beyond the NOL including through country programmes / platforms, origination, project development, implementation and closure of project / programmes. Assess how country ownership has been enhanced in the deployment of GCF modalities such as readiness, accreditation, project preparation facility. Provide technical and substantive inputs for stakeholder consultations on country ownership, sysnthesise feedback received and utilize such to inform proposed changes. Assess the contribution of GCF advocacy and engagement strategies such as regional dialogues in promoting country ownership. Conduct review of country ownership approaches utilized by comparator organisations within the climate finance architecture, and broadly MDBs, UN agencies and other partners. Propose updated country ownership policy framework informed by preceding analysis and assessment for Board consideration. Develop an implementation plan for the updated country ownership as adopted by Board, including leading development of templates, guidance notes.
Minimum required qualifications & experience
Proven expertise in institutional policy frameworks and country partnership and ownership approaches
Degree in public or business administration, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, economics, social sciences, public policy, development studies, or other relevant fields. At least 7 years of relevant work experience in climate finance, development of institutional policies and capacity building approaches, climate change / green growth / development policies and project programmes. Proven work experience with or in developing countries dealing with climate change. Solid understanding of GCFโs mandate, business model, and partnership approaches. Presence in South Korea is a plus.
Duration of the assignment
This work is expected to take place over a period of 9 calendar months, with a total of 120 working days.
Reporting Arrangements
The consultant will report to the Director of Investment Services.
Application Process
Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter detailing their qualifications and experience relevant to the role. Candidates of all nationalities are welcome to apply. Please indicate your earliest availability to take up the assignment and notice-period required, if employed. The closing date for applications is 22 May 2025, 12:00 PM (KST). Applications submitted after the closing date may not be considered.