Individual Consultant, NAP Axis A - People and Territory (Mexico)

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 background

Mexico is a country particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, due to its geographic location, topography and socioeconomic characteristics. Impacts are already evident and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations and systems. Moreover, the inertia of the climate system makes the climate changes expected in the near future mostly inevitable, so adaptation actions and strategies in the socioecosystem are necessary and urgent. Namely, Mexico’s climate scenarios for the period between 2015 to 2039 show annual temperature increases of up to 2°C in the north of the country, with variations of 1 to 1.5°C throughout most of its territory. This is expected to have significant economic, social, and environmental consequences: a 1°C-increment over the average global temperature could reduce the Gross National Product (GNP) between 0.77 and 1.76%. The Mexican Government (through its Sectoral Program for Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, PROMARNAT 2020-2024) has estimated that 68% of population and 71% of the GNP are exposed to adverse climate change impacts. It has been estimated that the increase in temperature will cause losses in agricultural, industrial, and public services. Even under a scenario of compliance with the Paris Agreement, net climate change costs are projected to increase in this century, exceeding 130% of Mexico’s Gross Domestic Product of 2010 (this figure will be larger under a global inaction scenario). The Mexican islands most affected by rising sea levels are in the Gulf of California and the Caribbean Sea. In scenarios of sea level rise of 1 and 5 meters, between 1 and 3.8% of the national island surface could be submerged. Left unchecked, it is projected that by 2050, up to 11% of the Mexican population --14.6 million people-- could be internally displaced for climate reasons, affecting women and girls disproportionately.

To counter this, Mexico recognizes that adaptation is a fundamental component in the long-term global response to the impacts of climate change. To reduce the vulnerability of the country and increase its resilience it is necessary to transit from the ad hoc implementation of individual adaptation projects, to streamline adaptation into policies and to plan with a medium and long-term perspective. National Adaptation Plans (NAP) provide the framework to mainstream adaptation in all sectoral and development policies and foster adaptation in the long-term. In the 2018 reform of Mexico’s General Law on Climate Change, NAP was incorporated as a core component of the country’s climate policy framework, referred to as the National Adaptation Policy. The NAP process seeks to identify medium- and long-term adaptation needs, informed by the latest climate science. Once major vulnerabilities to climate change have been identified, the NAP process develops strategies to address them. The NAP approach was established under the Cancun Adaptation Framework (CAF) and re-emphasized in the Paris Agreement. Crucially, NAPs follow a continuous iterative process that is country-driven, participatory, and transparent. The two overarching objectives of NAPs are to:

Reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change by building adaptive capacity and resilience;

Integrate adaptation into new and existing national, sectoral, and sub-national policies and programmes, especially development strategies, plans and budgets.

Countries can utilize the NAP process and its outcomes to update and improve the adaptation elements of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), a central part of the Paris Agreement.

Several financial support channels are available for the NAP process, including bilateral and multilateral channels. In Paris in 2015, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) was requested to expedite support for the formulation of NAPs and the implementation of programmes, projects and policies identified in the NAPs in developing country Parties. Through the GCF Board decision B.13/09, paragraph (e), the GCF provides financial support for the formulation of NAPs through its Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme.

Mexico updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2022, which includes a specific section on adaptation and, above all, an ecosystem-based approach. Namely, Mexico’s National Adaptation Policy (NAP) document will mirror the NDC's 5 key subcomponents from its adaptation chapter (e.g., Subcomponent A. Prevention and attention to negative impacts on the human population and in the territory; Subcomponent B. Resilient productive systems and food security; Subcomponent C. Conservation, restoration and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services; Subcomponent D. Integrated management of water resources with a climate change approach, plus Subcomponent E. Protection of strategic infrastructure and tangible cultural heritage) as its backbone; furthermore, current federal administration (2024-2030) has foreseen the need to include a sixth sub-component in its NDC 3.0 : F. National Security and Climate Change.

GGGI’s trusted advisory role

GGGI has consolidated its role as a trusted advisor to Mexico’s federal and subnational governments in the design, implementation, and financing of green growth and climate change initiatives. Overall, the GGGI Mexico Programme aims to: a) deliver transformational programs with measurable attributed and contributed outcomes; b) ensure government ownership, commitment, and support for GGGI interventions in Mexico, foster strong partnerships, and facilitate resource mobilization to accelerate the adoption of green growth; c) promote knowledge sharing by bringing together a cross-selection of GGGI experts to deliver a “One GGGI” country approach; and d) strengthen linkages between Mexico’s development agenda with global commitments (e.g., Paris Agreement; 2030 Agenda) and GGGI’s 2030 Strategy.

Despite Mexico updating its NDCs with more ambitious goals, the country still lacks a coherent “umbrella” policy framework (understood as a National Adaptation Policy, NAP) to establish a clear pathway towards achieving the country’s adaptation goals. The absence of a NAP deters the removal of relevant bottlenecks of diverse nature (policy, stakeholder capacities, information technologies and systems, finance) and the advancement of comprehensive adaptation planning and implementation in Mexico. To cover this gap, the Government of Mexico, with the support of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) will strengthen its adaptation planning through a coherent “umbrella” policy framework, supported by the creation of adequate, inclusive governance structures, generating relevant evidence-based assessments, a prioritized measures portfolio and information systems capable of catalyzing additional investments, plus enabling the adoption of sound monitoring and evaluation tools to track the progress of the NAP.

Objectives of the assignment

This individual consultancy will provide inputs and active support to GGGI and the Government of Mexico (under coordination by the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change, INECC), conducive to the development of Mexico’s National Adaptation Policy document and ancillary activities, focusing on the “People & Territory” subcomponent.

This consultancy is a key component of a multi-year preparedness project funded by the GCF, implemented by GGGI, which seeks to support the development of Mexico’s National Adaptation Policy, taking in consideration the subject matter expertise of the subcomponent. The intended Mexico’s NAP structure mirrors the adaptation component of its upcoming NDC 3.0.

Deliverables and payment schedule

The consultant will be responsible for delivering quality inputs relevant to their subject matter of expertise to Mexico’s National Adaptation Policy framework focused on its implementation, including but not limited to:

Develop Mexico’s NAP on the People & Territory Subcomponent.

Research, compile, review, analyze and systematize all the information available in the Federal institutions related to the prevention of negative impacts on the aforementioned subcomponent with a focus on climate change, according to Mexico’s first Adaptation Communication, BTR, 7th National Communication, its latest NDC, and other reputable sources of information from academic institutions focusing on the aforementioned Subcomponent, detecting thematic gaps and proposing solutions to bridge identified gaps.

Synthetize and complement the current existing diagnosis of Mexico’s vulnerability and adaptation to climate change according to Mexico’s first Adaptation Communication, BTR, 7th National Communication, its latest NDC, and other reputable sources of information from academic institutions focusing on the aforementioned Subcomponent, detecting thematic gaps and proposing solutions to bridge identified gaps.

Lead the analysis of adverse effects of climate change, focusing on the aforementioned Subcomponent, liaising with INECC, SADER, SEDATU,SEGOB, SEMAR, SSPC CENAPRED, SALUD, amongst other federal institutions and consulting firms in charge of developing existing modelling.

Identify short-, medium-, and long-term adaptation measures for Mexico’s National Adaptation Policy to effectively address climate change vulnerability and risk and foster resilience in the aforementioned Subcomponent.

Support the consultation process with key stakeholders (e.g., government, academia, private sector, etc.) on the aforementioned Subcomponent. Assist in designing, implementing, and reporting on a participatory process that incorporates perspectives from academia, the private sector, and the population, as outlined in the activities of the GCF NAP Proposal logframe.

Provide technical input for capacity building and training activities for the aforementioned Subcomponent.

Contribute to the development of the NAP’s MEL and finance tracking systems related to the aforementioned Subcomponent.

Generate initial drafts or working documents regarding the NAP chapter(s) that focus on the aforementioned Subcomponent.

Develop communication and presentation materials tailored for high-level decision-makers at national and international forums.

Support sectoral participation with relevant federal government ministries and key stakeholders for the aforementioned subcomponent, to ensure both capacity-building in terms of adaptation and their involvement in identifying appropriate and prioritized adaptation options to be included in the NAP, as well as proposals for integrating these options into their own sectoral programs.

Provide ad hoc support conducive to the operationalization and implementation of activities inherent and/or ancillary to this project.

Deliverables

Under direct supervision of the Project Manager (Deputy Country Representative), and in close collaboration with GGGI Mexico’s country team and INECC, the consultant will deliver Mexico’s National Adaptation Policy framework focus on implementation enabling factors, the consultant will deliver it by the end of the consultancy period:

Deliverable 1. Workplan

Develop one (1) detailed workplan that includes at least the following aspects:

a) Methodologies, approaches, phases, deadlines and responsibilities

b) Proposed data sources

c) Timeline and milestones

Deliverable 2. Consolidated Biophysical and socio-economic diagnosis, plus gap analysis of Mexico’s vulnerability, risk and adaptation to climate change profile for the Water Resources Subcomponent

The report shall include a detailed diagnosis of Mexico’s vulnerability, risk and adaptation to climate change, covering applicable as biophysical and socioeconomic conditions that contribute to vulnerability based on Mexico’s first Adaptation Communication, BTR, 7th National Communication, its latest NDC information, and other reputable sources. It should focus on developing enabling regulatory recommendations, creating sectoral and regional vulnerability and risk profiles, and identifying adaptation measures to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience to climate change.

Deliverable 3. Regulatory diagnosis of Mexico’s vulnerability and adaptation to climate change profile for the People & Territory Subcomponent

The report shall include a detailed diagnosis of Mexico’s applicable regulatory frameworks that contribute to vulnerability based on Mexico’s first Adaptation Communication, BTR, 7th National Communication, its latest NDC information, and other reputable sources.

Deliverable 4. One (1) set of Subcomponent inputs to inform preliminary NAP document to be presented at COP30, reflecting UNFCCC’s and Government of Mexico (GoM)’s guidelines

Based on the conceptual framework for adaptation of climate change within the NDC, the set of of inputs shall include: 1) a sectoral characterization based on a desk review on how climate change (rising temperatures, extreme events, changes in precipitation patterns, etc.) impacts the specific subcomponent; 2) a preliminary assessment of impacts, risks, vulnerabilities, areas most susceptible to climate impacts and estimate, when possible, potential economic impacts and consider differentiated impacts by gender; 3) a report with recommendations within the subcomponent to address the impacts, risks, and vulnerabilities, which will be presented at COP30, plus be socialized as part of the NAP development process and other concurrent processes (e.g. updated NDC 3.0). Using the findings from Deliverable 3, the aforementioned recommendations report should also indicate which policies, laws and other instruments can serve as entry points to support climate action, including the specific laws and instruments available to the sector to address impacts, risks, and vulnerabilities. Finally, 4) a key stakeholders’ matrix and their potential contributions towards risk and vulnerability reduction, plus resilience enhancement.

Deliverable 5. One (1) set of documents including recommendations for Enabling Regulatory Framework

Based on Deliverable 3, the report should focus on developing enabling regulatory recommendations to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience to climate change, indicating a roadmap for their implementation covering roles, responsibilities, and timeline.

Deliverable 6. Enabling Regulatory Recommendations and Implementation Roadmap Report for the People & Territory Subcomponent

Based on the findings from deliverable 2, the report will include a list of regulatory recommendations aimed at addressing, bridging, or reducing regulatory barriers and gaps that hinder the effective implementation of adaptation measures for the People & Territory Subcomponent. Additionally, the report will feature a comprehensive implementation roadmap for each recommendation, outlining timelines, roles, responsible parties, and enabling factors. Finally, in accordance with INECC’s guidance, the report will provide supporting documentation for the adoption and enhancement of the policy and legal reform recommendations at both federal and subnational levels.

Deliverable 7. Vulnerability and adaptation awareness report

Based on the findings of Deliverable 2, the report shall include a synthetic overview of the sector (People & Territory Subcomponent) aimed at non-climate-related audiences and decision-makers regarding the vulnerability and risk profile of the Subcomponent. The report will feature a stakeholder map, emphasize the converging current and anticipated biophysical and socio-economic conditions that contribute to vulnerability to climate change, outline the expected risks the sector will face, and detail the potential losses and damages at biological, social, and economic levels. The report will also provide adaptation awareness document kits, which will include infographic materials for widespread dissemination. Additionally, the report will contain dissemination materials, an agenda, a list of participants, and photographic evidence from a work session intended for raising awareness. Finally, the report will summarize the highlights and findings from the working session.

Deliverable 8. Adaptation measures catalogue

Based on Deliverable 2's findings, the report shall include an extensive list of adaptation measures at the national and subnational level for the short, medium, and long term, indicating the adaptation approach, implementation region or area, timeline, socioeconomic elements, financial needs, and responsible stakeholders.

Deliverable 9. One (1) final set of documents including recommendations for the National Adaptation Policy for the People & Territory Subcomponent

Based on the findings and results of all previous deliverables, the report will include a NAP for the People & Territory Subcomponent in accordance with UNFCCC guidance and requirements. The report will consist of a (1) public participation processes report that includes the agenda, materials, list of participants, and feedback report. Finally, it will include one (1) official NAP presentation event report with the agenda, materials, and list of participants for the People & Territory Subcomponent.

Payment schedule

Payment

Deliverable

Delivery time

Percentage

Payment No. 1

Deliverable 1. Work Plan

1 week after signature of contract

5%

Payment No. 2

Deliverable 2. Biophysical and socioeconomic diagnosis of Mexico’s vulnerability, risk and adaptation to climate change profile for the People & Territory Subcomponent

4 weeks after signature of contract

5%

Payment No. 3

Deliverable 3. Regulatory diagnosis of Mexico’s vulnerability and adaptation to climate change profile for the People & Territory Subcomponent

8 weeks after signature of contract

5%

Payment No. 4

Deliverable 4. One (1) set of Subcomponent inputs to inform preliminary NAP document to be presented at COP30, reflecting UNFCCC’s and Government of Mexico (GoM)’s guidelines

12 weeks after signature of contract

15%

Payment No. 5

Deliverable 5. One (1) set of documents including recommendations for Enabling Regulatory Framework

20 weeks after signature of contract

10%

Payment No. 6

Deliverable 6. Implementation Roadmap Report for the People & Territory Subcomponent

40 weeks after signature of contract

10%

Payment No. 7

Deliverable 7. Vulnerability and adaptation awareness report

60 weeks after signature of contract

15%

Payment No. 8

Deliverable 8. Adaptation measures catalogue

80 weeks after signature of contract

15%

Payment No. 9

Deliverable 9. One (1) final set of documents including recommendations for the National Adaptation Policy for the People & Territory Subcomponent

98 weeks after signature of contract

20%

All submitted documents must be in an editable Word format and follow a document structure (which shall be validated by GGGI, INECC, plus the Executive and Steering Committees) with references formatted in APA style. All images included in the texts must be provided in high resolution in a separate file.

All deliverables (documents with their annexes and infographics, schematics, tables, diagrams, cartography, and the other graphic aspects developed to facilitate the understanding of the technical contents) will be delivered in a digital medium and in Microsoft Office software, in open files that allow their editing.

Suggested methodology and competition requirements

The consultant can use primary and secondary sources of information to prepare the required results.

Meetings with GGGI Mexico team and relevant entities if needed through interviews, workshops, discussions groups with stakeholders and relevant authorities will be necessary to validate and prioritize the actions that will be developed.

Technical integrated work is considered decisive for the achievement of the objectives.

It is the consultant's responsibility to attend all required technical events and meetings.

All relevant papers, reports, and other documents prepared from the start to the end of the assignment shall be attached to the Final Report, and shared by the consultant to contribute towards a digital repository of information.

The Consultant shall consider the comments and necessary revisions proposed. Within 14 days from the receipt of the comments or modification proposal from INECC and GGGI, the Consultant shall prepare and submit the final versions of the report.

Reports and Coordination

The development of the consultancy will be monitored and coordinated primarily through periodic review and planning meetings -the precise schedule will be determined once the consultancy starts by GGGI and the consultant. The consultant’s work progress will be monitored through these review meetings addressing topics such as the strategic direction of activities, coordination of actors and the definition of inter-agency conciliation tables, as well as reporting on progress about the objective of consulting and deliverables.

All reports or results must be written in Spanish, except for Deliverables 4 and 9 (see Table above) which shall be delivered both in English and Spanish, in accordance with GGGI's formatting requirements, and must be sent in electronic copy along with the detail of the products associated with the deliverables, including attendance lists of the concertation spaces, memory aids generated and complete sets of raw data and research materials.

Supervision

The consultant will work embedded with the personnel of the Climate Change Adaptation and Ecology General Coordination (CGACCE) of the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC), reporting periodically to the Mexico Deputy Country Representative of the GGGI Mexico team.

Expertise required

The consultant must meet the following requirements:

(REQUIRED) Professional with a degree in natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, anthropology, sociology, resilience, applied economics (e.g. climate change, environmental) ,geography or environmental science (management).

(REQUIRED) Professional experience of at least five (5) years in the field of climate change adaptation, of which four (4) years are in project formulation, adaptation planning, M&E for adaptation, implementation of adaptation actions, mainstreaming of adaptation in national policies, EWS, and development of technical aspects of a NAP.

(REQUIRED) At least 5 years of experience of professional work in Mexico in adaptation to climate change

(REQUIRED) Knowledge in the development of climate policy, strategy or plans at national and subnational level.

(DESIRED) Proven experience in social work and communities’ consultation.

(DESIRED) Expertise to ensure a gender transformative approach to the NAP

(DESIRED) Proven experience in conducting risk and vulnerability assessments is highly desirable.

(DESIRED) Proven experience in water and food security, EWS, flood management, and NbS and EbA is highly desirable.

(DESIRED) Experience coordinating large climate change adaptation programmes/projects at the national or international scale.

(DESIRED) Previous work experience in LAC countries’ public sector institutions, international organizations or private sector companies working on climate change adaptation initiatives is highly desired.

(DESIRED) Experience designing and conducting stakeholders’ consultation processes is an advantage.

Fluent in English and Spanish (written and verbal, minimum B2 level).

Strong skills in assertive communication.

Ability to produce deliverables with minimal supervision.

Administrative information

Interested consultants shall submit following documentations:

Cover letter, and CV

Only applications in English will be evaluated.

Selection method/process: Competitive selection

Timeline of selection: 2 weeks for receiving applications + 1 for selection process.

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.