Climate Funds Specialist (Individual Consultant)

The Global Green Growth Institute is seeking a Climate Funds Specialist (Individual Consultant) in Mexico City to support the Ministry of Finance in managing projects aligned with the Green Climate Fund. The role involves evaluating governance documents, preparing endorsements for projects, and developing strategies for accessing GCF resources. This position focuses on fostering sustainable finance and ensuring alignment with national priorities in Mexico's evolving political context.
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*:
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GGGI Mexico has a growing portfolio of programs managing a diverse set of programs and projects focused on four key thematic areas of land-use, water, transport, and green cities, as well as the cross-cutting areas of climate action and socially inclusive development, all of which contribute significantly to the potential for achieving green growth in Mexico.
Following these thematic areas, GGGI Mexico seeks to support the Ministry of Finance, mainly the Direction of Sustainable Finance, to increase the pipeline of projects aligned with the strategic priorities of the Government of Mexico across key sectors, whilst maintaining its alignment to the Sustainable Taxonomy. Moreover, GGGI aims to support the Ministry of Finance in advancing the goals established in the Sustainable Finance Mobilization Strategy.
Mexico’s pipeline of projects for Green Climate Fund (GCF) approval consist of 13 projects, including 9 national projects and 4 multi-country projects. Managing this portfolio presents significant challenges, particularly in light of the evolving political context within both the Mexican government and the GCF.
In 2024, both the Government of Mexico and the GCF are redefining their strategic priorities. This requires aligning the current portfolio with the new national policy instruments, utilizing methodological tools for informed decision-making, implementing projects that deliver high climate impact and cost-effectiveness, updating the access guidelines for the GCF, and redesigning the GCF Country Program.
Additionally, the GCF's new 2024-2027 Strategy emphasizes the need to strengthen the implementation of national projects executed by Nationally Accredited Entities. It also seeks to promote the use of the private sector access window and prioritize projects that demonstrate significant climate impact and high levels of co-financing.
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• OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT*:
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The objective of the consultancy is to support the Direction of Sustainable Finance (DFS) of the Public Credit and International Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Finance (UCPAIH for its acronym in Spanish) in managing the project portfolio of the Country Program and the private sector window under the Green Climate Fund (GCF); collaborate in the preparation of strategic positions for the Ministry of Finance in international forums and platforms; and manage bilateral cooperation on sustainable finance to ensure alignment with national and international priorities.
1.1 Support the DFS of the Ministry of Finance (SHCP) in managing, reviewing, and preparing endorsements or approvals for projects pending approval within Mexico's GCF portfolio, ensuring their alignment with national priorities.
1.2 Evaluate the documents and instruments related to the governance of the GCF, presented during Board meetings and Conferences of the Parties, to support strategic decision-making processes.
1.3 Develop and implement a strategy to access the GCF private sector facility, managing the pipeline of projects seeking financing from these sources.
1.4 Support the DFS in the review, analysis, and evaluation of SHCP’s positions in international forums and platforms on Sustainable Finance. These include, but are not limited to, the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, the Pacific Alliance Finance and Sustainable Development Working Group, and the Debt and Green Financing Management Group of the Inter-American Development Bank Platform.
1.5 Manage bilateral cooperation on sustainable finance by promoting effective coordination among stakeholders to ensure alignment with national and international priorities, maximizing project impacts, and optimizing access to financial resources.
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• ACTIVITIES*:
1. Support the DFS of SHCP in managing, reviewing, and preparing endorsements or approvals for pending projects within Mexico's GCF portfolio, ensuring alignment with national priorities.
a) Technical review of documents such as Concept Notes, Project Preparation Facility (PPF) submissions, and Full Funding Proposals submitted to the GCF.
b) Evaluate Concept Notes and Full Funding Proposals submitted to the GCF using a methodology developed by SHCP.
c) Conduct technical reviews of contracts between the GCF and Mexican technical and financial institutions.
d) Keep Mexico's GCF project pipeline up-to-date, reflecting the status of submissions, approvals, and key milestones.
e) Monitor the GCF project pipeline, including identifying and tracking critical deadlines for proposal submissions.
f) Provide guidance to project proponents on GCF standards and criteria, focusing on climate impact, financial feas