Consultant on Green Climate Fund Pre-Accreditation Process for a Direct Access Entity in Panama

Result of Service

It is expected that The Consultant on Consultant on Green Climate Fund Pre-Accreditation Process for a Direct Access Entity in Panama will contribute to the efficient implementation of the project “Aligning the financial flows of the financial sector in Panama with the Paris Agreement climate change goals” by executing the tasks outlined in Outcome 1.2 “Direct access applicants and accredited entities (DAEs) have established capacity to meet and maintain the GCF’s accreditation standards; and accredited DAEs have the capacity to develop a pipeline of projects and effectively implement GCF-funded activities.”

Product 1:
- One (1) report on the assessment and recommendations of potential DAE candidates to initiate the GCF accreditation process
- One (1) report on consultation process, including final decision-making criteria, to select potential DAE candidates.
- One (1) list of the screened potential DAE candidates. This list will include national entities recommended by the Panama’s NDA based on the required GCF accreditation requirements.

Product 2:
- One (1) report on institutional gap analysis and capacity needs assessment for one DAE candidate against the GCF accreditation policies and standards (i.e., basic fiduciary standards, specialized services, environmental and social safeguards (ESS), gender policy, and monitoring, reporting and evaluation). The gap analysis seeks to evaluate the capabilities of the selected DAE candidate to properly manage funds and to safeguard funded projects/programme in line with GCF accreditation standards.
- One (1) accreditation action plan for one DAE candidate. This plan aims to address identified gaps and needs (e.g., fiduciary standards, social and environmental, gender, indigenous peoples safeguard standards, and other specialized functions), in line with GCF accreditation requirements.

Product 3:
- One (1) guidance document for ESS policies and adjustment for local appropriation according to the DAE candidate needs. The guidance document for ESS will include, but not limited, a series of principles and requirements for the DAE candidate to avoid, minimize and/or manage E&S risks and impacts throughout project cycles.

Product 4:
- One (1) workshop report related to the presentation of gap analysis, action plan and guidance to the Project’s Steering Committee.

Product 5:
- One (1) training programme including all materials and guidelines used, and list of participants disaggregated by gender and presentations. This capacity building workshops about GCF policies and standards (i.e., basic fiduciary standards, specialized services, ESS, gender policy, and monitoring, reporting and evaluation) will focus on strengthening institutional capacities of one DAE candidate on how to qualify for the GCF accreditation process.
- One (1) training report including pre and post training surveys for measuring impact of DAE candidate.

The Consultant on Consultant on Green Climate Fund Pre-Accreditation Process for a Direct Access Entity in Panama will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by achieving the following tasks:

- Undertake inception meetings to present the inception report that includes a detailed work plan for the execution of the assignment.
- Map potential domestic financial institutions (FIs) and non-financial institutions for accreditation to GCF as DAEs
- Assess pre-identified potential domestic financial institutions (FIs) and non-financial institutions for accreditation to GCF as DAEs against defined decision-making criteria
- Conduct a consultation session with the Panama’s NDA to validate the selected DAE candidate to provide pre-accredited support
- Undertake a kick-off meeting with the selected DAE candidate’s technical and managerial staffs to present the workplan, objective, scope of the work and methodology.
- Conduct an accreditation gap analysis and prepare an action plan process of one DAE candidate, including Environmental and Social Safeguard (ESS), gender mainstreaming and fiduciary capacities to initiate accreditation.
- Design or update the DAE applicant internal guideline(s) for ESS policies in line with GCF requirements.
- Conduct at least three validation/consultation session with the DAE candidate’s technical and managerial staffs to validate and finalise the draft documents and procedures developed (accreditation gap analysis, action plan, and ESS policies guideline).
- Organize in close coordination with the PCU and Panama’s NDA, a workshop for the selected institutions to build capacity on ESS policies, gender policy and fiduciary policies and procedures that will satisfy the GCF requirements for DAE candidates.
- Develop appropriate training materials to be used in tr 3-days training sessions (in-person or virtually, as appropriate) to build capacity on ESS policies, gender policy and fiduciary policies and procedures that will satisfy the GCF requirements for pre-identified DAE candidates.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

The overall objective of the UNEP’s Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities, and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies, practices, and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals, and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices, and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is currently the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund and the main multilateral financing mechanism to support developing countries in achieving a reduction of their greenhouse gas emissions and an enhancement of their ability to respond to climate change. It aims to make an ambitious contribution for the implementation of the Paris Agreement and its mitigation and adaptation goals by supporting the paradigm shift in developing countries towards low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways.

In 2022, the GCF board approved the GCF Readiness Proposal “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Panama with the Paris Agreement climate change goals”. The National Designed Authority (NDA) in Panama, the Minister of Environment, has nominated UNEP to be its Delivery Partner for this proposal.

One of the outcomes of this project is to provide pre-accreditation support to a national financial institution (FI) in Panama to commence the process of becoming a national Direct Access Entity (DAE). By establishing a national DAE the country will be able to exercise ownership of climate change funding and better integrate these funds with its national climate change action plan.

UNEP is looking for a Consultant on Green Climate Fund Pre-Accreditation Process for a Direct Access Entity in Panama for the GCF Readiness Project “Aligning financial flows of the financial sector in Panama with the Paris Agreement climate change goals”.

The Consultant on Green Climate Fund Pre-Accreditation Process for a Direct Access Entity in Panama will be under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer on Sustainable Finance for the LAC region, in close collaboration with the Project Coordination Unit (PCU). Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the Climate Change Directorate, of the Ministry of Environment of Panama (MiAmbiente) and other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts.

The Consultant on Green Climate Fund Pre-Accreditation Process for a Direct Access Entity in Panama will be home-based.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide pre-accreditation support to a national financial institution (FI) in Panama to commence the process of becoming a national Direct Access Entity (DAE) in line with the established GCF’s standards.

Specifically, under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer on Sustainable Finance for the LAC region, the Consultant on Green Climate Fund Pre-Accreditation Process for a Direct Access Entity in Panama has the overall responsibility of the following outcomes:
- An institutional gap analysis and capacity needs assessment for one DAE applicant against the GCF policies and standards (i.e., basic fiduciary standards, specialized services, environmental and social safeguards (ESS), gender policy, and monitoring, reporting and evaluation) are conducted.
- An Accreditation Action Plan for one DAE applicant for meeting the GCF accreditation requirements is developed.
- The DAE applicant internal guideline(s) for ESS policies in line with GCF requirements is designed or updated.
- Institutional capacities for one DAE applicant to address identified gaps and needs (e.g., fiduciary standards, social and environmental, gender, indigenous peoples safeguard standards, and other specialized functions) in line with GCF requirements are built.

It is important to highlight that, during the pre-accreditation process, the DAE applicant’s policies, procedures, track record, demonstrated capacity to undertake projects or programmes using different financing amounts, financing modalities (e.g., instruments) and environmental and social risk categories will be assessed. In this sense, the DAE applicant selected will be initially assessed against the following the GCF standards and policies, but not limited to:

• Fiduciary standards:
o Initial fiduciary principles and standards.
o Policy on the Protection of Whistleblowers and Witnesses.
o Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Policy.

• Environmental and social safeguard (ESS) standards:
o Environmental and Social Policy.
o Interim environmental and social safeguard standards; and

• Gender
o Gender Policy

• Others:
o GCF AEs are expected to meet all related GCF approved policies and guidelines, including Policy on Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Abuse, and Sexual Harassment (SEAH), Indigenous Peoples Policy, among others.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic
• Bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, administration, political science, international relations, or other related studies. (required)

Professional
• At least 3 years’ experience in supporting entities with similar work is required.
• Knowledge of the policies, legislation and procedures associated with environmental management and relevant experience in developing environmental policies is desirable.
• Experience in project management cycle, including origination and implementation, and activity oversight is desirable.
• At least 1 years’ experience with the development and/or implementation of environmental and social safeguards (ESS) is preferred.
• Proven track record of professional experience in the dentification, management, monitoring and review of environmental and social risks and impacts is preferred.
• Experience of relevant analytical tools and technical and administrative functions used by the GCF and/or similar funds and programs is preferred.
• Experience in the design and management of projects financed by the GCF is required.

Languages

• Fluent in English is required
• Fluent in Spanish is required.

Additional Information

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Proficiency in using Microsoft Package (Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) collaborative platforms (i.e., Teams, Google Drive) and virtual meeting platforms (i.e. Webex, Zoom, etc.) is required.

SKILLS:

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to present complex issues in a simple and clear manner.
• Ability to communicate trends and impacts to high-level and mid-senior level management.
• Ability to consult, build, and maintain solid working relationships in and outside of immediate department.
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver high quality results on time.


COMPETENCIES:

• Professionalism: Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial, and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. He/she shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style, and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Teamwork: Is able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve organizational goals and to take leadership when appropriate; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.