Agriculture and LULUCF - GCF Ecuador Consultancy

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.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Projects: Accelerating Ecuador's Climate Change Mitigation Initiatives with Strategic Action Plans and Investment Frameworks EC008-E1; Output EC008-E1-5

Duty Station: Ecuador

Contract Duration: (01) JUL 2025 – (15) JAN 2026

Number of Workdays Estimated (internal purpose only): 136 days

Consultant Level: 3

Total Fees: USD 20,944

PROJECT BACKGROUND

GGGI has a diverse portfolio of programs in developing countries around the world. Together with global products and services, these in-country programs focus on delivering results through an integrated approach of evidence-based green growth planning and implementation aligned to countries’ development priorities. The organization also focuses on knowledge development and management activities, which build a strong theoretical and empirical basis for green growth while providing concrete options and guidance for policymakers and building the conditions for public and private green infrastructure investments.

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Environmental and Social Safeguards are fully integrated into GGGI’s Project Cycle Management. All staff have signed GGGI’s Code of Conduct and have been trained on GGGI’s GESI policies. GGGI has recently increased its GESI ambition in alignment with GGGI´s GESI Strategy for 2021 – 2025, which includes the implementation of Gender Equality and Poverty Reduction Policy Markers on all projects and the implementation of an Environmental, Social, and Governance toolkit guiding mainstream environmental, social, and governance considerations in all workstreams. GGGI has also launched a new institutional policy and guideline for inclusive events and knowledge processes, committing to at least 30% women representation.

Ecuador became a Member of GGGI in 2019. GGGI has been supporting the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (MAATE acronym in Spanish) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) on climate and sustainable finance for the country to achieve their adaptation and mitigation priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. To date, GGGI supports MAATE in implementing its First National Adaptation Plan (NAP), develops a pipeline of adaptation projects and technical assistance, and designs a large-scale adaptation project to be submitted to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Finally, GGGI is supporting the strengthening of the Ecuador Zero Carbon Program.

As part of the portfolio of the GGGI Ecuador projects, the GCF-funded project Accelerating Ecuador's Climate Change Mitigation Initiatives with Strategic Action Plans and Investment Frameworks is under implementation. The project aims to contribute to cohesive climate change mitigation measures taken by the country’s climate stakeholders through enhancing coordination mechanisms and climate change thematic-related knowledge, better-harmonized policy frameworks from an inclusive and gender lens, and better access to climate finance. The above goal will be undertaken through three interrelated targets:

Development of an Action Plan and Investment Plan operationalizing and implementing the National Mitigation Plan;

Enhanced coordination among stakeholders involved in the implementation of climate change mitigation measures;

Priority stakeholders enhanced institutional and technical capacity to contribute to the country’s climate change mitigation agenda.

To support the achievement of the three interrelated targets described above, the GGGI’s project in Ecuador is seeking a consultant to lead the identification and engagement of key stakeholders and beneficiaries related to the Agriculture and LULUCF sectors to strengthen coordinated sectorial mitigation action; the definition, validation, and development of capacity building material and training programs tailored to sectoral needs; support the prioritization and validation of sectoral mitigation initiatives and investment projects which will be included in the Action and Investment Plans guiding the implementation of the National Climate Change Mitigation Plan (PLANMICC). To support the implementation of the project, a firm will be hired, which will also be responsible for carrying out some activities that have to be supported and coordinated by the consultant.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Identify key stakeholders and beneficiaries related to the Agriculture and LULUCF sectors, including executing agencies, civil society organizations, private sector actors, and academia.

Develop capacity-building programs and materials based on sectoral gaps and needs.

Prioritize PLANMICC targets, initiatives, and investment projects.

Establish working groups to coordinate the development of the PLANMICC Action Plan.

Develop and implement a Stakeholder Engagement Strategy to strengthen key stakeholders' coordination ownership and involvement.

Formulate a PLANMICC Action Plan with inputs from the Agriculture and LULUCF sectors.

Support the development of the PLANMICC Investment Plan and the selection of Accredited Entities.

DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Scope of Work:

The consultant will work in close collaboration with the GGGI Team in Ecuador and delegates of the Climate Change Mitigation Directorate on a deliverable basis and will support the achievement of the project´s outcomes and outputs, leading the following activities:

Deliverable 1: Workplan

The consultant will review existing project materials and consult with relevant project parties (GGGI, MAATE) as necessary to develop a detailed work plan outlining the schedule of significant activities, methodology, milestones, validation meetings, and draft and final deliverables. In coordination with the sectoral specialist delegated from the Climate Change Mitigation Directorate, the consultant will develop sectoral technical guidelines and review the firm's deliverables to enhance the implementation of activities within the project's scope. To fulfill the assigned duties, the consultant will organize meetings with key sectoral stakeholders and beneficiaries to review and validate any necessary deliverables. Finally, the consultant will support activities related to the project scope as required by the Undersecretariat for Climate Change and the Climate Change Mitigation Directorate.

The deliverable will, at a minimum, include a timeline and identification of key actors, milestones, timelines, and proposed deliverables. (Expected delivery date: 20/July/2025)

Deliverable 2: Capacity-building sessions and formulation of the PLANMICC Action and Investment Plan – Agriculture and LULUCF sectors

The consultant will coordinate and support the Firm in developing the mentoring sessions in the “Climate Change Mitigation Project Developer” modules of the Capacity Building Plan and monitor the results. The consultant will also coordinate and support the formulation of the PLANMICC Action and Investment Plan in the Agriculture and LULUCF sectors, prioritizing initiatives and targets, identifying potential investment projects, and conducting two in-person workshops for each sector. Finally, the consultant will support the Firm in formulating the PLANMICC Action Plan until it is validated by key stakeholders and beneficiaries in the Agriculture and LULUCF sectors. (Expected delivery date: 30/September/2025).

To comply with the deliverables, the consultant must carry out the following activities:

a) Capacity building:

The consultant will support the firm in the mentoring sessions in the “Climate Change Mitigation Project Developer” modules of the Capacity Building Plan and monitor the results for the Agriculture and LULUCF sectors. (Expected date of the activity: 31/August/2025).

The consultant will review and support the generation of the sectoral survey to monitor and improve the deliverability, usability, and relevance of training material and sessions. (Expected date of the activity: 31/August/2025).

The consultant will organize the training material to deliver MAATE and upload it to the National Climate Change Registry and the MAATE Educa platform. (Expected date of the activity: 31/August/2025).

b) Formulation of the PLANMICC Action and Investment Plan

The consultant will prioritize the initiatives and targets of PLANMICC, as well as those of the respective stakeholders, and the implementation arrangements governing them in the Agriculture and LULUCF sectors. (Expected date of the activity: 31/August/2025).

The consultant will support identifying potential investment projects in the Agriculture and LULUCF sectors and elaborate on a registry of them. (Expected date of the activity: 31/August/2025).

The consultant will support the Firm in developing one in-person work session for the Agriculture and LULUCF sectors (one for each sector) to formulate the PLANMICC Action Plan. (Expected date of the activity: 31/August/2025).

The consultant will support the Firm in developing the first draft of the PLANMICC Action Plan that will enable and guide the implementation of the PLANMICC. (Expected date of the activity: 31/August/2025).

The consultant will support the Firm in developing the final version of the PLANMICC Action Plan, which includes the recommendations and suggestions of the key stakeholders. (Expected date of the activity: 30/September/2025).

The consultant will support the Firm in developing one in-person work session for the Agriculture and LULUCF sectors (one for each sector) to validate the PLANMICC Action Plan. (Expected date of the activity: 30/September/2025).

Deliverable 3: Formulation of the PLANMICC Investment Plan – Agriculture and LULUCF sectors

For the PLANMICC Investment Plan, the consultant will support the Firm and Investment consultant in validating prioritized investment projects and analyzing time-bound investment strategies that identify the project’s CAPEX, optimal capital structure, and revenue sources. (Expected delivery date: 31/December/2025).

To comply with the deliverables, the consultant must carry out the following activities:

The consultant will support the Firm in developing one in-person work session for the Agriculture and LULUCF sectors (one for each sector) to formulate the PLANMICC Investment Plan. (Expected date of the activity: 31/October/2025)

The consultant will support the Firm and Investment consultant in developing time-bound investment strategies that identify the project’s CAPEX. (Expected date of the activity: 30/November/2025).

The consultant will support the Firm and Investment consultant in defining the optimal capital structure of projects. (Expected date of the activity: 30/November/2025).

The consultant will support the Firm and Investment consultant in identifying sources of revenue for the projects. (Expected date of the activity: 30/November/2025).

The consultant will support the Firm and Investment consultant in identifying potential public and private financing sources for the projects included in the PLANMICC Investment Plan. (Expected date of the activity: 31/December/2025).

The consultant will support the Firm and Investment consultant in defining and pinpointing the need for technical assistance and feasibility studies for the projects included in the PLANMICC Investment Plan. (Expected date of the activity: 31/December/2025).

The consultant will support the Firm in developing the first draft of the PLANMICC Investment Plan that will enable and guide the implementation of the PLANMICC. (Expected date of the activity: 30/November/2025).

The consultant will support the Firm in developing the adjusted version of the PLANMICC Investment Plan, which includes the recommendations and suggestions of the key stakeholders. (Expected date of the activity: 30/September/2025).

The consultant will support the Firm in developing one in-person work session for the Agriculture and LULUCF sectors (one for each sector) to validate the PLANMICC Investment Plan. (Expected date of the activity: 31/December/2025)

Deliverable 4: PLANMICC Investment Plan and Closing Workshop

Finally, the consultant will support the Firm and Investment Consultant in finalizing the PLANMICC Investment Plan and organizing the closing workshop for the GCF Project. (Expected delivery date: 15/January/2026).

To comply with the deliverable, the consultant must carry out the following activities:

The consultant will support the Firm and Investment consultant in selecting and designating Accredited Entities for the projects included in the PLANMICC Investment Plan. (Expected date of the activity: 15/January/2026).

The consultant will support the Firm in developing the final version of the PLANMICC Investment Plan, which includes the recommendations and suggestions of the key stakeholders. (Expected date of the activity: 15/January/2026).

The consultant will support the Firm and Investment consultant in organizing one in-person work session to close the GCF Project. (Expected date of the activity: 15/January/2026).

Reporting Arrangements

The consultant's work progress will be monitored by the Senior Associate, GCF Project Coordinator, and the sectoral specialist delegated from the Climate Change Mitigation Directorate. Meetings will tackle subjects such as the overview of the contractual objectives, the development of activities, detailed information milestones, actual achievements made against the timeline initially set, and any other relevant progress details.

The Contract will be supervised by the Senior Associate, GCF Project Coordinator.

The Global Green Growth Institute (“GGGI”) is committed to transparency, accountability, and openness in the organization. In case of any doubt, please refer to our WhistleBlower policy in the link:

http://gggi.org/site/assets/uploads/2017/11/Whistleblower-Policy_02072015.pdf

Suggested methodology and competence requirements

The consultant should follow the specific methods and follow MAATE’s and GGGI ś instructions. The consultant will make the best use of both primary and secondary sources of information to develop activities defined under the contract objective.

The consultant should demonstrate the credentials described below.

For each deliverable, the consultant is required to deliver a draft version by a date agreed to GGGI, request and respond to comments, and deliver a final version (tracked and clean versions for MS Word deliverables) by the deadline

Payment Schedule

Deliverable

To be delivered by

Value (% of the total payable)

Deliverable 1: Workplan

20/July/2025

15%

Deliverable 2: Capacity-building sessions and formulation of the PLANMICC Action and Investment Plan – Agriculture and LULUCF sectors

30/September/2025

31/August/2025

31/August/2025

31/August/2025

30/September/2025

30/September/2025

35%

Deliverable 3: Formulation of the PLANMICC Investment Plan – Agriculture and LULUCF sectors

31/December/2025

31/December/2025

30/November/2025

30/November/2025

30/November/2025

31/December/2025

31/December/2025

31/December/2025

35%

Deliverable 4: PLANMICC Investment Plan and Closing Workshop

15/January/2026

15/January/2026

15/January/2026

15/January/2026

15%

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

Academic qualifications:

Bachelor degree in engineering, preferably: forestry, agricultural, agro-industrial, chemical or others related to the Agriculture and LULUCF fields.

Master degree on topics related to environmental management, agriculture, sustainable forest management, climate change, emission reduction scenarios, or others related to the object of this contract.

Professional qualifications:

At least five years of relevant experience developing mitigation projects and plans in the Agriculture and LULUCF sectors.

Proved experience in the generation of public policy related to the Agriculture and LULUCF sectors.

Proved experience in managing multidisciplinary groups, which may include government institutions, civil society organizations, private sector actors, communities, indigenous people, and academia.

Experience in the use of modeling tools for trend and mitigation scenarios (desirable), or, failing that, solid knowledge that allows quality control of the intermediate and final products delivered by the company/firm in charge to support the development of the PLANMICC Action Plan.

It is desirable to have participated in the formulation of the NDC and/or PLANMICC.

Advance knowledge of spoken and written English.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Request: GGGI Application form, CV and cover letter

Selection method/process: competitive

Timeline of selection: 4 days

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

The consultant will report to and be supervised by the Senior Associate, GCF Project Coordinator based in Quito-Ecuador. The Director of Climate Change Mitigation of MAATE will approve the consultant products after the technical validation of the sectoral specialist of the Directorate.

The consultant selected must dedicate 100% of his/her time to this process. Therefore, it is not expected to consider other consultancies during the contract period.

SOCIAL AND SUSTAINABILITY SAFEGUARDS

GGGI as an institution abides by its project-level Sustainability and Safeguards Rules (SSR) for all projects aligned with international standards for Environmental and Social Safeguards. The SSR is aligned with commonly recognized international standards for Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS), i.e. the WB Performance Standard, that ensure project level safeguarding of communities and people impacted by GGGI activities. GGGI has integrated project level Environmental and Social Safeguards into its Project Cycle Management (PCM) with mandatory Preliminary Gender and Social Assessments and ESS Screening of all projects to identify and manage risks.

In addition, GGGI’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy 2021-2025 provides a framework toward achieving the principle of “Leaving No One Behind” in the transformation towards green growth, guiding GGGI’s approaches to the mainstreaming of gender equality and poverty reduction in GGGI Colombia’s Program. This also includes the implementation of the GGGI Gender Equality and Poverty Reduction Policy Markers on all projects. GGGI’s Corporate Results Framework requires gender disaggregated indicators for participation in GGGI Capacity Building events.

GGGI’s Child Protection Rules and GGGI Rules on Sexual Exploitation ensure safeguarding of children impacted by GGGI activities or in contact with GGGI contracted personnel, with GGGI taking a zero-tolerance approach to child exploitation. GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. All procedures mentioned above are accompanied by guidelines and capacity building efforts. GGGI also provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. GGGI promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.

All GGGI’s policies are available for open consultation under the following link: https://gggi.org/policy-documents/

ANTI-FRAUD AND SAFEGUARD

GGGI is committed to applying transparency and accountability in its decisions and actions and practicing integrity in all aspects of its operations. GGGI’s anti-corruption policy establishes zero tolerance for corruption and fraudulent, coercive, and collusive practices in GGGI’s operations. The whistleblowing policy is available at the following link https://gggi.org/site/assets/uploads/2017/11/Whistleblower-Policy_02072015.pdf

In addition, all GGGI’s policies are available for open consultation under the following link: https://gggi.org/policy-documents/. Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.