Environmental and Social Safeguard (ESS) Consultant

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

Project: Strengthening the National Designated Authority, Candidate Direct Access Entity, National Programming Process and Development of Strategic Frameworks for Low-Carbon Development in Paraguay

Duty Station: Asunción, Paraguay

Part-time/Full-Time: Full-time (246 days)

Period: 2nd June 2025 –7th October 2026

Consultant Level: Level 4

PROJECT BACKGROUND

GGGI has been active in Paraguay since 2018, collaborating with the Government of Paraguay to advance green growth policies and investments. Key partners include the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADES), and Paraguay’s Development Finance Agency (AFD), driving progress across various sectors.

In 2024, GGGI supported AFD in aligning its Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS), Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), and fiduciary policies with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) requirements for accreditation as a Direct Access Entity (DAE). As a result, AFD successfully completed Stage I of the accreditation process.

Building on this progress, GGGI is now implementing a GCF-funded technical assistance project with MEF: “Strengthening the National Designated Authority, Candidate Direct Access Entity, National Programming Process, and Development of Strategic Frameworks for Low-Carbon Development in Paraguay.” This initiative aims to enhance Paraguay’s capacity to access, manage, and coordinate GCF resources, track climate finance flows, integrate climate action into planning and budgeting, and mobilize private sector investment in climate mitigation.

Key objectives include:

Strengthening MEF’s capacity as Paraguay’s Nationally Designated Authority (NDA) to coordinate and manage GCF funding and track climate finance flows.

Supporting AFD’s accreditation process to meet GCF’s fiduciary, environmental, and social safeguard requirements.

Operationalizing Paraguay’s Green Taxonomy to provide clear definitions for green investments and improve investor confidence.

Integrating climate indicators and targets into the Paraguay National Development Plan 2050, including strategies for green job creation and sustainable economic growth.

The project will be implemented under MEF’s leadership, with execution led by a team of GGGI staff, consultants, and external experts.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Consultant will support Paraguay’s Development Finance Agency (AFD) in advancing Stages II and III of its Green Climate Fund (GCF) accreditation, until completion of the accreditation process.

The consultant will lead efforts to strengthen update AFD’s Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) policies, procedures, and risk management frameworks, ensuring alignment with GCF standards.

The consultant will provide technical support in responding to GCF accreditation requirements, ensuring AFD’s accreditation submission meets the necessary standards. Through these efforts, the consultant will enable AFD to achieve GCF accreditation and enhance its role in financing a sustainable development in Paraguay.

SCOPE OF WORK

The ESS Consultant will report to the GGGI Project Manager and AFD, leading technical efforts to achieve AFD’s GCF accreditation. The consultant is expected to deliver the following key results:

1. Strengthening AFD’s Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS)

Conduct a comprehensive assessment of GCF’s comments and requests for AFD to complete the accreditation process.

Develop an action plan to address identified gaps and ensure compliance with GCF accreditation criteria.

Support AFD to update policies, procedures, and guidelines to align them with GCF requirements.

Implement internal training for relevant AFD units to ensure effective application of the revised ESMS.

Assist AFD in responding to GCF’s feedback and integrating required improvements.

2. Enhancing AFD’s Capacity for ESMS implementation through IFIs

Strengthen AFD’s implementation arrangements to apply the ESMS across financial intermediaries.

Assess the capacity of financial intermediaries (IFIs) to implement AFD’s updated ESMS.

Develop an implementation and monitoring framework outlining roles and responsibilities for IFIs.

Conduct capacity-building workshops for AFD and IFIs to facilitate the application of strengthened ESS and GESI policies.

3. Developing AFD’s Methodology for Climate and Emissions Reporting

Conduct a diagnosis of existing emissions tracking initiatives within AFD.

Develop a methodology for quantifying and disclosing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, aligned with AFD’s business model.

Integrate emissions quantification into AFD’s ESMS and reporting procedures.

Organize a capacity-building session for AFD staff on emissions reporting and disclosure.

4. Strengthening AFD’s Monitoring and Reporting System for Environmental and Social Impact

Assess AFD’s current monitoring and tracking systems to identify gaps and improvement opportunities.

Design and develop tools and procedures for effective E&S impact tracking and reporting.

Pilot test the new monitoring framework and integrate stakeholder feedback.

5. Delivering Capacity-Building and Awareness-Raising Activities

Conduct capacity-building workshops for AFD and its financial intermediaries, covering:

Strengthened ESMS policies and procedures.

Integration of emissions quantification methodologies.

Identification, mitigation and disclosure of nature- and climate-related financial risks.

Prepare meeting minutes and post-session evaluations for all capacity-building activities, ensuring documentation of progress.

6. Providing need- and demand-based support to AFD to address GCF’s requests and comments, and strengthen AFD’s capacity to finance Paraguay’s sustainable development.

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Environmental Management, Sustainability Studies, Natural Resource Management, or related fields. Advanced degree preferred.

At least 7 years of experience designing and implementing environmental and social management systems, preferably for financial institutions.

Prior experience with the GCF accreditation process is preferred.

Experience working with AFD is a strong asset.

Fluent in spoken and written English and Spanish is required.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

During the first week of assignment the consultant will define the reporting arrangements of the consultancy, in consultation with the AFD and the Project Manager.

The consultant will maintain a hybrid working arrangement, working from AFD’s and GGGI’s offices depending on needs and priorities.

The 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.