SRI LANKA: SUSTAINABLE BANKING CONSULTANT (NATIONAL)

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.

In Sri Lanka, GGGI is partnering with the Climate Change Secretariat (CCS) of the Ministry of Environment (MoE) to implement the GCF Readiness project “Mobilizing International and Domestic Climate Finance and Private Investments for Climate Resilience in Sri Lanka”. This project strengthens institutional capacities at national and provincial levels, develops frameworks for mobilizing climate finance, and fosters private sector engagement in climate-resilient investments.

The Sustainable Banking Consultant will provide technical leadership to strengthen the integration of environmental, social, and climate considerations within Sri Lanka’s financial sector. The consultant will guide the development of green credit instruments, support the operationalization of Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS), and facilitate the alignment of local financial institutions (LFIs) with international standards, including GCF requirements. This consultancy supports both national and subnational climate finance readiness by enhancing the capacity of LFIs, the NDA, and provincial stakeholders to mobilize and manage climate finance through inclusive, climate-aligned financial systems and instruments.

The consultant will work closely with the NDA (Climate Change Secretariat, Ministry of Environment), the Sri Lanka Bankers’ Association (SLBA), the Sustainable Banking Initiative (SBI), selected LFIs, and provincial governments. The role requires deep experience in sustainable finance frameworks, environmental and social safeguards, green bond structuring, and climate finance access modalities. The consultant is expected to support both strategic and technical aspects of capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and tool development as part of GGGI’s implementation of the GCF Readiness project.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The purpose of this consultancy is to advance sustainable banking practices and unlock the climate finance potential of Sri Lanka’s financial sector through institutional strengthening, technical assistance, and advisory support. Specifically, the consultant will:

Conduct baseline assessments and develop gap-bridging strategies for LFIs related to E&S risk screening, green credit instruments, and blended finance readiness;

Provide tailored technical support to two LFIs to operationalize ESMS and prepare thematic bond frameworks aligned with international green bond standards;

Strengthen NDA capacity on climate finance instruments and gender-responsive planning, working in close collaboration with GESI consultant;

Support national and provincial-level stakeholders in accessing climate finance through PPP models, and contribute to the development of province-level climate finance roadmaps and capacity-building modules.

The consultant will report to the Project Manager and work in close coordination with the GCF Readiness project team. The consultant will also liaise with relevant focal points from:

The Climate Change Secretariat (CCS), Ministry of Environment

The Ministry of Finance (as relevant)

Sri Lanka Bankers’ Association (SLBA) and Sustainable Banking Initiative (SBI)

Selected LFIs and the Colombo Stock Exchange (as relevant)

Provincial Councils, PCUs, and SCCs (via GGGI facilitation)

The consultant will be expected to:

Participate in strategic planning and review meetings with GGGI and the NDA.

Facilitate technical consultations and workshops with financial sector stakeholders.

Coordinate with consultants supporting other outputs of the GCF Readiness project.

Ensure that all technical deliverables integrate gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) considerations, aligned with GCF guidance.

DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

OUTPUT / DELIVERABLE

PERCENTAGE

OF MAXIMUM AMOUNT

DUE DATE

1. Gap Assessment of Sustainable Banking Initiatives: Conduct a baseline gap analysis of 8–10 LFIs, covering existing E&S performance frameworks, green credit instruments (current and potential ), blended finance readiness, and preparedness for thematic bond issuance.

15%

Month 1-2

2. Technical Guidelines for Green Instruments & E&S Risk Management: Develop technical guidelines and recommendations for Local Financial Institutions (LFIs) on designing and operationalizing green credit instruments. This includes Environmental & Social (E&S) risk screening methodologies, mitigation policies, and tools—such as Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS). The guidelines will outline how EMS methodologies and ESMS systems that are aligned with international benchmarks—should be integrated into financial institution operations, governance, and lending practices.

15%

Month 2-3

3. Validation Workshop with Financial Institutions: Plan and co-deliver a validation workshop (~60 participants) with SLBA, and other LFIs to validate assessment findings and guidelines. Incorporate stakeholder feedback and finalize deliverables with SLBA endorsement.

10%

Month 3

4. Bilateral Technical Consultations with 2 LFIs: Deliver targeted technical support to 2 LFIs to support the operationalize ESMS frameworks, advice on develop green lending instruments, and integrate gender and social safeguards. 8-12 bilateral sessions

10%

Month 4

5. Thematic Bond Framework Development: Support 2 LFIs in designing pre-issuance frameworks for thematic bonds (green/social/sustainable), aligned with ICMA standards and enabling issuance via CSE or international markets.

10%

Month 5-6

6. On-the-Job Mentoring for NDA & MOE: Deliver tailored on-the-job mentoring for NDA and Ministry of Environment (MOE) staff covering climate finance instruments (e.g., grants, blended finance), engagement pathways with LFIs and DAEs, and gender-responsive financing strategies. 4-6 sessions. In parallel, provide technical input to three NDA-led national climate finance roundtables, including development of session content, briefing materials, and facilitation support. Sessions will focus on private sector engagement, LFI readiness, and DAE pipeline strategies

10%

Month 7

7. Technical input for guidelines on Provincial Access to Climate Finance: Provide the project manager with technical input for the guidelines being prepared for provincial stakeholders on accessing climate finance, structuring PPPs, and integrating climate finance into planning systems.

10%

Month 8

8. Technical Input for Capacity Building Module: Provide technical input to the project manager to develop training content focused on proposal development, gender budgeting, and climate finance institutional structures.

5%

Month 9-10

9. Workshop Delivery & Roadmap Implementation Training: Co-Facilitate 2 workshops for Sector Climate Cells and Provincial Climate Cells on provincial climate finance roadmaps, pipeline development, and proposal preparation for matchmaking.

10%

Month 11

10. Support to Matchmaking and High-Level Forum: Provide the project manager with technical input to the provincial marketplace event and national forum with the NDA and relevant ministries (i.e. Ministry of Finance). Integrate lessons from LFIs, subnational planning, and co-financing pathways.

5%

Month 12

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

Education & Professional Experience

Bachelor’s or Masters degree in economy, Finance, Business Administration or other related fields. An advanced degree in Finance, Economics or a relevant field is desired.

Minimum 5-8 years of sustainable banking professional experience, preferably matured in client facing roles in financial institutions or development agencies.

Prior experience support on the establishment of sustainable banking initiatives/networks/roundtables.

Functional

Strong technical knowledge of environmental and social safeguards, blended finance, and financial structuring.

Experience engaging with financial institutions, regulators, and private sector stakeholders.

Proven ability to design training modules and facilitate capacity-building workshops.

Excellent communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills.

Fluent in English and Sinhala

Proactive, punctual, and able to meet deadlines under pressure.

Corporate

Demonstrates GGGI’s values of integrity, inclusiveness, excellence, and innovation.

Commits to integrating gender and social inclusion across all deliverables.

Upholds professionalism and ethical standards in all engagements.

Works effectively in cross-sector and multi-stakeholder environments.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

1. Interested consultants shall submit following documentations: