Senior Regional Readiness Consultant(Remote)-Africa Region

Position Objective

The Senior Regional Readiness Consultant – Africa Region, reporting to the Director of the Africa Region, will support National Designated Authorities (NDAs) and Direct Accredited Entities (DAEs) in identifying readiness needs, capacity gaps, and priority areas, and in developing high-quality Readiness proposals to access GCF Readiness resources. The work will be done remotely with potential travel to countries as needed. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Regional Readiness Consultant will be responsible for:

• Provide senior-level strategic, policy, institutional, and technical advisory support to strengthen regional climate coordination, engagement, and leadership functions.
• Provide analysis on opportunities to strengthen access to climate finance, GCF readiness programming, and alignment of technical support with regional and national climate priorities.
• Support the development and implementation of regional priorities, workplans, engagement strategies, technical workstreams, and coordination of agendas.
• Provide specialized technical advice on climate change, climate finance, adaptation, mitigation, just transition, Article 6, loss and damage, transparency, and other relevant UNFCCC discussions.
• Prepare and review briefing notes, background papers, policy notes, technical briefs, negotiation analysis, issue papers, speeches, talking points, correspondence, presentations, and strategic inputs for high-level meetings and engagements.
• Review and synthesize UNFCCC decisions, negotiation texts, technical reports, submissions, climate finance developments, and other relevant policy materials to inform regional positions and engagement strategies.
• Support coordination among thematic leads, experts, member states, regional institutions, development partners, accredited entities, and relevant climate finance stakeholders.
• Provide technical inputs to inform regional positions, strategies, submissions, statements, and engagement with partner institutions.
• Monitor regional and global climate policy developments and identify emerging issues, technical gaps, risks, and opportunities requiring strategic attention or follow-up.
• Lead the design, organization, delivery, and follow-up of high-level consultations, technical meetings, expert dialogues, regional preparatory meetings, coordination calls, workshops, and missions.
• Identify technical capacity needs and support targeted capacity-building, training, peer learning, and knowledge-sharing for government officials, and relevant stakeholders.
• Track decisions, commitments, action items, technical recommendations, and follow-up processes arising from GCF Board meetings, negotiations, and strategic engagements.
• Facilitate internal coordination, documentation, knowledge management, and information-sharing to support effective institutional functioning and continuity.
• Contribute to partnership-building, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilization efforts aligned with regional climate priorities.
• Document lessons learned, technical gaps, emerging issues, capacity-building needs, and recommendations to strengthen future regional coordination, negotiation support, and technical engagement.
• Perform other advisory, coordination, technical, and strategic support tasks as required.

Deliverables

Deliverables may include:

• Capacity needs assessments, training materials, peer-learning resources, knowledge products, and documentation to support the GCF Secretariat, government officials, and relevant stakeholders in implementing the GCF Readiness Strategy 2024-2027 in Africa.
• Stakeholder engagement and partnership reports, including records of consultations, follow-up actions, decisions, commitments, and recommendations.
• Regional briefs and capacity assessments of relevant developing country institutions (e.g. NDA, finance institutions, GCF Direct Access Entities);
• Quarterly activity and results report outlining activities undertaken, outputs delivered, progress achieved, challenges encountered, and follow-up actions required.
• Briefing notes, background papers, policy notes, technical briefs, negotiation analysis, issue papers, talking points, speeches, presentations, and correspondence for high-level meetings and strategic engagements.
• Reports and summaries from high-level consultations, technical meetings, expert dialogues, regional preparatory meetings, coordination calls, workshops, missions, and other engagements.

Qualifications and Experience

The candidate should meet the following qualifications and experience:

• Master’s degree in public administration/policy, economics, environmental science or studies, development studies, climate finance, climate science, climate policy, law, renewable energy, engineering, or a closely related discipline;  
• At least five years of experience in the public and/or private sector with a demonstrated focus on climate investment and financing initiatives for climate change mitigation and adaptation; 
• Proven experience in institutional strengthening and capacity-building within developing economies, demonstrating the ability to enhance stakeholders' capabilities in addressing climate change and creating enabling environments for climate investment; 
• At least seven years of experience in successfully developing climate change investment proposals, showcasing expertise in crafting compelling and impactful funding applications, including monitoring and evaluation of climate change initiatives; 
• Experience in addressing climate change issues in Africa, providing a deep understanding of the regional context and challenges; 
• Operational experience in providing specialized climate change-related technical assistance to government officials and/or government organizations in developing country contexts; similar experience with civil society and private organizations will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and engage with multiple stakeholders, reflecting strong interpersonal skills and the ability to foster cooperation among diverse groups; 
• Knowledge of the African Union system, including CAHOSCC, AMCEN, AGN and other relevant high-level climate bodies in Africa;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, complemented by outstanding presentation abilities, enabling effective dissemination of information and ideas to diverse audiences; 
• Familiarity with the GCF, including operational mechanisms and funding modalities will be an asset; 
• Fluency in English is required, and proficiency in other United Nations languages, is highly desirable; 
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and adaptability; and 
• Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical standards, including integrity, transparency and accountability in all professional activities. 

The initial assignment is for a maximum of 180working days over the period of 12months, with the possibility of extension based on annual performance evaluation, subject to the continued need and available funding. 

The Fund intends to select up to two (2) candidates for this position, subject to organizational needs and the availability of funds.

As part of their reporting obligations, the Consultant is expected to compile a quarterly report detailing activities conducted and results achieved, to be shared with the GCF Secretariat. 

Preference will be given to residents of the Africa Region for this position.