Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Expert 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: Asuncion, Paraguay

Period: June 2^nd 2025 – October 7^th  2026 (295 days)

Part-time/Full-Time: Full-time

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 Environment and Sustainable Development (MADES), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), and Paraguay’s Development Finance Agency (AFD), driving progress across various sectors.

In partnership with MEF, GGGI is implementing a new Green Climate Fund (GCF)-funded technical assistance project titled “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 catalyze private sector investment in climate mitigation.

Key objectives include:

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

• Supporting AFD’s accreditation process to meet GCF’s standards and criteria.

• Operationalizing Paraguay’s Green Taxonomy to provide clear definitions for green assets and investments, fostering transparency and investor confidence.

• Integrating climate indicators and targets into the Paraguay National Development Plan 2050, including a strategy to drive green job creation and sustainable economic growth.

• The project will be implemented under MEF’s leadership by a team comprising GGGI staff, consultants, and external experts.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT 

The Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion (GESI) Consultant will support the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Development Finance Agency (AFD) in mainstreaming gender equality and social inclusion within Paraguay’s climate change policies, financing mechanisms, and institutional frameworks. The consultant will play a pivotal role in ensuring that climate finance governance, programming, and investment decisions integrate GESI principles, fostering equitable and inclusive climate action. The consultant will focus on four key areas:

1. Institutional Capacity Strengthening – Build MEF and AFD’s capacity to integrate GESI in climate finance governance, ensuring compliance with GCF safeguards.

2. GESI Integration in GCF Mechanisms – Embed GESI considerations into Paraguay’s GCF Country Program, Coordination Mechanism, and No-Objection Mechanism to enhance inclusivity.

3. Inclusive Climate Finance and Green Taxonomy – Assess Paraguay’s Green Taxonomy to maximize benefits for women and vulnerable groups, ensuring equitable access to green investments.

4. Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement – Develop training, workshops, and policy recommendations to strengthen GESI implementation across public and private climate finance actors.

5. On-demand Support – Provide flexible, on-demand support to MEF on GESI-related tasks, activities and projects.

SCOPE OF WORK

The GESI Consultant will report to GGGI Project Manager and MEF. The consultant is expected to deliver technical support, capacity-building activities, and strategic guidance across the following key areas:

1. Strengthening GESI Governance and Institutional Policies

• Develop guidance and training materials for MEF’s NDA team and members of the GCF Coordination Mechanism to build capacity on GCF GESI policies, criteria, and safeguards.

• Support MEF in reviewing, integrating and strengthening GESI-related concepts in policies, plans and instruments.

• Provide technical recommendations and oversee the integration of GESI considerations into Paraguay’s GCF Country Program, GCF Coordination Mechanism, and No-Objection Mechanism.

• Support the establishment and operationalization of AFD’s Sustainability Committee, defining roles, responsibilities, and processes for adopting and implementing AFD’s GESI policy.

• Strengthen AFD’s GESI policy by developing clear implementation guidelines and monitoring mechanisms.

• Support AFD throughout the accreditation process to the GCF, supporting GESI-related requests and needs.

2. Ensuring GESI Integration in Paraguay’s Climate Finance Mechanisms

• Conduct an assessment of Paraguay’s Green Taxonomy, identifying opportunities to maximize benefits for women and vulnerable groups in sustainable finance.

• Provide policy recommendations to ensure that green investment flows support gender-responsive and socially inclusive economic growth.

• Support AFD in incorporating GESI considerations into its financial instruments, ensuring that its investment portfolio aligns with best practices in gender equality and social inclusion.

3. Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement

• Design and deliver a GESI-focused knowledge-sharing session as part of the Ministry of Finance NDAs’ knowledge exchange initiatives.

• Organize and facilitate capacity-building workshops for AFD and its financial intermediaries to enhance understanding and application of:

• GESI policies and safeguards,

• Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS),

• Inclusive climate finance strategies.

• Conduct stakeholder consultations to ensure broad participation of gender and social inclusion advocates in Paraguay’s climate finance agenda.

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree in gender studies, social studies or relevant fields. 

• Advanced degree in gender studies, social studies or relevant fields is preferred.

• At least 7 years of professional experience designing and implementing GESI safeguards, policies or projects  

• At least 3 experiences implementing environmental and social safeguards as part of the due diligence of projects and programs. Experience with GCF or GEF projects would be desirable.

• Demonstrated experience of working with vulnerable populations.

• Familiarity with Paraguay’s NDCs, climate change and environmental, social inclusion and gender policies is an asset.

• Proven capacities to facilitate participatory processes, workshops and working sessions with stakeholders.

• Fluency in Spanish and English.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 

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

The consultant will maintain a hybrid working arrangement, working from MEF’s, 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.