NDCP Climate Finance Expert – Papua New Guinea (Technical Specialist, Environmental)

1. The objective of this assignment is to support the CCDA in the design and operationalization of the Climate Change and Green Growth Trust Fund by developing a comprehensive, results-oriented White Paper and associated instruments. These will provide the technical foundation for establishing a credible, well-governed and strategically structured national climate finance vehicle that enables PNG to attract, manage and deploy climate finance at scale. The assignment is aligned with the country’s broader climate finance architecture and is informed by the guiding methodology outlined in the Climate Investment Planning and Mobilization Framework (CIPMF), developed by GCF and the NDC Partnership to help countries build robust and investable climate finance systems. 

The duration for this assignment is expected to be ten (10) months. with possibility of extension subject to performance, budget and organizational needs.

This is a Home-Based position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from UNOPS offices, work arrangements will be setup with the government and NDC Partnership Support Unit. If the selected candidate is international, please anticipate travel for at least 2 country missions to PNG. Exact dates and duration will be discussed and confirmed with the PNG Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) and the NDC Partnership Support Unit.  

* This is a Homebased position; the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software.
** This Position is open to both nationals and international candidates. Preference will be given to candidates already residing in PNG. 

Under the overall guidance of CCDA and in supervision of NDCP Partnership Development Specialist the Climate Finance Expert will undertake the following tasks: 

• Create a work plan within the first month in agreement with the government Focal Point and the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist;

• Conduct a desk review of existing documentation, including PNG’s climate strategies (NDCs, NAP, sectoral roadmaps), relevant legal instruments and the CIPMF; 

• Analyze legal and regulatory frameworks enabling the establishment and functioning of the Fund, identify legislative gaps and propose enabling reforms; 

• Assess existing institutional mandates, fiduciary capacities and operational arrangements within CCDA and related entities 

• Conduct a risk analysis for the fund’s incorporation and execution – technical, financial, market-based, and other risks, and identify potential interventions and map them to the risks.  

• Propose governance structures aligned with international standards (e.g., GCF, GEF), including Board composition, decision-making processes and oversight functions; 

• Define the fund’s capitalization pathways (e.g., domestic and international allocations, public and private, donor contributions, blended finance) and replenishment mechanisms; 

• Design fund allocation models and disbursement modalities, including co-financing principles, access modalities and performance-based payments; 

• Draft a preliminary investment strategy including funding windows/facilities aligned with PNG’s NDC and NAP priority sectors and thematic needs and other climate plans and strategies; 

• Propose fiduciary policies for financial integrity, auditing, reporting, and risk management, taking consideration as well environmental and social sustainability, gender responsiveness, and stakeholder participation of the fund.; 

• Design environmental and social safeguard frameworks aligned with international standards; 

• Develop a gender and social inclusion policy tailored to PNG’s context; 

• Propose a robust M&E framework with indicators for performance, impact and transparency, as well as lessons learned, and best practices of the fund; 

• Design feedback mechanisms to support adaptive management and iterative improvement; 

• In close collaboration with CCDA, facilitate inclusive consultations with key stakeholders across government, civil society, local communities, academia and international development partners; 

• Conduct a detailed assessment of constraints and opportunities for private sector engagement and identify instruments that could incentivize private co-financing; 

• Assess the capacity gaps – human and institutional capacity – for the fund’s operationalization, and design a capacity-building roadmap for CCDA and relevant institutions, identifying specific institutional and human resource gaps and the interventions needed to address them; 

• Develop a comprehensive, evidence-based White Paper incorporating all elements above; 

• Present draft findings for stakeholder validation and integrate feedback into final deliverables; 

Specific deliverables pertaining to these tasks will be further discussed and confirmed during the coordination meeting for the Workplan between the Consultant, NDC Partnership and CCDA.

Required

• With a Master degree, a minimum of 5 years of experience in the design, implementation, or evaluation of climate finance instruments, preferably including national or regional trust funds; 

• Demonstrated knowledge of fiduciary standards and governance systems used by international climate funds (e.g., GCF, AF, GEF, CIF); 

• Proven experience developing investment strategies, co-financing mechanisms, or blended finance structures in developing countries; 

Asset 

• Prior work with or for government agencies and/or international development organizations; experience in SIDS or Pacific countries is highly desirable; 

• Strong familiarity with climate policy frameworks and public financial management systems in the context of climate change; 

• Proficiency in English is required.