COLOMBIA: GREEN GROWTH PROJECT ASSISTANT

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 

The Project Assistant plays a crucial role in providing coordination and technical support for the implementation of the UKPACT GGGI´s programs Energy and Bioeconomy projects in Colombia. Their contribution ensures the smooth running of the Projects in close coordination with the GGGI Colombia administrative team and in liaison with relevant stakeholders at the national level.

As a member of the project team, the Project Assistant will have the opportunity to contribute to the implementation of the UKPACT GGGI´s programs in Colombia. This includes the development of program and resource mobilization documentation, communication campaigns and material, knowledge sharing material, desk research, and organization of national events. The role also involves liaison with technical Ministries and other stakeholders in the Renewable Energy & Bioeconmy fields, providing a unique opportunity for professional growth and networking. Additionally, the Project Assistant will support data collection activities, enhancing their analytical and research skills.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

GGGI has a diverse portfolio of programs in developing countries around the world. Together with global products and services, these in-country programs focus on delivering results through an integrated approach of evidence-based green growth planning and implementation aligned to “countries” development priorities. The organization also focuses on knowledge development and management activities, which build a solid theoretical and empirical basis for green growth while providing concrete options and guidance for policymakers, as well as creating the conditions for public and private green infrastructure investments.

GGGI has been working with the Government of Colombia to advance green growth policies and green investments through strategic partnerships such as with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Ministry 

of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Treasury and Public Credit, and the National Planning Department (DNP), among others. Since 2014, GGGI has supported the DNP in its objective of advancing a green growth vision and transition plan for Colombia that can support climate goals and SDGs achievement. GGGI supported the development of the Green Growth Taskforce led by DNP (2016-2018), which produced solid and relevant information for the design and concertation of the Green Growth Policy- GGP (adopted by means of CONPES 3934 of 2018).

One strategic axis of the GGP aims to promote the sustainable use of natural capital, which includes the Bioeconomy as one key strategy to foster the low carbon economy through adding value to generate products, processes, and services based on responsible use of biodiversity and biomass. In that regard, GGGI supported the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation – MinCiencias, the National Planning Department, and other stakeholders in the technical design and concertation of the National Bioeconomy Mission “Para una Colombia Potencia viva y diversa: hacia una Sociedad impulsada por el conocimiento.”

In that regard, GGGI has been granted three consecutive times for implementing the project “Accelerating the development of new bioeconomy businesses and enhanced capacities for green jobs promotion and increased climate action ambition from policy implementation and integration” (CO26), in which a Bioeconomy Accelerator Mechanism- MAPBIO was created, as well as a Bioeconomy Taskforce and Open Innovation Challenges. In this current phase of the UKPACT cooperation, a new cohort of MAPBIO is supporting two bioproducts, an additional open innovation challenge in biopesticides was launched, and phase two of the Bioeconomy Taskforce is in the readiness phase for supporting the implementation of the Bioeconomy mission, especially with three of the most relevant Ministries involved which are the MinCiencias, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development – MinAmbiente, and the Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Industry – MinComercio.

In addition, in March 2023, the Global Green Growth Institute was awarded funding by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office of the government of the United Kingdom to continue with the third phase of the project, “Scaling up rural electrification via capacity building to public and private actors” (CO27). The project delivers demand-driven technical assistance to the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), the Institute for Planning and Promotion of Energy Solutions for Non-Interconnected Areas (IPSE), subnational entities, and selected private-sector developers to deploy sustainable and affordable energy access solutions to rural communities and households in alignment with Colombia’s National Development Plan, updated NDC, Energy Transition Law, and Energy Transition Mission.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGMENT 

The primary role of the Project Assistant is to support the project team in the timely delivery and safeguarding of the consistent quality of outputs and activities of the UKPACT Projects on Renewable Energy and Bioeconomy in Colombia. The Project Assistant supports the Project team in ensuring the smooth operations of the Projects, data compilation and analysis, impact measurement, case studies analysis and dissemination, counterpart meetings and events preparation insights, and other operational functions.

He/she will support the project team in implementing the UKPACT GGGI´s programs in Colombia, including the development of the program and resource mobilization documentation (slides, investment teasers, and pitch decks), communication campaigns and material, knowledge sharing material, desk research and organization of national events. He/she will also support the liaison with technical Ministries and other relevant stakeholders in the Rural Electrification & Bioeconomy fields.

DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE 

The Project Assistant will support the activities developed by the UKPACT team, helping to update the databases, making spatial representations and analyses for various products, and supporting the logistics, meetings, and communications activities.

SCOPE OF WORK

The assignment includes the following tasks but is not limited to:

1) CO26 Project

• Support the management of information integrated with databases regarding green businesses and companies with the potential to scale the biodiversity business, enabling market conditions.
• Elaborate the monitoring and technical assistance of the Bioeconomy Open Innovation Challenge.
• Support the development of the MAPBIO 3.0 cohort, considering Minciencias’ requirements.
• Support the design of a survey or similar tool to identify milestones, the MAPBIO’s impact, and mechanisms for open innovation challenges.
• Support the activities related to articulating bioeconomy joint efforts between Minciencias, Minambiente, and Mincomercio.
• Support the adjustments needed for the bioeconomy case studies.
• Monitor the progress of processes and support the inquiries of INNpulsa, Minciencias, and other key stakeholders.

2) CO27 Project

• Support the update of a template or form for identifying milestones and the impact of the public and private rural electrification projects.
• Elaborate reports that include the progress of GGGI energy communities’ initiatives
• Monitor the process’s progress and support the inquiries of Minenergía, IPSE, and other key stakeholders.
• Provide cost-cutting support by attending meetings, drafting emails, providing technical input for discussions, leveraging impact, and creating stakeholder engagement.
• Support the adjustments needed for the rural electrification case studies.
• Support the development of the knowledge exchange program on rural electrification, including best practices and case studies. 

3) Crosscutting activities

• Develop PowerPoint presentations and concept notes as requested by senior team members
• Liaise with country teams and other external project partners
• Develop communication, marketing, and knowledge material documenting GGGI experience and track record.
• Participate in project-related meetings and calls and elaborate meeting minutes, agendas, and presentations.
• Contribute to organizing and coordinating capacity-building workshops, webinars, and events (virtual and presential) with different partners in Colombia.
• Provide technical inputs for project reporting: Support the Green Growth Implementation Officer in compiling the technical insights, evidence, and information for donor and GGGI reporting in a timely manner.
• Ensure the high quality of the narrative and technical evidence for donor and GGGI reporting schemes.

REPORTING ARRAGEMENTS

The Project Assistant reports to the Green Growth Implementation Officer. The consultant’s work progress will be monitored primarily through periodic review meetings for planning and weekly short face-to-face (or virtual) meetings for prioritizing activities, all of that previous consensus with the Contract Supervisor. In this review, meetings will tackle subjects such as the overview of the contractual objectives, the development of activities, detailed information milestones, actual achievements made against the timeline initially set, and any other relevant progress details.

Deliverables will be produced in Spanish, by GGGI’s formatting requirements, and submitted with proof of editable file back-up (e.g., .docx, .pptx) in the GGGI SharePoint system. Additionally, the consultant will deliver one monthly brief in English explaining the activities developed the month before and for any other deliverable, if so requested by the Project Manager. Where relevant, the consultant shall also provide raw data sets, research materials, and meeting notes related to the contractual objective.

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

1) Academic qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, economics, international relations, and political science is preferred.
• An advanced degree in Sustainable Development, Renewable Energy, Bioeconomy, Project Management, or related fields is an asset.

2) Functional/Experience

• Two years of relevant working experience in fields related to Renewable Energy, Bioeconomy, Sustainable Development, Green Growth, or similar is preferred.
• Experience in monitoring project deliverables, preferably in the NDC or green growth sectors.
• Experience working with the government (national and sub-national level) and non-government counterparts on a day-to-day basis in Colombia is an asset.
• Excellent capacity analysis/development skills
• Strong project management abilities, including planning, monitoring, contractor supervision, and reporting.
• Knowledge of the Bioeconomy, green business, or biocommerce context and hands-on experience working in Colombia is preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish and English
• Experience working in a multi-cultural and international organization is preferred.
• Experience in organizing events in a dynamic environment with a variety of stakeholders is highly preferred.
• Excellent command of the spoken and written Spanish language, as well as proficiency in the English language, will be valued positively.
• Willingness for occasional travels to rural areas in Colombia.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

• Selection method/process: Competitive
• Timeline of the selection: 15 days
• Applications will be included: Cover Letter and CV must be sent in English
• Date to close is Korean Standard Time (KST).