CONSULTANT- BASELINE REPORT ON INCLUSIVE SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES AND INSTRUMENTS

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:  Baseline Report on Inclusive Sustainable Initiatives and Instruments Implemented by LFIs in African Member Countries, Covering E&S Performance, Green Tools, Commitments, Gaps, and Opportunities.
• Duty Station: Remote (Home based)
• Contract Duration: 06 May 2024- 15 September 2024
• Number of Workdays Estimated (internal purpose only): 50 days.
• Consultant Level: Level 5

To guide a shift towards sustainable recovery across the African continent, the African Union  (AU) Heads of State and Government adopted in February 2022, the AU Green Recovery Action Plan (GRAP 2021-2027). The AU GRAP focuses on Five (5) key thematic areas: Climate Finance, Clean Energy, Nature Based Solutions, Sustainable Agriculture, and Green and Resilient Cities with a focus on Water and provides a framework for sustainable economic recovery from the pandemic. The development of the AU-GRAP took into consideration the African Union Strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE), which encompasses matters concerning economic empowerment, particularly ensuring that women’s voices are amplified, and their concerns are fully addressed through effective implementation of legislation and proper financing of gender equality work. This process also considered other regional protocols to ensure alignment with AU member states’ commitments.  

In collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) will take a gender-responsive approach to help operationalize the GRAP through the ‘Transformative Climate Finance Program aimed to support the implementation of the AU-GRAP.  

For effective and successful delivery of the TCFP, a comprehensive understanding of the landscape of inclusive sustainable initiatives and financial instruments implemented by Local Financial Institutions (LFIs) in African member countries is needed. This includes evaluating the Environmental and Social (E&S) performance, the adoption and impact of green financial instruments, commitments towards sustainability, and identifying gaps in capacity and opportunities for gender-inclusive growth.  

The objective of this assignment is to produce a comprehensive baseline report detailing the current landscape of inclusive sustainable initiatives and financial instruments implemented by Local Financial Institutions (LFIs) in African member countries. This includes evaluating the Environmental and Social (E&S) performance, the adoption of inclusive practice and impact of green financial instruments, commitments towards sustainability, and identifying gaps in capacity and opportunities for inclusive and gender responsive growth.

The expected deliverables of the Consultant are as follows:  

• Baseline Report: A detailed report encompassing the assessment of E&S performance, analysis of green instruments, evaluation of sustainability commitments, identification of capacity gaps, and exploration of inclusive opportunities for LFIs in Africa. 
• Executive Summary: A concise summary highlighting key findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 
• Presentation: Prepare and deliver a presentation of the baseline report findings to stakeholders and participating LFIs in Africa. 

Role:

1. Literature Review:

• Conduct comprehensive desk review of existing literature, reports, and studies on sustainable initiatives of LFIs within Africa and globally.

1.  Data Collection:

• Gather data and insights from diverse sources, including surveys, online interviews with LFI representatives, and consultations with stakeholders in financial and environmental sectors. [GGGI will provide partial support in coordinating online survey where applicable]
• Ensure thorough coverage of relevant information to provide a comprehensive understanding of LFIs’ sustainability initiatives in Africa and best practices from global level.

1. Analysis and Evaluation:

•  Analyze collected data to assess current E&S performance, utilization of green financial instruments, and level of commitments towards sustainability and inclusivity of gender among LFIs.
•  Evaluate data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement in LFIs’ sustainability initiatives.

1.  Report Writing:

• Develop comprehensive baseline report presenting findings, analysis, best practices, and recommendations for enhancing inclusive sustainability initiatives of LFIs in the region.
• Clearly outline key insights and proposed strategies to address identified gaps and maximize impact of LFIs’ sustainability efforts and role of existing funding/donors support to address identified gaps.

All reports and outputs must be in English, in accordance with GGGI’s formatting requirements, and submitted in hard copy and electronic formats along with complete sets of raw data, research materials, and interview notes.   

• Master’s degree or higher in Environmental Studies, Sustainable Development, Finance, or closely related fields. 
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in sustainable finance, ESG assessments, or related fields, with a focus on the financial sector and working experience with multilateral funds (GCF, AF, GEF & CIF) as an advantage. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects, including stakeholder engagement and report development. 
• In-depth knowledge of green financial instruments, sustainability standards, and ESG reporting frameworks. 
• Strong capabilities in data collection, analysis, and synthesis to identify trends, gaps, and actionable insights. 
• Proven success in engaging with financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and sustainability experts. 
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with proficiency in English (French would be an added advantage) and the ability to articulate complex findings clearly. 
• Awareness and sensitivity to the diverse cultural and operational contexts of African LFIs. 
• Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision, demonstrating high levels of motivation and organization. 

The followings may be included in this section: 

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Proposed one‑page work plan, indicating applicant’s understanding of the TOR; approach to the assignment; the indicative timeline to achieve deliverables.
• Presentation & Interview