Consultancy: Strategic Climate Finance Advisor for Asia

Description

Background: 

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. 

Mercy Corps’ ten-year Pathway to Possibility strategy identifies Climate Change as one of two primary drivers of fragility globally. It also outlines five core organization-wide commitments, one of which commits Mercy Corps to being a ‘Climate-Smart’ organization. Our mission is to raise awareness, drive tangible changes, foster innovation and, most importantly, empower vulnerable communities. This isn’t just a blueprint for action—it’s our pledge to a more resilient and sustainable future for all. In essence, our climate-smart commitment outlines the ways our work must change to ensure our programs have the enabling conditions to achieve climate impact. As an organization, we plan to: Build Our Climate IQ, Walk the Talk, Ensure Program Impact, Expand our Funding Base, and Raise our Influence within the Global Climate Movement. 

Purpose / Project Description: 

The purpose of this consultancy is to support meeting two of our four climate-smart commitments of Ensure Program Impact and Expanding our Funding Base in the Mercy Corps Asia region by harnessing additional climate finance opportunities and understanding country-specific donor priorities and visions. As Mercy Corps is a Green Climate Fund (GCF) non-accredited entity, this consultancy aims to help our Asia country teams access the GCF and Adaptation Fund (AF) through the Direct Access track by engaging directly with the country-specific National Designated Authorities (NDA), relevant ministries and Accredited Entities, and providing recommendations for country teams on next steps based on strategic thematic areas of focus and stakeholder engagement. 

Consultant Objectives: 

This consultancy has three primary objectives: 

1. Help selected prioritized country teams understand the current GCF and AF investments and the NDA’s priorities. 
2. Help identify potential entry points for working with the NDA to submit concept notes through the direct access track. 
3. Establish plans and strategies for continuing to engage the NDA in order to advance toward concept submission. 

Consultant Activities: 

The Consultant will: 

1. Through desk research, help Mercy Corps country and regional teams understand the priorities, state of funding, and opportunities to engage the NDA in a prioritized mix of country contexts. 
2. Based on the desk research and consultation with regional leadership, identify three countries out of Mercy Corps’ portfolio (Afghanistan, Georgia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Timor-Leste, and Uzbekistan) with the most opportunities and lead the remote coordination of initial engagements between country leadership and the NDA for the GCF and AF in those countries. The aim of these consultations will be to learn about: (a) The current standing on Readiness Programme (i.e. Are they accessing the money for Readiness or NAP development? Are they looking for support?) (b) the existing project pipeline, including identity of direct access entities and interest in partnering with Mercy Corps to implement. (c) Their interest in supporting Mercy Corps’ effort for accreditation at the global level. 
3. Based on the above develop a short report for each pre-identified country that lays out (a) key findings from the desk research and consultations, (b) recommendation and workplans for each country to continue the engagement, and (c) draft a concept note for two of the most well-positioned teams. 

Consultant Deliverables: 

The Consultant will: 

1. Conduct desk research to understand the climate finance context of GCF and AF in each Mercy Corps’ country 
2. Support prioritization of three countries to support longer term engagement 
3. Coordinate engagement between Mercy Corps and the NDA, relevant ministries, and accredited entities 
4. Draft final reports for each country that document what has been learned, recommended thematic areas and entry points and the next steps based on country stakeholder’s interests and priorities. 
5. Draft a Guidance Document for GCF and AF in terms of requirements and a flow chart for how the process works with an example timeline. 
6. Draft two technical concept notes based on relevant donor priorities 

• The final deliverables will be the three country level reports and two concepts in line with what has been described above. 

Timeframe / Schedule: 

This consultancy should be completed within four months of starting 

• First Month for Desk Research and work with the region to identify priority countries 
• Second and Third Month for virtual support for meetings with NDA, relevant ministries, and Accredited entities 
• Fourth Month to write the three country-level reports, guidance document, and drafted concept notes 

The Consultant will report to: 

Senior Director for Climate and Environment on the Technical Resources and Quality Team and New Initiatives Senior Advisor for Climate and Energy in Asia 

The Consultant will work closely with: 

Asia Portfolio Country Leadership (Country Directors, Directors of Programs, and Key Program Managers) 

Regional Leadership (Deputy Regional Director – Programs, Regional Business Development Senior Advisor, Regional TRaQ Director) 

Required Experience & Skills: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical field (Master’s preferred) 
• 5-10 years of technical experience 
• Experience working with GCF programming, with thorough understanding of climate funding and donors relevant to Asia 
• Climate relevant knowledge and expertise especially relevant to Asia region 
• Track record of producing high quality recommendation and strategic visioning for climate programming  
• Experience in resource mobilization for climate related programming preferably in Asia 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.  

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work. 

Safeguarding & Ethics 

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. 

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