JOB DESCRIPTION

National Development Plan, Sustainability 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: Asunción, Paraguay

Contract Duration: 8 months (125 workdays) from February 02, 2026, to September 22, 2026

Consultant Level: Level 4

Project background

The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and GGGI are launching 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.

Objectives of the assignment

The National Development Plan, Sustainability Consultant will complement the development of Pillar III – Environment and Energy and the integration of climate resilience and sustainability considerations into Paraguay’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2050 by conducting assessments of planning instruments (National Energy Policy 2050, Environmental Policy, among others); facilitation of the participation of key stakeholders; and the review of indicators and proposals for sectoral goals/targets.

The overall objectives of the Consultant position are to:

Propose targets based on objectives linked to Pillar III, related to biodiversity conservation, natural resource management and the promotion of their value, climate resilience, and energy security, ensuring alignment with national and international climate commitments and the strategic objectives of the NDP. This shall take into consideration the targets and commitments established in the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 and other relevant sectoral policies available, as applicable.

Identify financial requirements for achieving the targets contemplated under Pillar III of the NDP 2050, using the Plan’s strategic actions as a basis. This includes a cost estimate for implementing priority actions.

Map the strategic actions that already have financing (public, private, international, others) and determine financing gaps in accordance with the requirements for achieving the targets.

Propose financing sources for those pillar III targets of the NDP that require greater resource mobilization to be achieved.

Provide advisory support on the integration of climate objectives into planning and budgeting processes that contribute to the achievement of the established targets.

Scope of work

The National Development Plan Sustainability Consultant will report to GGGI Project Manager and to the Planning Directorate of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).

The consultancy will consist of the deliverables, activities, and products detailed on the table below. The timeline will be adjusted during the first week of the consultancy, based on the recommendations of the MEF team.

Deliverables

Activities/Products

Amount

Due Date

1

Determination of Pillar III Targets of the NDP 2050

Validate the proposed environmental indicators for the NDP 2050 under SMART criteria (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). Where an indicator does not meet these criteria, the consultant shall adjust, reformulate, or propose an alternative indicator, ensuring relevance, measurability, data availability, and alignment with the objectives of the Plan, as a basis for target setting.

Advise MEF on methodologies for setting climate- and sustainability-related Pillar III targets of the NDP 2050, aligned with national priorities and policies and national and international environmental commitments.

Support the preparation of workshops and the systematization of results for target setting, as required by the MEF.

Detail the methodology used.

Products:
(i) Report including the review of Pillar III indicators and targets, disaggregated by indicator, as well as supporting documentation of the methodology applied in each case;
(ii) Meeting reports (minutes, comment matrices, agreements reached, and lists of participants disaggregated by gender).

20%

April 6, 2026

2

Estimation of the monetary cost of achieving Pillar III targets

Validate the strategic actions of Pillar III of the NDP 2050 in relation to the established objectives and targets.

Define financial and technical parameters, in consultation with the MEF and other entities as required.

Collect and analyze historical cost information or comparable regional/international data.

Model cost scenarios.

Monetarily quantify strategic actions according to the targets established for each indicator of Pillar III.

Detail the methodology used.

Product: Report with the estimated total cost per target, sub-target, and strategic action, including the methodological framework for costing targets and strategic actions (cost models, investment/operational assumptions, discount rates, etc.) for Pillar III of the NDP 2050.

20%

May 25, 2026

3

Mapping of existing financing and identification of gaps

Data collection with national institutions (MEF, MADES, INFONA, etc.) and international cooperation.

Allocation of available financing by target/strategic action.

Classification by type of source, modality, and time horizon.

Cross-checking information of estimated costs and available funds.

Detail the methodology used.

Product: Report identifying current financing flows and sources (public, private, cooperation, climate funds, others) for Pillar III and the gaps between required costs and identified financing, including methodological details.

20%

July 3, 2026

4

Proposal for additional financing sources to close gaps

Analysis of eligibility and available financial windows.

Identification of innovative financing mechanisms.

Preparation of a prioritized opportunity matrix based on gap size, feasibility, and climate alignment.

Detail the methodology used.

Product: Report proposing specific national and international financing sources (GCF, GEF, BDM, CAF, IDB, private sector, green instruments, bonds, swaps, incentives, etc.) for Pillar III, including methodological details and recommendations on financial implementation mechanisms by type of target.

20%

August 10, 2026

5

Integration of Climate Objectives into NDP Planning and Budgeting

Identify a preliminary public budget allocation contributing to climate mitigation and adaptation objectives, aligned with updated NDCs and international reporting commitments (e.g., UNFCCC, Paris Agreement).

Advise and recommend the integration of climate and sustainability objectives into sectoral planning and budgeting processes of the NDP 2050, in accordance with the national planning cycle and the current budget cycle.

Develop recommendations and practical tools (checklists, matrices, workflows) to integrate Pillar III objectives into the national budget.

Detail the methodology or methodologies used.

Products: (i) Proposal of mechanisms to integrate Pillar III targets of the NDP 2050 into the planning cycle, including methodological details;

(ii) Proposal of mechanisms to integrate Pillar III targets into budgeting (such as climate tagging, prioritization criteria, budget tracking, and financial MRV), with operational recommendations for institutions under the planning system, prioritizing Pillar III of the NDP 2050, including methodological details.

20%

September 22, 2026

The National Development Plan, Sustainability Consultant will work closely with the National Development Plan, Monitoring and Reporting Consultant, the Sustainable Finance Consultant and other relevant consultants involved in the project, in order to maximize the results of the Project and avoid duplication of efforts.

Payments will be made against delivery of the products with prior approval of the Planning Directorate of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), and the approval of the GGGI Project Manager.

The Consultant should integrate GGGI’s and MEF’s comments within 7 days from receipt of the comments or modification requests.

Reporting Arrangements

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

The consultant will be required to work from the premises of the MEF as instructed by the Economic Development Directorate.

Qualifications/Experience/Expertise

Bachelor’s degree in economics, environmental engineering, forestry engineering, or relevant fields.

Advanced degree in climate change and environmental studies or related fields development economics.

At least 5-8 years (preferably 8) of professional experience in planning, monitoring, follow-up, or evaluation of programs using quantitative methods, including technical report writing and the application of scientific techniques.

Professional experience working with the public or private sustainable development sector will be valued. Previous experience working with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and public budget is an asset.

Strong understanding of Paraguay”s climate change plans and objectives.

Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

Administrative information

Cover letter and CV

Selection method/process: competitive selection

Timeline of selection (publication and interviews in January; selection in February)

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.

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.