Adaptation Fund Project Development Consultant (Ghana)
Organizational Context
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is a specialized agency promoting industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization, and environmental sustainability. UNIDO's mission, aligned with the 2030 Agenda and SDGs, focuses on promoting and accelerating inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Member States. The organization's work supports SDG-9 and contributes to all SDGs through technical cooperation, research, policy advice, normative functions, and partnerships. UNIDO's Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS) oversees strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development, including environment, energy, MSMEs, and digitalization, and contributes to achieving SDGs through industrial policy advice and capacity development. The Division of Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP) specifically assists Member States in developing and deploying low-carbon and climate-resilient industrialization solutions, fostering innovation ecosystems, and facilitating compliance with international environmental agreements.
Job Purpose
To finalize a draft Adaptation Fund (AF) project concept note for Ghana, titled “Strengthening Ghana’s District-Level Evidence-Based Adaptation and Resilience,” and to conduct in-country stakeholder consultations. The project aims to operationalize the Ghana Climate and Sustainability Hub as a national coordination and innovation center for climate intelligence and resilience planning, aligning with Ghana's national climate adaptation strategies and emphasizing decentralized, evidence-based adaptation across its districts. The consultant will address identified gaps in the concept note, including economic, social, and environmental benefits, cost-effectiveness, national technical standards, knowledge management, consultative processes, and environmental and social safeguards.
Responsibilities
Review the draft Adaptation Fund Concept Note against AF criteria and identify gaps. Develop a stakeholder engagement plan and mission schedule for Ghana. Conduct in-country stakeholder engagement, including consultations with national institutions, communities, and vulnerable groups, focusing on gender. Draft consultation-dependent sections of the Concept Note. Finalize remaining sections of the Concept Note, ensuring internal consistency and readiness for submission. Address UNIDO review comments.
Work Experience
Minimum of five years of professional experience in climate change adaptation, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa, with international exposure. Demonstrated experience in developing Adaptation Fund proposals or similar international climate finance proposals, including familiarity with AF concept-stage requirements. Experience in stakeholder engagement and consultation with national institutions, communities, and vulnerable groups, with attention to gender. Residence in Ghana or a neighboring country is required. Familiarity with environmental and social safeguards (ESP) and gender screening in climate finance projects, and knowledge of Ghana's climate policy and institutional context are desirable.
Skills
Climate change adaptation, proposal development, stakeholder engagement, consultation, gender analysis, environmental and social safeguards, knowledge management, project management.