Request for Expression of Interest, Climate Finance, Bankable Project Proposal and Carbon Market Development Experts-April 2024 Full Time

The AECF, a leading African-based development organization, is committed to supporting innovative small and growing businesses in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors and cross cutting areas. With a primary focus on reducing climate vulnerability, exposure to physical and transitional climate risks, and rural poverty, the AECF strives to promote climate-resilient communities and investments while fostering sustainable, climate-smart, and green economies. Having raised over US$400 million to date, the AECF provides catalytic funding to enterprises across 26 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly targeting businesses that struggle to meet traditional risk-return standards for commercial investors and banks.

Aligned with its objectives and climate finance strategy, the AECF champions SMEs through diverse initiatives, spanning the distribution of solar home systems, off-grid solar systems, electric vehicles, biogas off-grid systems, clean cook stoves, agribusiness technologies and services, climate change adaptation finance and mitigation measures, as well as innovative financing instruments and grants. To deepen its impact and tackle gender disparities comprehensively, the AECF seamlessly integrates gender lens investing into its strategies and operations, extending into areas such as the blue economy, biodiversity, natural capital, and nature-based solutions (NBS).

In light of the above interventions and increasing demand, AECF is broadening its collaboration with implementing entities (IEs), executing entities (EEs), and National Designated Agencies (NDAs) to access climate finance from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund, and Global Environment Facility (GEF). Actively seeking partnerships with these entities and other multilaterals and development partners enables AECF to leverage resources and expertise effectively in addressing climate change challenges, while reinforcing its commitment to align with the goals of the UNFCCC and its parties towards net zero and a resilient society.

More information about AECF can be found on www.aecfafrica.org

The Request for Expression of Interest (EOI) seeks to establish a pool of experts specializing in climate finance, bankable project proposal development, carbon market development, and sustainability reporting. These experts will provide technical assistance to AECF and its investees/grants/partners seeking climate finance, aiding in the creation of viable project proposals in both mitigation and adaptation including cross cutting areas, exploring opportunities in carbon markets, and supporting sustainability reporting efforts. Their expertise will be instrumental in driving forward the development of climate-resilient projects and initiatives while ensuring transparency and accountability in sustainability practices.

Work Assignment

Invitations are extended to climate finance experts, including individuals, firms, or research centers, to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) detailing their areas of expertise. We welcome submissions from those specializing in various aspects of climate finance, ranging from project development and bankable proposals to carbon market strategies and sustainability reporting. Your insights and capabilities are essential in advancing climate resilience and sustainability efforts.

Service categories:

• Carbon market domain: Provide technical assistance in carbon offset project development and management, carbon pricing mechanisms and policy analysis, carbon trading and market analysis, carbon footprint measurement and reduction strategies, carbon credit validation, verification and certification, carbon finance and investment advisory services, market research and policy advocacy and capacity building.
• Agriculture and food security: Provide technical assistance in developing and implementing low-emission and climate-resilient Agriculture and Food Security investments projects including low-emission and climate resilient value chains, water management and irrigation for agriculture, resilient agricultural landscape and agroforestry, community-based adaptation, climate information tailored to small-scale farmers, capacity building, institutional and policy change. Other areas of crop, livestock, aquaculture, and fishery and climate risk and gender mainstreaming tools will be critical alongside the integration of climate risk and gender mainstreaming tools.
• Water Security and management: provide technical assistance in developing and implementing low-emission and climate-resilient water resources management projects in developing countries, including water supply and sanitation, flood control and drought management projects.
• Health: Provide technical assistance in developing projects for resilient health systems and services integrating your knowledge of climate change into the social and environmental determinants of health and well-being.
• Ecosystems and ecosystem services: Provide technical assistance in developing, and/or implementing ecosystem and ecosystem services investments and interventions using your knowledge of nature-based solutions (NBS) biodiversity and ecosystem services and structure projects for funding around coastal ecosystems (wetlands, mangroves), peatlands, coral reefs, coastal management, conservation management blue carbon management, sustainable management of fisheries, ecosystem valuation and related processes.
• Energy generation and access: provide technical assistance in developing and implementing low-emission and climate-resilient Renewable Energy projects and investments. In both public and private sector in the energy value chain.
• Energy Efficiency: Provide technical assistance in developing, structuring and implementing energy efficiency projects and investment for financing using your knowledge of industrial processing as well as efficient appliances and equipment focusing on efficient cooling, efficient motor systems.
• Low emissions transport: Provide technical assistance in project structuring, underwriting, and investment and implementation in low-emission and climate-resilient Transport investments using your knowledge of mobility planning at national and municipal level and transport technologies such as EV and fuel-cell charging systems.
• Forest and land use: Provide technical assistance in developing and implementing low-emission and climate-resilient investments, projects and programmes in forest landscapes in developing countries. This includes forest value chains, sustainable forest management, REDD+, forest restoration and conservation, financial mechanisms (grant and non-grant instruments) for sustainable forest landscapes, forest carbon accounting, deforestation-free commodities supply chains.
• Assessments & Gender Analysis in all climate change projects: Implement comprehensive gender assessments, and analyses across all climate change projects to ensure gender considerations are integrated effectively and incorporating gender-responsive strategies and actions into project activities to promote gender equality and women empowerment.
• Deal structuring, innovative climate financing, and capital market instruments: Provide technical assistance in innovative climate finance instruments such as blue bonds, green bonds, debt-for-nature swaps, and sustainability-linked bonds investments.
• Sustainability reporting and resilience metrics: Provide technical assistance in developing robust reporting frameworks and metrics that accurately measure progress in building resilience to climate change impacts while effectively mitigating emissions.
• Digital climate financing and blockchain technology: Provide technical assistance in innovative digital solutions and blockchain technology to enhance climate finance mechanisms to maximize impact in climate related initiatives.
• MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) systems: Provide technical assistance in designing training and implementing MRV system for AECF to effectively ensure accountability, monitoring, and reporting outcomes in all its climate finance programmes.
• Capacity training in climate risks screening tools: Provide technical assistance in training of NDAs and executing entities (EEs) and advisory services to banks and microfinance institutions including areas of support to implement the NAPAS, NAPS and revised NDCs on climate change adaptation.
• Marketing Materials and brochures: Develop and deliver marketing and branding materials including social media handles on innovative climate financing ideation to increase the visibility of AECF in the climate space and ultimately increase awareness and impact of climate finance projects.

Areas of expertise and skills:

Carbon Markets:

• Knowledge of carbon pricing mechanisms and trading platforms, Skills in project identification, validation, and verification, Understanding of climate change policies and regulations, Proficiency in emissions measurement and reporting, Ability to conduct cost-benefit analysis and risk assessment, Skills in planning and implementation, Experience in engaging with diverse stakeholders, Strong communication and advocacy skills, Awareness of emerging technologies in carbon finance and Understanding of sustainability principles on environmental and social safeguards.

Climate change Bankable Projects and management

• Developing, reviewing and/or evaluating climate change mitigation or adaptation project/programme proposals, as well as implementing climate change projects/programmes in developing countries in different regions.
• Developing, implementing, and reviewing climate projects/programmes in at least two sectors among the GCF/GEF/AF result areas, and across micro to large project sizes.
• Implementation and oversight of environmental and social safeguards and policies, including gender policies.
• Design and implementation of results management frameworks for the monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes including ToC for different pathways.
• Risk analysis of projects/programmes, particularly for the management of financial and operational risks and financial modelling.
• Deeper understanding of impact assessment of climate mitigation, including carbon accounting, or adaptation projects/programmes.
• Deeper understanding of financial and economic analysis on a project/programme level.
• Deeper understanding of policies and procedures of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and keeping abreast of communications of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and other relevant processes is desirable.
• Extensive knowledge in the design and implementation of climate information, early warning/early action and broader disaster risk reduction projects/programmes.
• Proficient in developing and implementing robust reporting frameworks, including greenhouse gas emissions reporting, climate risk assessments, and sustainability disclosures.
• Expertise in project identification, design, and implementation, as well as navigating the GCF funding application process.
• Proficient in developing and implementing ESG and gender reporting frameworks, including assessing project impacts, ensuring gender equality, and promoting social inclusion.

Innovative financial instruments and projects:

• Proficiency in developing complex financial models to assess the feasibility and impact of climate financing instruments. Examples include green bonds, blue bonds & Debt for nature swaps, guarantees and derisking tools.
• Ability to identify and assess financial, technical, and environmental risks associated with climate finance initiatives.
• Deeper understanding of climate change green policies, regulations, and incentives to design financing instruments that align with national and international climate goals.
• Deeper understanding of market dynamics and trends to identify opportunities for innovative financing solutions.
• Understanding of climate technologies and solutions to design financing instruments that support the deployment of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other climate mitigation and adaptation measures.
• Familiarity with legal frameworks and regulatory requirements to ensure that financing instruments comply with relevant laws and regulations.
• Ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, financial institutions, private sector entities, and civil society organizations, to develop consensus and support for innovative financing mechanisms.
• Deliver advisory services to banks, MFIs, SMEs regarding climate risks, gender inclusion, mainstreaming and transformation.
• Deliver design thinking, sensemaking and collaborative knowledge workshops or activities to generate knowledge products from AECF’s carbon funds and climate change programmes.
• Proficient in leveraging digital solutions to enhance climate finance mechanisms, including blockchain technology, digital platforms, and fintech innovations.
• Creating comprehensive green taxonomies to classify climate-friendly investments, designing effective climate finance strategies, and outlining theories of change to guide impactful climate finance interventions.

Countries of experience:

• Sub-Saharan Africa

Expected skills:

• Applicants must demonstrate recognized technical capacity and expertise, supported by at least 7 years of relevant professional experience in an international environment, in at least one of the following technical specialties:

1. Experience working in developing countries across Africa especially sub-Saharan Africa.
2. Expertise developing private sector projects, instruments, implementing, and reviewing climate projects/programmes in at least two sectors among the GCF/GEF/AF result areas, and across micro to large project sizes.
3. Experience working with international, regional, and national entities and with different financial instruments including grants, loans, equity, and guarantee.
4. A strong educational background in fields such as environmental science, sustainability, climate change, economics, engineering, or business with a focus on circular economy principles. Advanced degrees (e.g., master’s or doctoral) in relevant disciplines are preferred.

More broadly, individuals/research firms interested to serve as international experts should demonstrate the following qualifications:

1. Extensive operational experience in some of the AECF Fund’s result areas and UNFCCC funds and Multilaterals; Reduced emissions from; Energy access and power generation; Low emission transport; Forests and land use; Increased resilience of livelihoods of people, communities, and regions-Health and wellbeing, and food and water security; Ecosystems and ecosystem services.

• Professional experience in the financing, development, and implementation of public and/or private sector projects in developing countries.
• Working knowledge of the project management cycle, including origination, implementation, and activity oversight.
• Deep understanding of policies and procedures of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and keeping abreast of communications of the IPCC, revised NDCs, NAPAs and NAPs and other relevant processes is desirable.
• Strong, technical, analytical, report writing, and research skills (Quant + Qual) related to climate change; along with sectoral expertise in any of the following sectors: Renewable Energy, Agri-business, Blue economy, women empowerment, youth engagement, disability, and women intersectionality’s.
• Demonstrated experience working in roles related to circular economy initiatives, such as sustainable business development, waste management, resource efficiency, or product lifecycle management. Experience in both public and private sectors, as well as with NGOs or international organizations, can be valuable.
• Ability to contextualize and to integrate gender into programmes and intervention approaches in complex and fragile ecosystems.
• Strong knowledge and skills in sustainable finance, impact investing, and innovative financing mechanisms is desirable.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of French language is an asset.

Tagged as: Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, Bénin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire