Result of Service

The results of this scoping study will inform the revision of the theory of change as per CIC2 comments, strengthen the sustainability section of the proposal and help refine the following project activities

Work Location

Home based

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Organisational Setting The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP’s Climate Change Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at its COP 16 held in Cancun in 2011 approved a process to enable member states to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) as a means of identifying medium- and long-term adaptation needs and developing and implementing strategies and programmes to address those needs. The Paris Agreement (2015) in its global goal on adaptation (Article 7) brought new elements and dimension to the climate change adaptation. Namely, enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change, with a view to contributing to sustainable development and ensuring an adequate adaptation response in the context of the global temperature limit of less than 2°C. The UNFCCC’s Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) on adaptation released Guidelines for National Adaptation Plans (December 2012). Furthermore, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has issued guidance on adaptation planning approaches. Mozambique ranks amongst the countries most vulnerable to climate change. The severe and increasing impacts of climate change on weather patterns and natural disasters are resulting in direct human casualties, as well as degrading people’s livelihoods and the ecosystems supporting them. To address the impacts of climate change on coastal communities in Mozambique, and to provide long-term solutions, the Government of Mozambique (GoM) decided to request funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) support. A concept note supported by a pre-feasibility study was developed by UNEP in close collaboration with the Government of Mozambique and endorsed by the GCF in February 2023. UNEP is now embarking on the development of the full funding proposal. Consultancy services are required to develop a scoping study on ways to bring in financing for continued project implementation once GCF resources have been disbursed. This includes consideration of innovative mechanisms to channel in finance from private sector resources for ecosystem restoration and protection. This assignment will feed the full feasibility study and funding proposal package. It will be key input into the development of the paradigm shifting and impact potential of the project The proposal addresses the intertwined problems of droughts, floods, cyclones and associated soils and water salinity linked to climate change in the Mozambican estuary areas of Bons Sinai, Zambezia and Limpopo. Climate change impacts in the three estuaries are already affecting over 300 000 people and without rapid action this number of affected people will likely increase to over 1,5 million in 2100. The objective of the proposal is to mitigate identified climate impacts through integrated ecosystem-based approaches by providing protection against floods and cyclone through nature-based solutions and strengthened early warning systems and adapting to drought and salinity through rainwater harvesting and promotion of climate-resilient and saline-tolerant livelihoods. Duties and Responsibilities In order to achieve the expected Outcomes, Outputs and Deliverables (see Deliverables section) the Expert will perform the following tasks and will report to UNEP Task Manager in Climate Change Adaptation Unit and Adaptation portfolio Manager and work closely with the lead international consultant in charge of the full submission package development. 1.Unlock private sector finance for EbA based on new knowledge of the economic benefits of ecosystem-based approaches (Activity 1.13) 2.Assess whether the Restoration Insurance Service Company (RISCO) model from Conservation International can be replicated to the relevant project sites in Mozambique, and to adjust the structure and associated financial instruments as needed (Activity 2.1.1) 3.Assess options to leverage additional finance from investors in blue carbon or ecosystems restoration based on existing initiatives supported by IUCN, Earth Security and Dahlberg among others. Potential collaborations could take the form of co-investment with GCF funds supporting enabling environment, technologies and/or capacity building and partner investors directly supporting mangrove / ecosystems restoration (Activity 2.1.1) 4.Assess the alternative financing modality of “Mangrove Trust Fund”. The trust fund would be a Restoration and Resilience Financing Facility that enables capital markets to contribute to mangrove restoration and the protection of communities from climate disaster. This approach also integrates insurance for mangroves as a natural asset, and in promotion of nature-based solutions (Activity 2.1.1) 5.Address the gap in the agriculture insurance market and support smallholder farmers’ access to climate risk insurance. This will include looking at the design of an agriculture-based insurance product that could act as a de-risking instrument to cover smallholders in the aftermath of an extreme climate events and support their future access to existing credit lines. This will include assessing potential collaboration with existing insurance schemes such as the R4 Rural Resilience Initiative, flagship WFP insurance programme that has been implemented in some parts of Mozambique. (Activity 2.2.2) 6.Identify the baseline on climate risk insurance looking at the MEBA (Micro-financing for EbA) model and Yapu Solutions (a private company working to bridge microfinance and EbA solutions) and for programme (Activity 2.2.2) 7.Establish a revolving fund using grant funds (including criteria for selection of beneficiaries, modalities for providing financing, decision-making processes for allocating grants, etc.) to support most-promising climate-resilient economic activities and businesses in a context of difficult access to credit and finance for community members. Award grants will be provided to beneficiaries through an award system or competitive-based mechanism. (Activity 3.2.2) 8.Assess potential for off-take agreements between beneficiaries (through cooperatives when appropriate) and relevant national and regional companies as a way to strengthen their access to markets (Activity 3.2.2 Activities To do so the consultant will, among others, scope out and come up with financing options. As part of this assessment, the following approaches will be evaluated. There could be some overlaps in the mentioned opportunities: 1.Unlock private sector finance for EbA based on new knowledge of the economic benefits of ecosystem-based approaches (Activity 1.13) 2.Assess whether the Restoration Insurance Service Company (RISCO) model from Conservation International can be replicated to the relevant project sites in Mozambique, and to adjust the structure and associated financial instruments as needed (Activity 2.1.1) 3.Assess options to leverage additional finance from investors in blue carbon or ecosystems restoration based on existing initiatives supported by IUCN, Earth Security and Dahlberg among others. Potential collaborations could take the form of co-investment with GCF funds supporting enabling environment, technologies and/or capacity building and partner investors directly supporting mangrove / ecosystems restoration (Activity 2.1.1) 4.Assess the alternative financing modality of “Mangrove Trust Fund”. The trust fund would be a Restoration and Resilience Financing Facility that enables capital markets to contribute to mangrove restoration and the protection of communities from climate disaster. This approach also integrates insurance for mangroves as a natural asset, and in promotion of nature-based solutions (Activity 2.1.1) 5.Address the gap in the agriculture insurance market and support smallholder farmers’ access to climate risk insurance. This will include looking at the design of an agriculture-based insurance product that could act as a de-risking instrument to cover smallholders in the aftermath of an extreme climate events and support their future access to existing credit lines. This will include assessing potential collaboration with existing insurance schemes such as the R4 Rural Resilience Initiative, flagship WFP insurance programme that has been implemented in some parts of Mozambique. (Activity 2.2.2) 6.Identify the baseline on climate risk insurance looking at the MEBA (Micro-financing for EbA) model and Yapu Solutions (a private company working to bridge microfinance and EbA solutions) and pforR programme (Activity 2.2.2) 7.Establish a revolving fund using grant funds (including criteria for selection of beneficiaries, modalities for providing financing, decision-making processes for allocating grants, etc.) to support most-promising climate-resilient economic activities and businesses in a context of difficult access to credit and finance for community members. Award grants will be provided to beneficiaries through an award system or competitive-based mechanism. (Activity 3.2.2) 8.Assess potential for off-take agreements between beneficiaries (through cooperatives when appropriate) and relevant national and regional companies as a way to strengthen their access to markets (Activity 3.2.2) Deliverables. 1.Inception report including a clear workplan and timeline and detailing the approach, methodology (including specific data collection tool) that will be followed to deliver the ToRs (in English) together with a list of stakeholders to be contacted and involved and a mission plan if necessary. 2.A scoping report highlighting the best options to unlock private sector finance for EbA through the insurance sector, private investors for ecosystem services and credit for climate resilient livelihoods and enterprises including key recommendations on how to refine project related activities, ToC and sustainability section. Recommendations could be presented under a matrix of financing mechanisms (RISCO, trust fund, MEBA etc) with an evaluation of appropriateness of each and also how/whether they overlap and if the recommendation is to consider more than one – why and implementation modalities including ‘soft’ agreements with partners. 3.A clear strategy to secure sustainable sources of innovative finance to ensure long term protection and continued restoration of mangrove and other key ecosystems for climate change adaptation through private sector finance and innovative mechanisms/partnerships integrated in the full proposal. This could include, among others, clear recommendations of business model, and/or implementing partners, definition of payment/income streams, costs and activity plan for implementing models as relevant. Description of activities 1.1.3, 2.1.1, 2.2.2, 3.2.2, ToC and sustainability section of the full proposal revised to reflect this strategy. In addition, after submission of the proposal, the consultant will be expected to support with the development of responses to GCF comments related to this work if needed and as requested by UNEP.

Qualifications/special skills

A master’s degree in business administration, management, economics or related field is required. 5 years of progressively responsible experience and track record of experience for the following, preferably for projects in areas related to climate change adaptation is required. At least one previous professional positions/ assignments related to government planning processes is desirable. Working with agriculture value chains and smallholder farmers, particularly to put in place climate resilient agricultural practices is desirable. Design of financing models and underlying business cases for smallholder famers to access finance, including linking value chains to offtake agreements is desirable. Scoping of partnerships with private sector intermediaries, entities and investors for blended finance approaches in the agriculture sector is desirable.

Languages

For the position advertised, fluency in spoken and written English required.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.