Consultant to Develop a Strategy and Concepts for the Freshwater Challenge to Access Green Climate Funds

IUCN Water and Wetlands Team at Headquarters is recruiting a consultant to develop a strategy and concepts for the Freshwater Challenge to access Green Climate Fund (GCF) financing. The Freshwater Challenge is a global initiative to restore degraded freshwater ecosystems and protect intact ones, launched at the UN 2023 Water Conference. Accessing GCF will be critical to scale Freshwater Challenge implementation in developing countries. The consultancy will identify GCF funding opportunities, develop strategic positioning and draft concept notes for priority pipeline projects. Desk-based, no travel expected. 3 months, up to USD 30,000.

Inception meeting and review of Freshwater Challenge documents and existing climate finance landscape for freshwater. Mapping of GCF funding modalities relevant to freshwater (Readiness, PPF, Funded Activities, EDA). Develop GCF access strategy for the Freshwater Challenge. Draft concept notes for priority pipeline opportunities. Support engagement with GCF Secretariat and National Designated Authorities where relevant. Final strategy and concept note package.

Senior climate finance specialist with deep GCF expertise. Demonstrated track record developing successful GCF concept notes or readiness proposals. Familiarity with freshwater, wetlands or related ecosystem-based approaches. Strong analytical and writing skills. Fluent English. IUCN Declaration of Undertaking.

IUCN standard consultancy evaluation: CV (with GCF track record), technical proposal, financial proposal. Combined scoring with strong weight on demonstrated GCF success. Award to highest combined score within USD 30,000 ceiling.