National Consultant- Climate Finance Officer and GCF Proposal Writer
Purpose and Objectives: Agriculture is crucial to Pakistan’s economy, contributing 19.2% to GDP and providing livelihoods for a large portion of the population. However, climate change threatens the sector, affecting water availability, soil moisture, and crop productivity. Pakistan is highly vulnerable, with rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns posing risks to food security.
Precision agriculture offers a promising solution by optimizing resource use and minimizing environmental impact through technologies like GPS-guided equipment, automated irrigation, and drones. These innovations improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance yields. Capacity building and knowledge management are vital to the widespread adoption of these technologies, aligning with national goals such as the Agriculture Policy, National Climate Change Policy, Nationally Determined Contributions, National Adaptation Plan, and Sustainable Development Goals. Investments in these areas will modernize agriculture, ensuring sustainability and resilience against climate change.
The goal of the project is to build capacity for precision agriculture by creating a centralized knowledge management system in both Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. This system will store and organize information to support education and practical applications through workshops and webinars. A comprehensive Readiness Action Plan will be developed to enhance institutional capacities, address policy gaps, and promote climate-smart agriculture using precision tools.
The National Consultant-Climate Finance Officer and GCF Proposal Writer will play a pivotal role in securing climate finance for precision agriculture initiatives. He/she will support the team in developing and implementing climate-resilient agricultural practices, integrating precision agriculture technologies and ensuring alignment with GCF goals to enhance productivity, sustainability and adaptive capacity of farming systems in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
Expected Outputs: The Consultant will be expected to produce the technical and research-based deliverables in line with the terms of reference of this assignment by performing specific tasks as outlined in the Responsibilities and Tasks section and the deliverable plan of the project.
Responsibilities and Tasks:
The consultant will lead the development of high-quality GCF funding proposals and concept notes, including developing financial models and budgets, conducting financial due diligence on potential partners and projects, and ensuring the effective and efficient use of project funds. The consultant will be responsible for the following (timeline for each deliverable will be determined during the inception phase of the project):
Deliverables 1 – 40%
Strategic Frameworks
1.1 Conduct a scenario analysis through desk reviews and assess Business-As-Usual activities, complemented by a policy gap analysis to inform initial recommendations for enhancing public-private partnerships in precision farming. Sub-outputs include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Prepare a report based on a comprehensive desk review of national and regional reports, academic studies, and market analyses to identify prevailing trends, actors, and technological practices in precision farming as an evidence base for understanding Business-As-Usual (BAU) activities across the agriculture sector.
- Identify and catalogue current precision farming initiatives, programs, and investments led by government bodies, private agribusinesses, research institutions, and development partners to clarify roles, overlaps, and existing modes of collaboration or fragmentation in the ecosystem.
- Prepare a report by analyzing existing agricultural, technological, and investment policies, including subsidies, extension services, digital infrastructure, and climate-smart agriculture frameworks. Identify critical policy gaps, regulatory bottlenecks, and enabling conditions for effective public-private partnerships in precision farming.
- Using the BAU assessment and policy gap analysis, develop plausible scenario narratives (e.g., high-tech uptake vs. low-coordination stagnation). Formulate initial policy and institutional recommendations for catalyzing investment and collaboration in precision agriculture through stronger public-private engagement.
1.2 Develop a strategy for mobilizing private sector investment in precision agriculture. Sub-outputs include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Conduct a market landscape and investment barrier analysis.
- Design investment incentive mechanisms and blended finance models.
- Engage private sector stakeholders and potential investors in forums.
1.3Establish an investment forum to connect agri-tech companies with investors and government stakeholders. Sub-outputs include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Organization of an investment forum connecting agri-tech companies, potential investors, and government stakeholders, with a summary of key discussions, partnership opportunities, and commitments made.
- A detailed Gender Gap Assessment Report highlighting the specific challenges faced by women farmers in adopting precision agriculture, along with targeted policy and investment recommendations to improve gender-inclusive participation in the sector
Deliverables 2 – 30%
Pipeline Development
2.1 Prepare concept notes in collaboration with Resilient Agriculture Specialist for priority sectors with the support of the RPSP for submission to the GCF and MoCC&EC for the upscaling of prioritized precision agriculture techniques. Sub-outputs include, but are not limited to, the following:
- A GCF concept note for the upscaling and implementation of prioritized precision agriculture techniques.
- Detailed project framework, including objectives, climate rationale, expected outcomes, and alignment with Pakistan’s climate resilience and agricultural policies.
- Consultation summary report, documenting inputs from external experts, key stakeholders, and GCF focal points.
- Financial plan and resource mobilization strategy, outlining proposed funding mechanisms, co-financing opportunities, and investment pathways.
- Implementation roadmap, detailing project phases, responsible agencies, key performance indicators (KPIs), and monitoring & evaluation (M&E) mechanisms.
2.2 Conduct technical sessions in co-development write shops in Punjab and GB for local stakeholders, including government officials and civil society organizations on the development of GCF concept notes and proposals, with an emphasis on climate-smart and precision agriculture initiatives and prioritize projects that integrate precision agriculture with climate resilience strategies for Pakistan. Submit a report confirming the following inputs and outputs:
- Successful organization of write shops in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), engaging local stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, and technical experts.
- Training materials and toolkits on developing GCF concept notes and proposals, with a focus on climate-smart and precision agriculture initiatives.
- Prioritized project pipeline, identifying key precision agriculture initiatives aligned with climate resilience strategies for Pakistan.
- Draft GCF concept notes developed during the write shops, outlining project objectives, climate rationale, expected impacts, and funding requirements.
Deliverables 3 – 20%
Capacity Building
Submit a report confirming the following inputs and outputs:
3.1 Facilitate in conducting a comprehensive gap analysis and highlight areas where improved information sharing is most critical
3.2 Facilitate in establishment of information repositories for stakeholders to access reports, research papers, guidelines, and other relevant documents on precision agriculture.
Deliverables 4 – 10%
Collaborate with other team members to ensure that all project activities are informed by sound analysis and evidence-based decision-making.
In addition to the outlined deliverables, the consultant is expected to perform any other tasks related to the deliverables and assigned by the director, team lead and supervisor. Also, the timeline of deliverables may be revised depending on the different operational factors and project priorities.
Working Principles: The consultant will report to the Team Lead/Director of the Risk Governance and Financing department. In Addition, the consultant will work closely with the project team and receive support from the team members continuously to achieve completion of the listed deliverables. The consultant is required to have a meeting every one week with the project team of ADPC to update the progress in addition to any need-based meetings arranged under the project,
Qualifications:
1. Master’s degree or higher in finance, economics, business administration, environmental sciences, or any related fields.
2. At least 7 years of experience in climate finance, financial management, or related fields with demonstrated knowledge of GCF processes and international climate finance mechanisms.
3. Experience in leading the development of high-quality GCF funding proposals and concept notes, including developing financial models and budgets, conducting financial due diligence on potential partners and projects, and ensuring the effective and efficient use of project funds.
4. Experience in conducting in-depth research on GCF funding windows and priorities, explore other sources of climate finance, and build stakeholder capacity on accessing and utilizing climate finance.
5. Similar work experience in Government/INGO/bilateral or multilateral development partner-funded projects is preferable.
6. Demonstrated ability and plan and organize work and time independently.
7. Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience in working in a multi-cultural environment.
8. Strong desire to learn, and undertake new challenges, must be a creative problem-solver, must have self-confidence, willing to work hard, and to deliver quality work.
Duty Station: Islamabad (Hybrid modality), Pakistan
Duration: The total time of the assignment and the period during which the work should be completed is a period of 18 months.
Itinerary: If the Consultant is required to travel for field work, consultations, meetings, and workshops the cost of official travel, if any, is to be borne by ADPC.
Condition of payment: Payment shall be made on an output-based basis, conditional upon the satisfactory delivery of services and subject to formal review and written approval by ADPC.
Selection Method
The consultant will be selected in accordance with ADPC’s recruitment process.
How to apply
Interested Candidates can submit the completed ADPC application form, (downloadable from www.adpc.net), resume, copy of degrees/certificate(s) together with a cover letter, to: procurement@adpc.net
Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.
ADPC encourages diversity in its workplace and supports an inclusive work environment.
