Programme Policy Officer (GCF Project Proposal Support) SSA8 - Remote Eligible

Consultant For Climate Adaptation Project Proposal

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. WFP is fully aware of the impact that the climate emergency is currently having on achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 (SDG 2). Findings from the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicate that climate change could increase the risk of hunger and malnutrition by up to 20 percent by 2050, and its impacts will be felt disproportionately on the most food insecure and vulnerable. WFP is committed to step up the number and scale of its climate-related interventions to support adaptation efforts of vulnerable people and governments globally, focusing on food and nutrition security. WFP is supporting governments to access climate finance from various bilateral and multilateral sources such as the Adaptation Fund (AF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The processes to design climate adaptation projects, draft the proposals and related documentation, review the proposals with the respective funds' secretariats and submit them to the funds' Boards need extra efforts, time and specific capacities. Specifically, the WFP Tajikistan office is planning the development of a Green Climate Fund (GCF) project to build upon the achievements of the ongoing GCF programme and mobilize additional funding for climate adaptation and early warning activities. For the above purpose, WFP country office in Tajikistan is seeking to contract national consultant to support preparation of the Funding Project Proposal to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and submission by the end of January 2026.

The consultant will work as employed (on need basis) with a daily rate starting at 58.76 USD.

The incumbent will work under the direct technical supervision of the International Consultant, who leads the drafting of the GCF Project proposal and will report to the Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Building (CCARB) Coordinator with overall guidance of the Head of Programme in WFP Tajikistan. The national consultant will focus on data collection, adaptation of framework, stakeholder engagement, country context alignment and drafting of country-specific inputs to support seamless submission process.

The incumbent is expected to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Support review of GCF proposal templates, guidelines, and investment criteria to ensure full compliance with the Fund's requirements through analyzing the latest GCF documentation, understanding mandatory sections and annexes, and identifying key elements such as impact potential, paradigm shift, sustainable development, country ownership, and efficiency/effectiveness.
• Contribute to analysis of relevant national strategies, policies, and sectoral plans to ensure the proposed project is fully aligned with national priorities and international commitments.
• Assist reviewing climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, development plans, and sector-specific frameworks to identify synergies and gaps.
• Support in the assessment of existing project concept notes and feasibility studies to identify strengths, gaps, and areas requiring improvement for GCF compliance, in particular, reviewing technical, financial, and environmental aspects of the documents, evaluating their alignment with GCF investment criteria, and determining whether additional data or analysis is needed.
• Contribute to consultations with key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, and beneficiary groups, to gather inputs and ensure country ownership of the proposed project. The consultations should aim to validate project objectives, identify potential risks and opportunities, and incorporate stakeholder perspectives into the funding proposal.
• Document the process of consultations in line with GCF requirements, including evidence of engagement and letters of endorsement where applicable.
• Provide substantive inputs and coordination support to the development of key annexes of the GCF Funding Proposal by drafting, reviewing, and refining content to ensure completeness, accuracy and compliance with GCF requirements (preparing the project summary, theory of change, logical framework, financial model, risk assessment, environmental and social safeguards, gender action plan, and monitoring and evaluation plan) jointly with Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) team.
• Support in the economic and financial analysis of the project benefits, including a detailed assessment of cost-effectiveness, return on investment, and long-term sustainability.
• Support in data collection, drafting, consolidation and quality review of strategic documents, analyzing direct and indirect benefits, evaluate financial viability under different scenarios and demonstrate alignment with GCF investment criteria such as efficiency and effectiveness.
• Support conducting economic and financial analysis including sensitivity analysis, identification of potential risks and provision of recommendations to strengthen the project's economic rationale for climate finance.
• Prepare required proposal annexes including but not limited by feasibility studies, financial analysis, ESS screening, gender assessment, letters of endorsement, etc.
• Facilitate review workshops with stakeholders.
• Collect feedback and support finalization of the proposal for submission
• Support in any other tasks, as needed.

For the above position, field travels within Tajikistan will be required for stakeholder consultations and data collection. Travel costs will be covered according to WFP rules and procedures.

Deliverables:

• Inception Report (work plan, methodology, timeline)
• Draft Annexes and Supporting Documents (complete sections for review)
• Stakeholder consultation documentation (minutes, photos, attendance lists, etc.).
• A consolidated draft project proposal package (zero-draft with inputs).
• Report on data gaps and recommendations for strengthening economic/financial justification.

Education:

Advanced University degree in development studies, decree in Agriculture, Agriculture Economics, Natural Resource Management is an asset. A bachelor's degree in the fields mentioned above or related fields is required.

Experience, Knowledge & Skills:

At least 3 years of experience in development of projects with component in climate finance, agriculture/rural development, agricultural value chain development but 5 years of experience or more is desired. Experience working with government ministries or development partners in Tajikistan. Proven experience in developing GCF or other climate finance proposals. Experience in conducting stakeholder consultations and drafting consultation reports. Full literacy in Microsoft Office and excellent presentation skills. Strong analytical and drafting skills, with ability to synthesize technical information.

Languages:

Required fluency (level C) in verbal and written English and Russian. Fluency in Tajik is desired.