Terms of Reference (ToR)
PIPELINE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST TO REDUCE DEFORESTATION FOOTPRINT
1. Background
The United Nations Environment Programme 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.
UNEP is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system. UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnerships in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.
UNEP has done some initial work in blended finance through the development of the Climate Resilient Fund (CRF) concept, intended to bridge the gap between the government, private sector, and communities, coordinating cross-functionally to bring about large-scale positive change. Based on the progress, the Government of Indonesia (GoI) requested UNEP’s further support to continue supporting the Indonesian Environment Fund (BPDLH) in 2023 to finalize and operationalize this initial concept and design for CRF as a pay-for-performance blended finance structure to help ensure predictable funding and efficient operations for Indonesia’s restoration and conservation programs. The CRF provides the opportunity to attract significant funding to complement GoI’s efforts to meet its NDC in land-use sectors.
The concept was presented by the GoI at COP 27 on November 20, 2022 and has attracted the attention of stakeholders and donors. It was designed for quick impact capitalization while providing investors and donors with accountability and assurance. It targets areas with potential High Carbon Value HCV) or High Carbon Stock (HCS) through REDD-contributing restoration, preservation, and conservation programs. The scope of the consultant’s work is to generate a pipeline of projects for financing and implementation through the Climate Resilient Fund that will contribute to reducing productive use footprint on forests.
Yayasan Pusat Informasi Lingkungan Indonesia, generally referred to as PILI-Green Network, is an NGO. The activities and capabilities of PILI-Green Network are centered on information collection and exchange, as well as project facilitation to increase stakeholder capacity for biodiversity and natural resource protection in Indonesia. Regarding the project/program known as “2023-2024 UN-REDD Program Technical Assistance” in Indonesia, UNEP is co-operating with PILI-Green Network. The Pipeline Development Specialist to Reduce Deforestation Footprint is expected to develop a pipeline of projects and investments to support reduced deforestation and degradation (REDD) financing. The Specialist (Consultant) will report to the National Programme officer of UNEP in Indonesia and UNEP Asia Pacific UN-REDD Coordinator, and will provide administrative reports to the PILI-Green Network Project Manager.
2. Job Description
To accelerate the development of the Climate Resilient Fund (CRF) and the Result-Based Payments (RBPs) concepts and structures for climate finance mobilization, it is important that UNEP be supported by experienced and knowledgeable specialists. The main objective of this consultancy is to develop a pipeline of projects and investments to support reduced deforestation and degradation (REDD) financing.
3. Key Activities
For this assignment, the Specialist (Consultant) will work closely with the UNEP and BPDLH teams. The Consultant is expected to collaborate closely with CRF and RBP consultants who are working on complementary aspects to this scope of work. The consultant will pursue the following courses of action:
- Pipeline Identification
- Define a CRF project selection criteria (considering the financial, economic, and environmental perspectives) in coordination with UNEP and BPDLH teams;
- Conduct market research to indentify current trends, opportunities, and innovative project ideas in climate resilience, renewable energy and waste.
- Conduct an initial review to filter out projects that do not meet the basic criteria or have low feasibility
- Identify potential reimbursable (loans and equity) and non-reimbursable (grants) projects that meet the objectives and selection criteria of the CRF;
- Review project proposals and provide technical and financial analysis, as well as guidance on requirements and objectives of financing from the CRF;
- Review pipeline deals, and provide BPDLH, MoEF, and UNEP project teams with early assessment and recommendations regarding potential for financing from CRF;
- Develop a pipeline of projects, supported by proper information and analysis, to be presented to BPDLH, MoEF, and UNEP project teams;
- Coordinate the pipeline development with different stakeholders.
4. Ultimate Result of Service
The ultimate result of service of the recruitment of the Pipeline Development Specialist is as follows:
A robust pipeline development report to support CRF for accessing RBPs with guaranteed compliance to the GoI/MOEF regulations in consultation with the respected authorities.
5. Reporting
The Expert (Consultant) will report to the National Programme officer of UNEP in Indonesia and UNEP Asia Pacific UN-REDD Coordinator, and will provide administrative reports to the PILI-Green Network Project Manager. UNEP’s technical assistance will help with the initial work to provide a pipeline to assist the GOI in meeting the level of readiness for the issuance of the CRF and blended concessional structure finance instruments.
6. Qualification Requirements/Evaluation Criteria
a. Education:
- An advanced University degree, preferably in economics, finance or business, environment and natural resource management, international development, or a related field; or the equivalent combination of education and work experience is required.
b. Experience:
- A minimum of 10 (ten) years of experience is required, preferably in a combination of related fields such as project pipeline development related to climate finance, financial design and structuring, green investment, project management, public-private partnerships, and development. The candidate should also have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, and approaches of climate financing and Indonesia’s public policies and regulations related to REDD.
- Experience in loan/equity/grants origination, structuring or portfolio management with a proven track-record working with both equity and debt. Relevant experience in supervising equity investments (direct or through funds) is required, in particularly understanding and analysis of financial projections and audited statements is desirable.
- Experience in investment projects related to climate mitigation climate adaptation/ resilience, green finance will be highly valued. Candidates should be able to understand and oversee the quantification of the CRF’s environmental benefits (mitigation and adaptation) and associated co-benefits (biodiversity, ecosystem services) is desirable.
- Proven solid experience in a similar role in an investment firm or development financial institution would be highly desirable, as well as experience in the preparation of development projects in Indonesia and/or Asia is desirable.
- Demonstrated understanding of and experience with Indonesian government system and key stakeholders in the forestry and land use sub-sectors, private sector and markets will be highly favorable is desirable.
- Proven track record on multi-sectoral and cross-institutional collaboration including with representatives of government and non-government partners is desirable.
c. Evaluation Criteria:
- Profound knowledge of theories, concepts, and practical approaches related to ESG, Infrastructure Development, Climate Change, REDD+, carbon markets, and the valuation of carbon in the Indonesian context, supplemented by hands-on experience in environmental management or climate change adaptation.
- A thorough understanding of the political and economic contexts influencing infrastructure development and land-use or forestry issues in Indonesia.
- Proven capability in developing safeguard or ESG criteria for funded infrastructure projects.
d. Skills:
- Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change, REDD+, and Indonesia’s regulation on economic value of carbon and practical experience in environmental management, climate change adaptation or other related fields.
- Understanding of OJK regulation related to capital market especially on the asset management alternative investment product.
- Demonstrated experience developing scalable/bankable projects for financing.
- Demonstrated experience working with climate finance instruments.
e. Language:
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consulting position, fluency in oral and written English and Bahasa is required.
7. Timeline
The consultant will be working 50 days towards the outputs to be generated in the year 2024. The following are the allocated days to achieve the expected outputs and deliverables:
| DELIVERABLES | DELIVERY DATE | Allocated Days | |
| 1. | Workplan, timeline, and methodology used to gain the project results | August 5, 2024 | 2 |
| 2. | CRF project selection criteria definition by considering the credit rating | September 25, 2024 | 4 |
| 3. | Mapping of projects that meet the objectives and selection criteria of the CRF | 8 | |
| 4. | Technical and financial analysis of identified projects | October 25, 2024
|
18 |
| 5. | Early assessment and recommendations regarding potential for financing from CRF by project | November 25, 2024 | 8 |
| 6. | Final report of pipeline projects for CRF facility including proposal for investors | December 20, 2024 | 10 |
| Total | 50 | ||
8. Financing
The total budget required for the procurement of 1 (one) Expert (consultant) is 8,000 USD. The type of contract is a lump sum contract with output-based assignment.
To apply, directly send your CV to ajeng@pili.or.id and ajeng.m.putri@gmail.com for a confidential discussion. Please be informed that only shortlisted applicants will be notified