ABOUT THE NDC PARTNERSHIP
The NDC Partnership is a global coalition, bringing together 250 members, including more than 130 countries, developed and developing, and more than 110 institutions to deliver on ambitious climate action that helps achieve the Paris Agreement and drive sustainable development. Governments identify their NDC implementation priorities and the type of support that is needed to translate them into actionable policies and programs. Based on these requests, the membership offers a tailored package of expertise, technical assistance and funding. This collaborative response provides developing countries with efficient access to a wide range of resources to adapt to and mitigate climate change and foster more equitable and sustainable development. The NDC Partnership Support Unit is jointly hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC). For this project, the Embedded Advisor will be contracted through WRI.
BACKGROUND
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) of El Salvador is carrying out actions aimed at comprehensively managing climate commitments. The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are being updated, the sectoral implementation plans have been prepared, the need for resources for their implementation has been quantified at $1.05 billion dollars, and other framework instruments are being prepared, such as the Low Carbon Development Strategy 2050 and the National Adaptation Plan. In addition, MARN has initiated the preparation of the Fourth National Communication and the first and second Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR).
Currently, through the NDC Partnership, the country has the support of an NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator who articulates the work of resource mobilization with all sectors of the NDC, which is oriented to this mechanism (NDC Partnership). However, this effort is insufficient, given the high demand for resource mobilization and the fact that the MARN does not have the installed capacity to take advantage of other climate finance opportunities through other entities and windows; making it necessary to have the support of a finance specialist to explore different avenues.
In this regard, El Salvador is planning its Country Program for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as a strategic process aimed at strengthening the national capacity of different actors and sectors to access and manage international climate finance. This process focuses on three key sectors: 1) Agriculture, 2) Water Resources, and 3) Resilient Cities, and includes: a) identifying financing needs and investment opportunities, b) expanding and replicating best practices and lessons learned, c) identifying priority actions considering their strategic importance, and d) preparing two concept notes.
The process carried out by CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – through Global Factor will develop the concept notes for the Agriculture Sector and the Water Resources Sector. In addition, two project idea profiles will be developed for the Cities Sector through a consultation process, which will be validated through workshops.
In accordance with the above and in order to enhance the range of opportunities for mobilizing climate funds that occur in parallel with the enabling process, MARN requires technical assistance through the hiring of a Climate Finance Specialist Advisor to support the formulation of a concept note for the GCF aimed at the Resilient Cities Sector, in order to expand the implementation of the NDC and thus comply with the proposed climate ambition, referring to the comprehensive and coordinated management of climate finance that is managed and accessed by the Technical Unit of the Office at MARN.
CLIMATE FINANCE EMBEDDED ADVISORY MODEL
To support access to climate finance through the formulation of a concept note to the GCF in the Resilient Cities Sector, the Government of El Salvador requested technical support from the NDC Partnership to expand the implementation of NDCs and thus meet its proposed climate ambition.
In response to this request, the NDC Partnership is hiring a consultant to support the Government of El Salvador in the formulation of climate proposals.
The expert in climate finance management for the implementation of NDCs will work remotely in coordination with the Technical Unit of the Office at MARN of El Salvador, the Global Factor consulting team, and the national institutions involved in the process to develop the products. He/She will report to the head of the Technical Unit and will team up with the NDC Partnership in-country facilitator and the institutional technical representative designated by MARN.
SCOPE OF WORK AND ACTIVITIES
Activities
Specific activities include:
Conduct a situational analysis of the target city or cities, considering socioeconomic, environmental, and climatic aspects, based on inputs provided by MARN arising from the GCF’s Country Program for the cities sector, and others identified by the expert professional.
Analyse relevant national and local policies, plans, and strategies (NDCs, climate action plans, urban policies, etc.).
Review alignment with GCF priorities and impact and investment criteria.
Design the theory of change, as well as measurable objectives, results and outputs, consistent with GCF metrics.
Estimate the number of direct and indirect beneficiaries and the magnitude of resilience benefits.
Identify key monitoring and reporting indicators aligned with the GCF Performance Measurement Framework.
Determine the amount and type of financing required (grant, concessional loan, guarantee, etc.), the co-financing structure, identifying national and international sources.
Justify the additionality of GCF financing. And propose a mechanism for post-project financial sustainability.
Identify environmental, social and climate risks, as well as mitigation measures, and ensure that the project complies with the GCF’s Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS).
Draft the Concept Note using the official GCF format.
Prepare technical annexes: maps, graphs, risk analyses, impact estimates, results framework.
Coordinate reviews with the accredited entity and implementing partners.
Participate in meetings with the GCF and make adjustments to the concept note as requested by the GCF.
Deliverables
Specific deliverables include:
Output 1: Develop a work plan
Work plan within 5 working days of the start order.
Output 2. Prepare one (1) draft concept note:
2.1. Prepare a concept note for the resilient cities sector in accordance with the climate projects contained and prioritized in the NDC, and the investment priorities identified in the Country Program Baseline, in the GCF concept note format.
2.2 Participate in meetings with the technical teams
Institutional and consulting team (Global Factor) to obtain input and review the draft concept note
Draft concept note within 35 working days of the start order.
Output 3: Prepare one (1) final concept note:
3.1. Incorporate revisions and comments to the concept note for the resilient cities sector, as requested by the Technical Unit.
Final concept note on December 15, 2025.
Contract Terms
Timeframe and Duty Station
This is a deliverable-based consultancy, to be completed in approximately 10 weeks, from mid-September to mid-December 2025.
Nationality and residency in San Salvador, El Salvador is a plus. However, qualified international candidates who can perform their duties remotely will be equally considered.
QUALIFICATIONS
Academic and Professional Requirements
University degree in one of the following areas (or related fields): Environmental, civil or urban engineering. Architecture with specialisation in sustainable urban planning, environmental or climate sciences, territorial planning or urban management. Master’s degree in climate change, resilient urban management, sustainable development, urban planning, environmental engineering or related fields.
Professional experience: Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in the design, formulation or implementation of projects in the urban sector related to: climate resilience and adaptation in cities, sustainable infrastructure (mobility, energy, water, waste), urban planning and land use planning with a climate focus.
Proven experience in:
• Preparing proposals for climate financing mechanisms (GCF, GEF, NAMA Facility, Adaptation Fund, multilateral banks).
• Developing business models or financial schemes for urban projects.
• Applying theories of change and results frameworks aligned with international standards.
• Integrating gender and social inclusion approaches into projects.
• Having worked with government entities, the private sector, development agencies, and civil society in participatory processes.
Excellent writing, editing, digital and oral communication skills;
Demonstrable experience working in the field of climate finance management in El Salvador is considered an advantage, including, but not limited to, mitigation and adaptation actions, government policy and legal frameworks, and results-based management, project monitoring, budget execution, and tracking of non-reimbursable and reimbursable fund execution.
Nationality and residency in San Salvador, El Salvador is a plus. However, qualified international candidates who can perform their duties remotely will be equally considered
Fluency in Spanish and English.
EVALUATION AND SELECTION
Evaluation Criteria
The following elements will be the primary considerations in evaluating all proposals submitted in response to this TOR:
Completion of all required elements;
CV
Cover Letter
Daily remuneration expectation
Conflict of Interest Declaration
The extent to which the consultant’s proposal fulfills WRI’s stated requirements as set out in the TOR;
Overall cost of the consultant’s proposal;
Debarment and sanctions – WRI will not consider proposals from consultants that are presently debarred by the U.S. government or named on any restricted parties lists;
Sustainability – WRI values sustainability and all other factors being equal, will favor a proposal to more sustainably perform the work.
The applicant offering the best overall value will be selected. For this procurement, the non-price aspect is considered to be of higher importance than the price aspect.
Selection Process
No application/proposal development costs shall be charged to WRI / all expenses are to be borne by the bidders. WRI may award to the bidder offering best value without discussion. However, WRI reserves the right to seek bidder clarifications and to negotiate with those bidders deemed to be within a competitive range.
WRI may, at its discretion and without explanation to the prospective consultants, choose to discontinue this TOR without obligation to such prospective consultants. or make multiple awards under this TOR. Contracts will not be awarded to consultants debarred by the US government or named on restricted parties lists.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a complete application package including Cover Letter, CV, Daily Remuneration Expectation (in USD, expected 40 hours/week), and the completed Conflict of Interest Declaration (see Annex) with the subject ‘El Salvador Climate Finance Embedded Advisor Application’ to
Isabel Pasternack, Country Engagement Specialist, NDC Partnership Support Unit
Isabel.Pasternack.5@ndcpartnership.org,
Veronica Uribe-Kessler, Veronica.UribeKessler@ndcpartnership.org, LAC Team, NDC Partnership Support Unit
ndcpaf@ndcpartnership.org
All proposals must be received by 5:00pm EST on 7 September 2025 in electronic format to the contacts listed above.