BACKGROUND
Context
Namibia submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 2.0) in January 2024 under the Paris Agreement. The revised NDC outlines the ountry’s commitment to enhancing its greenhouse gas (GHG) sink potential relative to a business-as-usual scenario by 2030. The NDC targets a total mitigation potential of 11.902 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO₂e), comprising 7.669 Mt CO₂e in emission reductions and 4.213 Mt CO₂e in increased carbon removals. Achieving these targets will require an estimated investment of approximately USD 9.05 billion.
Among the sectors identified, the Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector accounts for the highest mitigation potential at 7.986 Mt CO₂e (67%), followed by the energy sector at 3.613 Mt CO₂e (30%). The energy sector’s decarbonization focus includes significant investments to expand
renewable energy penetration, with projected costs of approximately USD 7.68 billion, largely dependent on international climate finance and development cooperation.
Namibia is currently in the process of developing its third NDC (NDC 3.0), with the aim of submitting it by the end of October 2025, alongside an Implementation and Investments Plans that outline the required resources, priority actions, and financing pathways for delivering on its commitments. In parallel, the country has developed a Long-Term Vision to provide a strategic direction for achieving net-zero development, which is pending finalization. Moreover, Namibia is also considering the development of a full Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) to guide transformative low-carbon economic planning beyond 2030.
On the adaptation front, Namibia has received a Readiness Grant from the GCF to support the formulation of its National Adaptation Plan (NAP), aimed at strengthening adaptation planning through medium and long-term resilience building and coordination through institutional capacity strengthening
and identification of adaptation investment priorities.
To meet these ambitious climate targets, the Government of the Republic of Namibia, through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), is committed to mainstreaming climate action across all sectors and levels of governance, taking a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. As part of this effort, NDC targets are integrated into the Vision 2030 and the forthcoming Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), particularly under the environmental sustainability pillar. In parallel, Namibia is also updating the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP II) and its
Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets.
The updated NDC outlines mitigation and adaptation actions across key sectors, including energy, transport, industry, forestry, and land use for mitigation, and agriculture, water, infrastructure, ecosystems, and livelihoods for adaptation.
To support the implementation of these climate actions, particularly in enhancing climate finance flows, conducting economic analyses, and preparing feasibility studies for investment-ready proposals, the MEFT is seeking the services of a Climate Change Economic Advisor. The Advisor will play a key role in supporting the development of NDC 3.0 and its associated investment planning process, ensuring alignment with national development priorities, aspirations and climate finance opportunities.
Embedded Advisory Model
The Climate Change Economic Advisor will be embedded in the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), and will be working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the National Planning Commission (NPC) and other key line ministries and stakeholders.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Climate Change Economic Advisor will provide targeted economic and financial expertise to support Namibia’s climate policy and planning processes, particularly in the context of the development of NDC 3.0 and the formulation of the NDC Implementation and Investment Plan. While the In-Country Facilitator is responsible for overall coordination and facilitation of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement process, the Economic Advisor will serve as a technical resource, offering in-depth economic analysis and pre-feasibility studies to inform and guide climate finance mobilization, investment planning, and integration of climate goals into national development frameworks.
Working under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership’s Government Focal Point within the MEFT, and in close collaboration with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and In-Country Facilitator and Commonwealth National Climate Finance Adviser (CNCFA), the Climate Change Economic Advisor will
undertake the following responsibilities:
• Review Namibia’s current investment policies, legislation, strategies, and frameworks for their responsiveness to NDC commitments, including relevant case studies from other countries.
• Identify gaps in the current investment policy environment that may hinder the achievement of Namibia’s climate ambition through the NDCs.
• Engage key stakeholders using a whole-of-society approach, including women, youth, and marginalized groups, to support a baseline assessment and ensure gender-responsive action.
Develop a stakeholder database to collate and organize relevant information, with a special focus
on the private sector.
• In close collaboration with MEFT, MoF, and NPC, produce a brief analytical report mapping financial sources and identifying investment opportunities at international, regional, and local levels.
• Identify gaps in financing and investment opportunities related to the implementation of NDC energy sector targets and coordination efforts.
• Propose additional financial sources and opportunities to support the NDC Strategy and Action Plan. Develop a stakeholder database outlining roles and responsibilities for resource mobilization and sustainable financing strategy.
• Support the Climate Budget Tagging and Expenditure Review process.
• Recommend international best practices for mobilizing resources for NDC mitigation and adaptation efforts.
• Support the establishment of a Donors and Investors Working Group, in close collaboration with MEFT, to coordinate financing for NDC implementation.
• Undertake prefeasibility studies on four (4) priority project ideas aligned with NDC priorities.
• Engage stakeholders to link identified needs with available services and resources, and to inform NDC implementation priorities.
• In collaboration with CNCFA, assist the government in preparing at least four (4) bankable concept notes to support the implementation of priority actions under the NDC Strategy and Action Plan, including identifying financing options for currently unfunded activities.
Deliverables
Specific deliverables include:
Deliverables Timeframe
▪ Inception Report and Work Plan Within two weeks after contract signing
1. Climate finance mapping report Within two months after contract signing
2. Support to NDC update (NDC 3.0), NDC Implementation revision and Investment Plans development Within five months after contract signing
3. Recommendations on international climate finance best practices Within three months after contract signing
4. 4 prefeasibility studies to inform four NDC -aligned concept notes Within five months after contract signing
Timeframe and Duty Station
This is a full- time position based in Windhoek, Namibia or 5 months, with possible extension. The expected start date is 15 July 2025
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a complete application package that includes CV, cover letter and daily remuneration expectation to Mirjam Kaholongo at mirjam.kaholongo.5@ndcpartnership.org, copying ndcpaf@ndcpartnership.org at the NDC Partnership Support Unit by 4 July 2025 with the subject
‘Namibia NDC Partnership Climate Change Economic Advisor Application’.
EVALUATION AND SELECTION
Evaluation Criteria
The following elements will be the primary considerations in evaluating all proposals submitted in response to this RFP:
• Completion of all required elements;
o CV
o Cover Letter
o Daily remuneration expectation
• The extent to which the consultant’s proposal fulfills WRI’s stated requirements as set out in the RFP.
• 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 RFP without obligation to such prospective consultants. or make multiple awards
under this RFP. Contracts will not be awarded to consultants debarred by the US government or named on restricted parties lists