Call for Compliance Expert and Investigator Consultant (Roster)

BACKGROUND 

The Green Climate Fund ("GCF") is a multilateral fund created to make a significant and ambitious contribution to the global efforts towards attaining the goals set by the international community to combat climate change. GCF will contribute to the achievement of the ultimate objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In the context of sustainable development, GCF will promote the paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways by providing support to developing countries to limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change, taking into account the needs of those developing countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

GCF is governed by a Board, composed of an equal representation of developed and developing countries. The Fund is operated by an independent Secretariat headed by an Executive Director. GCF also has three independent units including the Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU), Independent Integrity Unit (IIU), and Independent Redress Mechanism Unit (IRMU). GCF's main headquarters is located in Songdo, Incheon City, Republic of Korea.

The Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) is mandated to address complaints and reconsideration requests submitted by individuals or communities who may be adversely affected by GCF-funded projects. As part of its mandate, the IRM also undertakes compliance investigations, provides advisory services, and supports grievance redress mechanisms of GCF stakeholders.

Currently, the IRM’s compliance caseload is increasing. To ensure timely and effective responses when a case arises, the IRM is embarking on the process of identifying suitable candidates for consultants to lead or support IRM compliance investigations. Applicants should be social and environmental compliance review practitioners with broad investigation experience who would be able to identify and rely on subject-matter experts as required. Successful candidates will be placed on a roster of consultants with relevant expertise. Roster consultants should expect to potentially be engaged on short notice under individual work orders when needed.

To facilitate this, the IRM intends to award multiple individual consultancy contracts (the “IRM Roster”) through a competitive process. These IRM Roster will establish a flexible pool of qualified experts that the IRM can call upon for existing and future assignments.

Role Type: Individual Consultant (IRM Roster-based)
Assignment Type: On-call or on-demand based under the IRM Roster
Expertise Required: Social & Environmental Safeguards, Investigations
Location: Remote with occasional field missions
Supervision: IRM Compliance and Policy Lead officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The IRM receives complaints from project-affected people, and once a complaint is declared eligible, it enters a problem-solving or a compliance review process. The IRMU is seeking qualified high-level compliance specialists to assist in its investigations.

The IRM requires experts with particular experience in investigations pertaining to the application of the IFC's Performance Standards (which currently serve as the interim Environmental and Social Standards for GCF projects and programs) or similar social and environmental safeguard policies. The expert consultants will be delegated to serve as the IRM's case lead under the supervision of the IRM Case and Policy Lead, working with staff to analyze documents in a case, and if required, to travel to the project site interview stakeholders and witnesses, and prepare a written report responding to the various questions set out in the appraisal report. Costs of travel and accommodation and mission clearance will be provided by the IRM.

Please note that the Consultant will be assigned cases on an as-needed basis. Being contracted for this position does not guarantee employment or any other related engagement with the IRM or GCF.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Consultant’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• In collaboration with the Compliance and Policy Lead (or as designated by the Head of the IRM), design the investigative strategy and methodology for specific IRM compliance cases;
• Study GCF’s policies, procedures, practices, legal context, governing system, and financing structure, as required;
• Gather, review, and analyze project and background documentation, evidence, and data, as necessary;
• Identify interview targets, craft interview strategies, and lead or participate in interviews with relevant individuals to gather relevant testimonial evidence;
• Serve as the substantive lead for, and participate in, field mission(s) as required. Note that the operational lead for a mission will be the highest ranking IRM staff member present on a given field mission;
• Draw on the resources available to you by the compliance team assembled for your case(s), including research, analysis, institutional knowledge, existing relationships, and field mission planning and execution;
• Provide timely assessment and subject matter review on specific issues related to the subject case or work product;
• Apply relevant international best practices of Independent Accountability Mechanisms in the as they would relate to the case;
• Lead, review and/or provide inputs into compliance investigations, recommendations, remedial action plans, and monitoring reports, that may result from the IRM's case;
• When actively processing cases, the consultant will need to make themselves available for an appropriate number of hours per week during regular Songdo, Incheon, working hours (KST 8:30am – 5:30pm) for virtual meetings;
• Provide regular reports as directed and requested by the Compliance and Policy Lead to ensure proper documentation;
• Provide primary drafting of formal IRM compliance work products and reports (see deliverables below); and
• Perform additional tasks as may be assigned or delegated by the Compliance and Policy Lead within these Terms of reference.

ASSIGNMENT UNDER THE CONTRACT/IRM ROSTER

Once the IRM Rosters are in place, the IRM may assign specific tasks using one of the following methods:

1. Direct Selection: Where justified, a consultant may be engaged directly by the IRM from the IRM Roster based on their technical expertise, availability, and alignment with the specific requirements of the case at hand; or
2. Mini-Competition: If multiple consultants are deemed qualified and available, the IRM may invite a short competitive process among relevant IRM Roster contract holders, requesting concise proposals to determine the best fit for the assignment.
3. For each assignment, a service order will be issued by the IRM to define the objectives, deliverables, duration, and reporting lines, ensuring clarity and accountability throughout the engagement.

The IRM Roster contracts do not guarantee assignments and that each service order is treated as a standalone agreement under the framework of the IRM Roster contract.

The issuance of a service order will depend on case complexity, urgency, and subject-matter fit.

DELIVERABLES

The timelines for deliverable are case-specific and would be discussed prior to the assignment of a specific case. Typical deliverables under work orders may include, but are not limited to: 

CONSULTANTS’ REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

IRM seeks consultants with experience and qualifications in the following areas:

1. Master's degree or higher in a relevant subject matter such as law, economics, human rights, sociology or equivalent.
2. A minimum of 13 years of relevant experience in conducting investigations related to compliance with social and environmental safeguard policies in international, and preferably multilateral, contexts;
3. Demonstrated capacity to lead independent social and environmental compliance investigations from start to finish, including source identification, evidence gathering and analysis, maneuvering complex and multilayered political and policy contexts, conducting field missions, and primary report drafting;
4. Extremely high levels of independence, integrity and impartiality;
5. Ability to use independent and sound judgment and to manage and impart confidential information, including sensitivity to the risks of reprisals/retaliation to vulnerable communities, and assessing risks relevant to field missions in developing countries,
6. Strong objective critical and analytical skills and the ability to analyze, evaluate, summarize and effectively present data and evidence to draw concrete findings related case context, a factual basis, compliance with relevant policies, and evaluating what, if anything, went wrong in the context of a given case and project;
7. Demonstrated capacity to craft appropriate recommendations, suggestions, and advice, appropriately targeted and with due consideration for relevant stakeholders’ relationship to the case;
8. Capacity to work effectively with a range of stakeholders including private sector, government, NGOs multi-lateral development organizations, and project-affected communities;
9. Ability to work independently and under pressure with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail;
10. Strong interpersonal skills, and highly developed cultural and gender sensitivity in communicating with all levels of staff, communities, ,and external stakeholders, both orally and in writing;
11. Experience working in developing countries;
12. Fluency in English is essential;
13. Knowledge of other UN languages, including Spanish, French, Arabic, Portuguese, or other languages of locations where the GCF has projects, is an advantage.
14. Demonstrated commitment to ethics, impartiality, and conflict sensitivity, especially when engaging with vulnerable communities.

GCF and the IRM are committed to building a diverse consultant roster. Qualified candidates of all backgrounds, genders and identities are encouraged to express their interest.

REPORTING AND SUPERVISION

The consultants will work under the overall supervision and guidance of the IRM Compliance and Policy Lead officer. Regular check-ins will be scheduled to review progress and provide feedback and quality assurance. 

DURATION AND LEVEL OF EFFORT

Each contract will be valid for up to two (2) – three (3) years, subject to satisfactory performance. Specific assignments will be issued via individual work orders, indicating the expected duration and number of working days required for the task.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA OWNERSHIP

All data, findings, and materials produced under this assignment are the property of the IRM and must remain strictly confidential. Consultants may not disclose or use any information obtained in the course of the assignment without prior written authorization from the IRM.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter detailing their qualifications and experience relevant to the role. Candidates of all nationalities are welcome to apply. Please indicate your earliest availability to take up the assignment and notice-period required, if employed. The Closing date for application is 25 June 2025, 23:59(KST). Applications submitted after the closing date may not be considered.