Call for REDD+ experts to assist the independent TAP in the review of Funding Proposals

Introduction

The Green Climate Fund is the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund and invests in impactful, innovative, catalytic programs and projects in developing countries across the globe As we celebrate 10 years of climate action, our portfolio has grown to over USD 19.3 billion across more than 336 projects in over 130 countries[G[1] —demonstrating the transformative power of strategic climate finance at scale. In 2023, an additional USD 12.8 billion was pledged, to support our new strategic and programming cycle from 2024-2027; our ambition is to grow to become at least a USD 50 billion fund by 2030. Rooted in the core objectives of impact and efficiency, access and a focus on the most vulnerable, and mobilizing unprecedented public and private sector financial flows for climate action we have unparalleled scale and resources. Our risk appetite and flexibility enable us to bring together diverse partners and stakeholders in innovative partnerships for profound impact.

GCF is seeking talented individuals with a commitment to tackling complex global climate change challenges. You will be committed to making a positive, measurable difference through a mission-driven role, and thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment.  You will be a nurturer of people: recognizing and growing the talent around you, exemplifying values of transparency, respect and innovation. You will be committed to learning, knowledge-sharing, convening and communicating with partners to develop and implement climate action initiatives that make a profound difference to people and planet.You will join a team of talented, committed individuals representing almost 80 nationalities and bringing skills and experience from academic, scientific, private, government and nonprofit backgrounds. Together, we work with governments, communities and civil society, technical agencies, and the private sector across the world.

The GCF is governed by a Board, composed of an equal number of members from developed and developing countries. The GCF is operated by an independent Secretariat headed by an Executive Director and pursues a country-driven approach in its operations. The independent Technical Advisory Panel ("the Panel") officially reports to the Board through the Operations and Portfolio Committee and conducts independent technical assessments of Funding Proposals against the GCF's investment criteria.

The GCF is seeking to engage Technical Experts who will assist the Panel in the due diligence and assessment of proposals for projects and programmes for funding.The consultant will join the GCF team on a Remote basis assignment. 

Role

The Technical Experts will provide specialized technical expertise on REDD+ to support the Independent Technical Advisory Panel (iTAP) in the assessment of REDD+ funding proposals and associated REDD+ scorecards. They will provide timely and appropriate advice, suggestions and recommendations on technical matters as specified by the Panel, with the aim to enhance the technical assessments of funding proposals by the Panel and expand the Panel's technical coverage.

The Technical Experts will draw from subject matter and practical experience in REDD+, including the design, implementation, and assessment of REDD+ programmes and projects.

The Technical Experts will be accountable to the Panel and the Operations and Portfolio Committee, with contractual arrangements through the Secretariat.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the member of the Panel requiring the consulting, the Technical Expert will be responsible for, but not limited to: 

• Providing timely written assessments and subject matter reviews on specific technical matters in the Funding Proposal related to her/his field of expertise, within the scope and timeline of the assignment requested by the member of the Panel, and any further explanations or clarifications required;
• Providing written suggestions or recommendations to enhance the Panel's technical assessments on basis of best practices in the corresponding field, experience in the relevant local and regional context, and citations of relevant scientific and technical publications;
• Supporting the development, and refinement, of REDD+ assessment scorecards and evaluation frameworks used by the Panel to assess funding proposals, ensuring alignment with GCF investment criteria, UNFCCC REDD+ requirements, and international best practices;
• Conducting detailed reviews of REDD+ funding proposals against the approved scorecard, including assessment of technical quality, climate impact potential, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, safeguards compliance, institutional capacity, and sustainability of outcomes;
• Providing independent scoring and written justification for assigned scorecard criteria, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, risks, gaps, and areas requiring clarification;
• Reviewing and validating proposal assumptions, methodologies, and evidence used to support scorecard ratings, including carbon accounting approaches, FREL/FRLs, MRV systems, safeguards, benefit-sharing arrangements, and implementation readiness;
• Providing recommendations to improve the consistency, transparency, and robustness of the scorecard methodology and assessment process, incorporating lessons learned from previous REDD+ investments and emerging international guidance;
• Participating virtually in Panel meetings to discuss scorecard findings and technical assessments of REDD+ proposals when requested;
• Participating in technical discussions with Accredited Entities and other relevant stakeholders, when requested by the Panel, to clarify issues arising from the scorecard review and proposal assessment process.

Required Qualifications and Key fields of competencies

• An advanced university degree or equivalent in forestry, forest ecology, natural resource management, environmental science, climate change, environmental economics, land-use planning, forest governance, carbon accounting, geography, remote sensing, sustainable development, or closely related disciplines.
• At least 15 years of professional experience in REDD+, forestry, land-use change, climate finance, or related fields, including experience in the design, implementation, assessment, monitoring, or independent review of REDD+ programmes and projects.

The Fund is particularly interested in candidates with:

• Demonstrated expertise in REDD+ under the UNFCCC, including familiarity with relevant COP decisions, the Warsaw Framework for REDD+, and subsequent guidance;
• Experience developing, implementing, assessing, or financing REDD+ programmes, jurisdictional approaches, or results-based payment initiatives;
• Demonstrated experience preparing forest reference emission levels/reference levels (FREL/FRLs), and national forest monitoring systems (NFMS) in at least two countries;
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV), remote sensing, GIS applications, and emissions quantification methodologies relevant to REDD+ in at least two countries;
• Demonstrated experience on implementing REDD+ safeguards activities, safeguards information systems (SIS), Indigenous Peoples’ rights, stakeholder engagement processes, benefit-sharing mechanisms, and gender-responsive approaches;
• Familiarity with IPCC guidelines and methodologies relevant to the preparation of FREL/FRL and MRV for REDD+;
• Demonstrated ability to prepare concise, evidence-based technical reviews, due diligence reports, and recommendations;
• Previous consulting experience and the ability to work remotely for international organizations;
• Demonstrated teamwork, leadership, and analytical skills, with the ability to provide independent expert judgment on complex REDD+ investments.

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 applications is 27 August  2026, 23:59 (KST).

• Only application submitted through the GCF consultant portal will be accepted.
• Application submitted after the closing date will  not be considered.
• In case of any technical issues, please email: procurement@gcfund.org.