Liaison Officer for Lao PDR

I. Background 

Established in 2010 by the 194 countries that are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) serves as the world’s largest dedicated climate fund. Over the past decade GCF has financed transformative climate projects across developing countries, empowering them to respond to and combat climate change while promoting sustainable development within their communities. Today, our portfolio spans over USD 19 billion across more than 330 projects in over 130 countries, evidence of the profound impact that strategic climate finance can achieve.

As we scale toward our vision of becoming a USD 50 billion fund by 2030, strengthening national capacities remains central to our mission. GCF mobilizes public and private sector investments through a diverse financing instruments, and equips developing countries with the resources, skills, and capacities to effectively secure and manage climate financing through our Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme.

The 2024-2027 Readiness Programme strategy introduces an innovative placement scheme: GCF Liaison Officers embedded within National Designated Authorities (NDAs) or other relevant agencies designated by countries.These local experts will ensure continuous, effective engagement with GCF, imparting knowledge of GCF policies, systems and processes,facilitating programming development and enablingenhanced direct access to climate finance for national climate objectives.

As a GCF Liaison Officer, you will be at the frontlines of accelerating climate action in your country, bridging GCF and national institutions to unlock transformative climate investments.

II. Role 

The GCF Liaison Officer will act in coordination with the NDA while providing essential support to the NDA in all matters concerning GCF climate action. This role entails close coordination with stakeholders relevant to the GCF activities in the country to ensure their seamless execution, including country platform, accreditation, readiness support conceptualisation and oversight, project preparation and implementation and other related activities. 

III. Objectives 

The placement scheme aims to achieve the following objectives through the role of the GCF Liaison Officer:

• To enhance the capacity of the NDA and relevant agencies to plan, develop and implement climate change adaptation and mitigation concept notes and funding proposals;
• To support the NDA and/or relevant agencies in developing and implementing GCF country programmes, including facilitating the set up or improvement of coordination with relevant country climate stakeholders;
• To assist in accessing and implementing integrated programmes of readiness activities in the country;
• To raise awareness and facilitate understanding in the country of the GCF funding windows, policies and processes; and
• To facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development among local stakeholders and communities.

IV. Responsibilities 

The GCF Liaison officer will carry out the following responsibilities:

4.1 Country Programme

• Support the development and advancement of the Lao PDR country platform following the GCF guidance for country platforms;
• Support the NDA in identifying, engaging and effectively coordinating with relevant climate stakeholders[1] as part of the development, advancement and operationalization of the Country Platform.
• Assist the NDA in coordinating consultative processes within the Country Platform to identify key areas for results related to the development, advancement and implementation of NDCs/NAPs/LTSs, as well as translating them into policy instruments and project/programme ideas
• Assist in the development and review of updated investment plan document, which articulated the country’s needs and climate priorities, in collaboration with the NDA, Country Platform and GCF Secretariat, ensuring timely processing and incorporation of feedback; and
• Facilitate and assist the NDA in the advancement of the country platform including reporting annually and identifying challenges and opportunities to discuss with the NDA and GCF Secretariat.

[1] ‘Relevant climate stakeholders’ refer to: 1) Governments include NDA/focal points and relevant line ministries, e.g., Ministries of Finance, Economy, Strategic Planning, Women Affairs, Gender and Climate Focal Points, climate and sustainable development Focal Points across ministries, sectoral, regional, national, subnational levels; 2) Focal Points to UNFCCC refers to the governments serving custodians of various UNFCCC processes, which may include its constituted bodies, e.g., National Designated Entities of the UNFCCC technology mechanism. Private Sector also includes central banks, financial institutions, executing entities, direct access applicants and accredited direct access entities, industry or business associations; 3) Climate Financiers refer to multilateral climate funds or Focal Points to the Adaptation Fund (AF), Climate Investment Fund (CIF) and Global Environment Facility (GEF), as well as bilateral, regional and global funding institutions and mechanisms, and other climate financiers and partners. 4) Academia includes experts and research institutions; 5) Civil society organizations (CSOs) also include non-government organizations, women’s organizations; 6) Local communities also include Indigenous Peoples (IP), vulnerable, disadvantaged, marginalized groups.

4.2 Readiness

• Engage and assist the NDA in co-developing a draft proposal for readiness support, in close coordination with the GCF Secretariat. This is based on the medium-term strategic planning and includes outlining specific support areas, required expertise and resources to address capacity gaps effectively, ensuring alignment with national priorities;
• Assist the NDA to facilitate stakeholder engagement through transparent and effective communication with relevant country stakeholders, including ministries of finance, sector ministries, ministries of economy, strategic planning, central banks, executing entities, the private sector, subnational entities, development partners, GCF accredited entities and civil society organizations such as women’s groups, academia, Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This approach adheres to GCF best practices for country coordination and multi-stakeholder engagement. The goal is to identify capacity gaps that inform the development and implementation of the TORs for readiness support;

• Assist in completing the Financial Management Capacity Assessment (FMCA) form[2] , if and as required;

• Support the NDA through monitoring and implementation of ongoing grants and support adaptive management requests as required and ensure the coherence and complementarity of all readiness support in the country; 
  
• Support the NDA to enhance collaboration and learnings among developing countries on climate change issues, intent on heightening and broadening climate investment impact; and
  
• As required by the NDA, contribute to midterm reviews, annual and completion reports, and final evaluation of readiness activities.  

• [2] An entity or agency that undertakes approved readiness activities is referred to as a delivery partner. For direct access, an NDA or another agency designated by the country must undergo FMCA to become a delivery partner. If readiness activities are provided by a pre-qualified GCF delivery partner, these partners will undergo the assessment as part of the prequalification process, which is conducted in accordance with GCF procurement rules and the fair and transparent open tender Request for Proposals (RfP) process.

4.3 Pipeline Development, Implementation, Monitoring and Reporting

• Contribute to capacity-building, knowledge sharing and learning by imparting skills and knowledge to the NDA, Country Platform and relevant stakeholders to successfully develop, advance and implement climate investments or projects; 
• In coordination with the GCF Secretariat, provide advice, guidance and clarifications to the NDA, accredited entities, and other stakeholders on GCF policies, procedures and instruments to successfully develop, advance and implement climate investments or projects;
• Assist the NDA and the Country Platform in the development and/or advancement of project ideas, concept notes and funding proposals for the public and private sector, in close collaboration with the GCF Secretariat, the NDA and accredited entities;
• Assist the NDA to facilitate stakeholder discussions to gather necessary information throughout the project cycle stages; 
• Support the coordination of No Objection Letter processes in country, ensuring timely communication with Accredited Entities and promptly informing the GCF Secretariat of any potential issues;
• Support the NDA to maintain regular communication with accredited entities to report to the GCF Secretariat and help resolve any issues that may arise during the implementation of GCF investments in the country;
• Support the NDA and relevant agencies with the preparation of country portfolio results reporting as required by the GCF Secretariat; and
• Assist the NDA in the organization of relevant events to showcase GCF results.

V. Qualiications and Experience

The candidate should meet the following qualifications and experience:

• University level degree in climate change/environmental science, climate economics/finance, engineering, project finance or a closely related discipline; 
• At least eight years of experience in the public and/or private sector with a demonstrated focus on climate investment and financing initiatives for climate change mitigation and adaptation;
• Proven experience in institutional strengthening and capacity-building within developing economies, demonstrating the ability to enhance stakeholders' capabilities in addressing climate change and creating enabling environments for climate investment;
• At least five years of experience in successfully developing climate change investment proposals, showcasing expertise in crafting compelling and impactful funding applications, including monitoring and evaluation of climate change initiatives;
• Experience in addressing climate change issues in Lao PDR, providing a deep understanding of the local context and challenges;
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and engage with multiple stakeholders, reflecting strong interpersonal skills and the ability to foster cooperation among diverse groups;
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, complemented by outstanding presentation abilities, enabling effective dissemination of information and ideas to diverse audiences;
• Familiarity with the GCF, including operational mechanisms and funding modalities will be an asset;
• Fluency in English is required, and proficiency in the official language(s) of Lao PDR, is highly desirable;
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and adaptability; and
• Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical standards, including integrity, transparency and accountability in all professional activities.

VI. Assignment Details

The GCF Liaison Officer will be based in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR and will operate from the offices of the NDA.

The GCF Liaison Officer will support the NDA or relevant agency and report to the NDA on a daily basis and report to the appropriate Regional Manager (or assigned Country Focal Point) of the GCF Secretariat. 

The closing date for applications is 07 May 2026, 23:59 Korea Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the closing date may not be considered.

The initial assignment is for the maximum of 180 working days over the period of 11 months and 29 days, with the possibility of extension based on annual performance evaluation, subject to the continued need and available funding. 

As part of their reporting obligations, the experts are expected to compile a quarterly report detailing activities conducted and results or deliverables achieved, to be shared with the NDA and GCF Secretariat, including key action points required from the NDA and GCF and other points of interest to the NDA and GCF.

Preference will be given to nationals or residents of Lao PDR for this position. 

The application is required to be submitted in English language.

Applications from women and citizens from developing countries are strongly encouraged.

Daily rate offered for this consultancy is USD 119.

The advertised position is currently labeled as remote, however, the role is not intended to be remote-based and requires an in-person presence in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR . 

If a civil servant or government employee is selected as an expert, the NDA must provide written confirmation that: 

• The individual will be on leave without pay and relieved of all official duties for the duration of the placement. 
• The expert must not receive any salary, allowances, or benefits from their public institution during the placement period, in order to avoid any duplication of remuneration. 
• The selected expert must fully comply with the contractual obligation to avoid any conflict of interest while carrying out the responsibilities outlined in the placement Terms of Reference