Liaison Officer for Lesotho

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) takes pride in its role as the world’s largest dedicated climate fund. GCF finances transformative climate projects across developing countries, empowering them to respond to and combat climate change while promoting sustainable development within their communities.

In addition to mobilising public and private sector investments through a diverse range of financing instruments, GCF strengthens the capacity of developing countries to undertake climate action through the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme (the Readiness Programme). This initiative equips countries with the necessary resources to build foundations, skills, and capacities to effectively secure and manage climate financing.

The government of Lesotho has prioritized the need for external partnerships and coordinated responses to combat effects of Climate change. The GCF, established to finance climate action in developing countries, serves as a crucial financial mechanism for Lesotho's climate ambitions.

Lesotho, a landlocked least developed country known as the "Kingdom in the Sky" due to its high altitude, is highly vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change, including prolonged droughts, severe storms, water security and environmental sustainability. Almost half of its approximately 2.3 million population lives in poverty. Agriculture stands as a foundational pillar in Lesotho's economic landscape, serving as a significant source of livelihood. However, recent years have witnessed the sector grappling with various challenges, notably erratic weather patterns, posing risks to agricultural productivity. Droughts in 2019 and 2021, for example, severely reduced water availability, straining agricultural systems and threatening food security in a nation reliant on subsistence farming. Dependence on wood for fuel and unsustainable farming practices contribute to deforestation, destabilising ecosystems and increasing susceptibility to climate impacts. Weak enforcement of environmental regulations and insufficient investment in climate-resilient infrastructure further undermine sustainable development efforts. These challenges are compounded by financial and technical constraints that limit the country’s ability to raise finance to mitigate and adapt effectively.

Lesotho's Climate and Environment sector encompasses a wide range of activities to safeguard the country's natural resources and mitigate environmental degradation. It focuses on managing ecosystems, conserving biodiversity, combating climate change, and promoting sustainable development practices. Additionally, the sector is responsible for implementing policies and strategies to address environmental challenges. It serves as a critical pillar in Lesotho's broader development agenda, aligning with Extended NSDP II Key Priority Area I, to enhance productivity through the sustainable utilisation of environmental resources. 

Lesotho is blessed with a wealth of renewable energy resources across wind, solar, hydropower and pumped hydro. It has the potential to be a clean-power exporter to the whole of the Southern Africa, yet currently imports half of its electricity – mostly unclean coal-fired power from South Africa.

In Baku last year, King Letsie III, in collaboration with the Government of Lesotho launched the “His Majesty King Letsie III JET Limited” (HMKLIII JET Ltd) process with the aim of building new generation capacity as a foundation for development. This has since been reflected in Lesotho’s M300 compact and 2nd NDC and at COP30 this year, Lesotho announced it would form a Country Platform to action its ambitions. Lesotho’s Country Platform is an innovative, private sector-led country platform designed to transform Lesotho into a clean power exporter. The platform will mobilize concessional and private capital investments into a portfolio generation (solar, wind, hydropower and pumped storage) and transmission projects to support Lesotho’s Government priorities, including the delivery of its NDC and M300 compact, and contribute to the wider regional ambitions. The Platform is structured to ensure Lesotho will retain a fair share of the profits from the power produced, which will be channelled to socio-economic programmes within Lesotho. This structure sets out an equitable balance between the interests of the Government and people of Lesotho on the one hand, and the needs of the private sector on the other.

As a first step, Lesotho is working with GCF, and other key stakeholders including HMKLIII JET Ltd, to deploy readiness funding to accelerate the initial phases of establishing its unique country platform, carry out project feasibility studies and build a bankable platform.

Under the 2024–2027 strategy for the Readiness Programme, GCF offers a placement scheme for local experts—GCF Liaison Officers—Via National Designated Authorities (NDAs) and Focal Points to be deployed within the NDA or relevant agencies designated by the country. These embedded experts will aim to ensure continuous, effective engagement with GCF, imparting knowledge of GCF policies, systems and processes and facilitating the development of programming capacities and enhanced direct access to climate finance for the achievement of national climate objectives.

II. Role 

The GCF Liaison Officer will act as the primary liaison between the GCF Secretariat and the country, providing essential support to the NDA or relevant agency 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 programming, 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, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and relevant agencies to plan, develop and implement climate change adaptation and mitigation projects, prepare concept notes and funding proposals;

• To assist in accessing and implementing integrated programmes of readiness activities in the country, such as readiness funding to support Lesotho’s HMKLIII JET Country Platform.

• To support the NDA or relevant agencies, in developing and implementing country programs, including facilitating the set up or improvement of coordination with relevant stakeholders, by developing a national plan that includes prioritising project proposals aligned with the national priorities with the involvement of key stakeholders, e.g. development partners, regional GCF accredited entities, academia, the private sector, such as HMKLIII JET Ltd etc;

• Contribute to fiduciary assessments/analytics on strengthening/establishing a national climate change fund and contribute to the development of a capacity building plan for enhancing climate resilience standards for financing institutions (e.g. banks, micro-financing institutions) to provide financing for climate change-related programmes;

• 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 Readiness

• Assist the NDA in co-developing draft TOR 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 in coordinating consultative processes within the country to develop key areas for programming related to the implementation of the Lesotho’s HMKLIII JET Country Platform Process, NDCs/NAP/LTSs and advance concepts notes to be submitted to the GCF if and as needed.

• Assist the NDA to facilitate stakeholder engagement through transparent and effective communication with relevant country stakeholders, including ministries of Environment, sector ministries, central banks, executing entities, the private sector, subnational entities, development partners, GCF accredited entities and civil society organizations such as women’s groups, academia, 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[1], if and as required;

• Support the NDA with adaptative management requests as required; and

• As required by the NDA, contribute to midterm reviews of readiness activities, and provide input for adjusting initial TORs as needed.  

• [1] 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.

4.2 Pipeline Development, Implementation, Monitoring and Reporting

• Contribute to capacity-building by imparting skills and knowledge to the NDA and relevant stakeholders to successfully develop, advance and implement climate investments;

• 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;

• Assist the NDA in the development of project ideas, concept notes and funding proposals for Lesotho’s HMKLIII JET Country Platform Process as well as 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:

• Advanced degree in climate change/environmental science, climate economics/finance, environmental 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 three 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 Lesotho, 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 Sesotho or any other official language(s) of the Kingdom of Lesotho, or other United Nations languages, 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 Maseru, Lesotho and will operate from the offices of the NDA.

The GCF Liaison Officer will support the NDA or relevant agency and report to the appropriate regional manager of the GCF Secretariat.

The closing date for applications is 09 March 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 achieved, to be shared with the NDA and GCF Secretariat.

Preference will be given to nationals or residents of Lesotho 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 179.00

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 Maseru, Lesotho.