The Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) is looking for a gender-responsive climate finance consultant to support the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance and the Catalytic Climate Finance Facility.

Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance (the Lab)

The Lab is a public-private initiative that identifies, develops, and launches cutting-edge climate finance instruments. It aims to drive billions of dollars of private investment into climate change mitigation and adaptation in developing countries. Since launching in 2014, The Lab and its initiatives have successfully launched 55 new innovative financial instruments, have been endorsed by the G7 and collectively attracted over USD 3.2 billion in capital through the instruments that were endorsed by the Lab Members. The Lab’s annual impact report highlights the progress and key milestones achieved so far.

With support from FinDev Canada, the Lab has launched a Gender Equality stream as part of its 2022-2023 cycle. After a rigorous selection process, the finalist idea has been selected and will undergo 6-months of in-kind technical assistance, which will include support to strengthen the gender elements of the instrument. Beyond the Gender Equality stream, the Lab is in the process of developing a gender strategy to mainstreaming gender across future cohorts of instruments.

The Catalytic Climate Finance Facility (the CC Facility)

The CC Facility is a program developed by a partnership between CPI and Convergence, focused on scaling climate finance by providing grant funding and customized acceleration services. The program targets early-stage solutions that are going through an early adoption stage of their development process (e.g., idea tested through a proof of concept, small pilot, or MVP) or are close to market ready in developing countries. The program is launching officially in April 2023, with the support of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Global Affairs Canada as anchor funders.   

The CC Facility will have a gender equality focus and one of its goals is to support all vehicles that go through the program to be gender-responsive. For this reason, the CC Facility is developing a rigorous strategy to mainstream gender across its operations and processes, including having gender equality as a key selection criterion.

Climate Policy Initiative (CPI)

CPI, an analysis and advisory organization with deep expertise in finance and policy, is the Secretariat of the Lab. The mission of CPI is to help governments, businesses, and financial institutions drive economic growth while addressing climate change. CPI has offices around the world, including in Brazil, India, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

CPI is known as a leader in tracking sustainable investment trends, identifying innovative business models, and supporting solutions that can drive a transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. We are unique in our focus on finance, our ability to get the right people to the table, and our analytical rigor.

Terms of Contract

The consultant (or firm / team of consultants) will be hired by CPI from April 9, 2023 (or sooner if possible) to 15 December 2023 the latest (for a maximum of 70 working days).

Objective of the assignment:

Gender-Responsive Climate Finance consultant will utilize their expertise to provide direct input and thematic/technical guidance into the activities below:

Lab:

1. Provide gender guidance to the Lab Gender Equality stream finalist through regular 1:1 calls. Guidance may include advising on gender metrics, supporting Lab analysts with gender analysis, and developing a theory of change;
2. Organizing a workshop for all 2022-2023 proponents on incorporating gender components into financial instruments;
3. Support the Lab in reviewing and finalizing its strategy of mainstreaming gender into the analytical development process.
4. Support in expanding CPI’s network in the gender ecosystem, helping to develop potential partnerships.

CC Facility:

1. Support the screening of applications submitted to the Facility, focusing particularly on the gender-responsiveness of the proposed vehicles;
2. Support due diligence of shortlisted applications, focusing particularly on the gender-responsiveness of the proposed vehicles;
3. Lead and provide gender-focused technical assistance to selected vehicles;
4. Support the CC facility in reviewing and finalizing its gender mainstreaming strategy;
5. Support the creation of knowledge products on the gender-climate nexus, disseminating lessons from the CC Facility;

The consultant’s time will be roughly split 30% with the Lab and 70% with the CCF.

Qualifications of the consultant

• Education/Training: Master’s degree or equivalent in finance, economics, international development, gender studies, or another relevant subject.  
• In-depth expertise and substantive knowledge of gender equality, climate change, and finance, particularly in emerging markets.
• At least 7 to 8 years of professional experience in or with international development organizations, consulting, research institutions, policymaking, or financial institutions
• Proven experience in gender with application in climate finance projects, transactions, or instruments. Relevant expertise may include, but is not limited to, gender-lens investing, gender analyses, gender-budgeting, and/or gender impact management.
• Strong analytical skills and working experience with crisp, concise writing.
• Language: Excellent business language skills in English are mandatory.  

Other specific requirements

The service provider will organise regular exchanges with the Lab Secretariat and the contact person will be provided upon the start of the contract.  

All work is expected to be conducted virtually.

If interested and eligible, please apply here and submit a CV and cover letter by Wednesday, March 29th, 2023. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, so we encourage applicants to submit at the earliest opportunity. Applicants need to be available to start in April.