The Global Environment Facility (GEF) provides support to address global environmental concerns related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, and chemicals and waste. Since its inception in 1991, the GEF has provided developing countries and countries with economies in transition $26 billion in in grants and mobilized another $149 billion in cofinancing for more than 5,000 national, regional, and global projects spread over 186 countries. Two funds managed by the GEF: Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), provide climate adaptation support in developing countries. This support is implemented on the ground through a network of 18 accredited Agencies.
The GEF Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) has a central role in ensuring the independent evaluation function within the GEF. The GEF IEO is based in Washington DC. It is administered by the World Bank but is independent of its management as well as the management of the GEF. Its director reports directly to the GEF Council, the GEF governing body. All contracts with the IEO are World Bank contracts.
The LDCF and SCCF were established in response to guidance received from the 2001 meeting of the Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC on the need for climate change adaptation support in developing countries. The LDCF focuses exclusively on the unique climate adaptation challenges of LDCs and the SCCF prioritize supporting the adaptation needs of SIDS and strengthening technology transfer, innovation, and private sector engagement.
The GEF IEO has conducted a series of program evaluations of the LDCF and SCCF, most recently in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The GEF IEO is hiring a short-term consultant to assist in the conduct of the LDCF/SCCF program evaluation to assess the progress the funds have made since the most recent program evaluations and to inform future programming of LDCF/SCCF interventions.
An approach paper that lays out the evaluation methodology is currently being prepared. The evaluation will assess whether the LDCF/SCCF has the right strategy, comparative advantage, and operating framework to assist countries adapt to climate change within the funds' mandates. The evaluation will also focus on the extent to which the funds have achieved LDCF/SCCF objectives, their response to conference of the parties (COP) guidance, and enhancement of policy coherence.
Responsibilities and accountability
The consultant will perform the following tasks:
- Review LDCF/SCCF documents: the GEF programming strategy on adaptation to climate change for the LDCF/SCCF for GEF-7 and GEF-8 and relevant Council documents.
- Advice on and assist in the preparation and finalization of the evaluation approach paper including a detailed evaluation matrix highlighting the key questions and sources of evidence.
- Conduct an assessment of the LDCF/SCCF adaptation strategies, the funds' comparative advantage in addressing country challenges and response to COP guidance and prepare a report highlighting findings.
- Assist in the development of desk review, case study tools, and protocols for the evaluation.
- Support the portfolio review, assist with data collection through interviews with stakeholders.
- Travel as required to conduct case studies.
- Assist with analysis of data and information collected through the portfolio review, interviews, case studies, and field visits to interpret and inform findings.
- Actively contribute to data and methods triangulation, gap analysis, and major sections of report writing.
- Provide substantial inputs into the draft and final reports of the evaluation.
The IEO will provide quality assurance, methodological support and technical input as well as access to the documentation.
Qualifications
The candidate should have the following qualifications:
- Master's or advanced degree in social, environmental or development science or other related studies.
- Skilled professional with a minimum of 15 years in the field of environmental evaluation and/or related fields of agriculture and livelihoods, with 7-10 years of specific experience in evaluation of adaptation to climate change.
- Knowledge of and/or direct experience with the GEF, LDCF, SCCF, and its Agencies.
- Strong quantitative and qualitative skills.
- Excellent presentation, communication, and writing skills; spoken and written English.
- Demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
Terms of the contract duration
The duration of the consultancy will be for a maximum of 50 days from August 15, 2025 to June 30, 2026. The consultancy will take place at the consultant's place of work, and payment will be made in the official currency of the country in which the consultant is located.
Submission requirements
Interested candidates are invited to submit expressions of interest in English to GEFEvaluation@TheGEF.org with "LDCF/SCCF program evaluation" in the subject line. The application should include a CV and cover letter outlining how a candidate's qualifications and experience are relevant to this position. The application deadline is July 18, 2025.
The GEF IEO is proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce and does not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.