Int. Consultant for pipeline development - Climate and Sustainable Finance Hub

Name of Service: International Consultant for pipeline development - Climate and Sustainable Finance Hub

Country: Lao PDR

Description of the Assignment:

Under the overall supervision of the Country Office Economist and the Chief Technical Adviser of the HUB, in close coordination with the regional Climate Finance Network team, the Team Lead of the Inclusive Growth Team and the Team Lead of the Environment Unit, the consultant will carry out the following: 3.1 Design and operational set-up of the Country Investment Platform and PPF function This activity will establish the institutional and procedural foundation for the platform services of the Hub. It will clarify how the Hub will support the procedures such as prioritisation of sectors, screening of concepts and selection of projects for pipeline development through the existing Advisory Group and Technical Working Group. Particular attention will be given to MDB,/DFI and private sector participation in the design of operating procedures, accountability structures, safeguards and periodic review mechanisms.

Key tasks include:

• Draft the project preparation functions and processes, investor coordination and approval processes across the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Investment Promotion and Management Committee Office, line ministries, regulators, utilities, development partners and private sector channels. • Define the Hub’s services in detail with respect to the country platform function, decision-making processes in line with existing institutional coordination mechanism let by the Ministry of Finance. • Develop standard operating procedures for project intake, screening, prioritization, safeguards review, disclosure, quality assurance, matchmaking and escalation of policy bottlenecks. • Prepare draft operating guidelines, including conflict-of-interest provisions, transparency principles and periodic platform review procedures - linked to the existing Advisory Group and Technical Working Group led by the Ministry of Finance. • Conduct targeted design consultations with potential MDBs, DFIs and private sector representatives. 3.2 Investment pipeline mapping and project prioritization This activity will translate national policy priorities into an initial investment pipeline. The focus is adaptation-oriented financing in sectors such as sustainable agriculture and ecotourism, but the longlist will remain open to other adaptation, mitigation and nature-positive opportunities aligned with Lao PDRs priorities. · Review all relevant background documents, including the Sustainable Finance Ecosystem Assessment, Hub mandate and existing pipeline materials, and key policy documents including NDC 3.0, the National Adaptation Plan, the National Biodiversity Action Plan, Green Growth Strategy and the draft Green Finance Taxonomy framework. · Conduct targeted consultations with MoF, MAE, IPO Hub staff, potential IFI and potential funding partners (including ADB, the World Bank, IFC, DFC), and UNDP programme teams · Map existing pipelines developed by sectors and development partners. Identify and prepare a shortlist of priority projects for investor-facing profiles. · Prepare 3-5 short investment profiles, including concept description, sponsor, financing need, expected revenue model, risks, preparation needs, potential climate/nature benefits and suitable financing route. · Identify projects that may require full PPF support, MDB/DFI preparation funding, climate fund support, PPP structuring or further technical studies in a subsequent phase. Design, draft and finalize two bankable projects · Develop two projects, each for a prioritized adaptation-oriented project, structured to a multi-financing approach and to the standards of the targeted financing sources. Both projects will be developed and drafted in line with templates provided by UNDP. The design should be data and evidence driven. The proposals should incorporate pre-feasibility/Feasibility Studies outlining the technical design and climate scenarios, environmental and social Impact Assessments to screen and manage safeguards, GESI assessment, a financial model & economic analysis detailing the investment structure, concessionality rationale, and co-financing commitments. · Facilitate presentation of the projects to Advisory Group to ensure that the projects align with national priorities · Draft the project proposals in line with requirements mentioned · Finalize the proposals incorporating two rounds of comments from key stakeholders. · The final package will include narrative summaries, a presentation deck (powerpoint) and proposal documents. Pilot a structured matchmaking mechanism between project owners and financial institutions, including domestic banks, DFIs, MDBs, private investors and climate finance providers

Period of assignment/services: 50 working days

Proposal should be submitted directly in the portal no later than indicated deadline.

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