Forestry Consultant

Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

• Project: Paraguay Sustainable Forestry Investment Fund

• Duty Station: Asunción, Paraguay  

• Contract Duration: August 17^th, 2026, to April 15^th, 2026

• Consultant Level: Level 4

 

Project Background

GGGI has a rapidly expanding sustainable finance portfolio, assisting public and private financial sector actors to design, structure and bring to market innovative sustainable finance solutions, including green, social and sustainability bonds, sustainability-linked instruments, debt for nature/climate swaps, green credit and guarantee schemes. Since 2017, GGGI has successfully mobilized investment commitments exceeding USD 10 billion towards its member countries' NDC and SDG goals.

GGGI is seeking to expand its sustainable finance footprint in Paraguay to deliver demand-led support to Paraguay’s National Development Agency (AFD) in greening its portfolio. Currently, GGGI is supporting the implementation and operationalization of the Paraguay Sustainable Forestry Investment Fund (SFIF).  The SFIF is a blended-finance mechanism designed to mobilize USD 160 million for sustainable forestry investments. Its objectives include establishing 50,000 hectares of FSC-certified forest plantations, generating over 2,100 green jobs, and supporting Paraguay’s national climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development goals.

Key activities include:

• Develop a Sustainable Forest Investment Portfolio (Pipeline) for AFD.

• Deliver a Timber Collateral training program, along with other capacity-building needs of local Intermediary Financial Institutions (IFIs). 

• Prepare a longlist of eligible plantation projects and potential investors.

• Prioritize pre-selected projects and investment opportunities, incorporating them into AFD’s updated financial product and operational manual.

• Organize a roadshow-type event to connect preselected project owners with AFD, financial intermediaries, the WB and GGGI, to identify early-stage opportunities.

 

To achieve the project objectives, GGGI is looking for a Forestry Consultant to Develop a Sustainable Forest Investment Portfolio (Pipeline) for AFD. The assignment will focus on identifying and prioritizing eligible plantation projects aligned with AFD policies, engaging key sector actors through targeted outreach and awareness-raising activities, and preparing a longlist of bankable projects aligned to local legislation, environmental and social assessments and international best practices. The Consultant will also lead the update process of AFD forest financial product aligned to the WB requirements and other relevant guidelines and will support the process of connecting preselected project owners with relevant stakeholders from the project, assess capacity-building needs of financial institutions and deliver targeted training to AFD network IFIs. In addition, the consultant will design and implement a pilot involving selected IFIs, including timber valuation methodologies, appraisal standards and risk mitigation measures, and will produce valuation and evaluation reports to inform scaling-up integration into relevant processes. 

 

Key tasks for this consultancy position are as follows:

• Identifying and mapping plantation owners, investors, and IFIs.

• Developing a longlist of eligible plantation projects and potential investors.

• Defining technical, environmental and financial eligibility and prioritization criteria for sustainable forest investments, incorporating them into AFDs updated financial forestry product and operational manual.

• Listing prioritized projects and investment opportunities, with justification for their selection.

• Organizing a roadshow-type event to connect preselected project owners with AFD, financial intermediaries, the World Bank, and GGGI, and to identify early-stage opportunities.

• Identifying capacity needs of collateral valuers, gaps in timber valuation methodologies, and gaps in relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, among other aspects.

• Assessment of IFI´s use of timber valuation methodologies and standing timber as collateral, identifying gaps in methodologies, data, regulatory frameworks, and practical application through case-based approaches.

• Delivering training sessions for AFD´s network of IFIs and stakeholders. 

• Designing and piloting the valuation and acceptance of standing timber as loan collateral and incorporating pilot results into relevant processes. 

• The Forestry Consultant will work closely with the Project Team, consisting of the Sustainable Finance Senior Officer, the Sustainable Finance Senior Associate, the Sustainable Finance Senior Associate (Forestry Finance), the Climate Change Policy Senior Officer and the Environmental and Social Safeguard Specialist to maximize the results of this consultancy.  The selected consultant will report directly to the Sustainable Finance Senior Officer in the Paraguay Country Office.  

 

The consultancy is expected to deliver the following key results:  

No	Deliverables	Activities/Products	Amount (%)	Due Date
1	Details of outreach and awareness-raising activities targeting plantation owners and investors.	a) Stakeholder mapping and outreach plan identifying target plantation owners, investors, and IFIs. b) Concept Note for the awareness-raising activity. c) Outreach and awareness-raising materials on AFD’s sustainable forest investment approach. d) List of participants disaggregated by gender. e) Feedback and lessons-learned report. f) Advanced draft of the updated AFD Forest Financial Product (incorporating World Bank Requirements)	12,5%	September30th, 2026
2	Longlist of eligible plantation projects and potential investors.	a) Longlist of eligible plantation projects, including key project profiles (location, size, certification, financing needs, among others), considering key documents such as the Cumulative Impacts Report of Forest Projects, local legislation, and international best practices. b) List of potential investors and IFIs, aligned with AFD policies. c) Prioritization matrix for eligible plantation projects, aligned with AFD’s investment criteria. d) Final document summarizing deliverables 2.a, 2.b, and 2.c.	17,5%	October 30th, 2026
3	Prioritization of preselected projects and investment opportunities through the application of technical, eligibility, and prioritization criteria, and the integration of the results into AFD´s updated financial product and operational manual	a) Defined and documented technical, environmental, and financial eligibility and prioritization criteria for sustainable forest investments. b) List of prioritized projects and investment opportunities, with justification for their selection. c) Updated AFD forest financial product incorporating World Bank requirements, including an investment guide for forest projects for IFIs (covering investment principles, environmental and social safeguards, and project appraisal procedures), the revised operational manual, and other relevant documents.	15%	November 30th, 2026
4	Organize a roadshow-type event to connect preselected project owners with AFD, financial intermediaries, the World Bank, and GGGI, and to identify early-stage opportunities.	a) Roadshow Concept Note detailing: objectives, agenda, target audience, venue, roles and responsibilities, among others. b) Roadshow materials. c) List of participants disaggregated by gender. d) Feedback report.	5%	December 15th, 2026
5	Assessment of capacity-building needs of financial institutions and collateral valuers.	a) Capacity Needs Assessment Report, including: IFIs’ needs to implement AFD’s updated ESMS (and to comply with the PCAS, including but not limited to MAQR, SARAS, and MRV); Capacity needs of collateral valuers; Identified gaps in timber valuation methodologies; Gaps in relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, among other aspects;	10%	February 28th, 2027
6	Training program developed and tailored	a) Tailored training plan and training materials, including training content, examples and case studies, training methods and materials, learning objectives, among others, aligned with PCAS requirements.  b) Training Event Concept Note (CN) detailing, at a minimum: training objectives, target audience, agenda, venue, roles and responsibilities, among others.	5%	March 15th, 2027
7	Training sessions delivered to AFDs network of financial intermediaries and collateral valuers	a) Capacity-building materials.  b) List of participants disaggregated by gender.  c) Feedback report.	7,5%	March 30th, 2027
8	Pilot testing of the valuation and acceptance of standing timber as loan collateral.	a) Pilot design and implementation plan, including selection of at least three (3) pilot financial institutions and borrowers, related to timber valuation methodology, appraisal standards, and risk mitigation measures.  b) Pilot valuation reports for the selected IFIs and final beneficiaries.  c) Pilot evaluation report, including an assessment of timber collateral performance, identified risks and the effectiveness of mitigation measures, as well as recommendations for scaling up and policy integration.  d) Incorporation of pilot results into relevant processes.	27,5%	April 15th, 2027

 

The Consultant is expected to hold a Kick-off meeting with AFD to understand the scope of the consultancy and activities and align expectations and to present its tentative workplan during this meeting. If required, the consultant might be required to work from AFD offices, previous agreement.

The Consultant must integrate the comments of GGGI, AFD, WB and the technical focal points of other institutions involved, within 7 days after receiving the comments or requests for modification of products. All reports will be produced in Spanish, will follow GGGIs and AFDs format requirements and will be submitted along with full raw data sets, research materials, minutes, interviews, and participant listings, and the final consolidated product of the consultancy must include a full English translation.   

During the first week of assignment the consultant will define the reporting arrangements of the consultancy, in consultation with AFD and the Sustainable Finance Senior Officer.

The consultant will work from AFDs office to ensure smooth communication and cooperation, data collection and on-the-job training.  This will also ensure that all capacities are being installed within AFD.

Payments will be made against delivery of the products with prior approval from AFD, and approval from the GGGI Project Manager (Sustainable Finance Senior Officer).

• Master's degree or higher in fields such as forestry sciences, environmental engineering or related disciplines.

• 5-8 years of experience in forestry plantations is required.  Experience or knowledge in forestry finance or developing forestry investment projects is an asset.  

• Working experience with forestry sector associations is highly valuable.

• Knowledge of FSC certification requirements is mandatory.

• Proven knowledge in International Standards such as WB PS, IFC PS or other international best financial practices and local legislation, related to forestry plantations is mandatory.  

• Fluency in Spanish and English is required

• A proactive attitude, with an ability to find workable solutions promptly.

• Punctual, professional, and ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with multicultural and interdisciplinary staff

• Commits to team goals and works effectively across the organization with individuals of different views, cultures, nationality, gender, and age.

• Excellent problem solver.

• Exemplifies the highest standard of honesty, integrity, and professionalism.

 

• Interested consultants shall submit following documentations: cover letter, and CV 

• Selection method/process: competitive selection 

• Timeline of selection: 15 days

 

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.