Tonga CBIT - GHG Inventory and NDC Tracking Data Mapping 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 BACKGROUND

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is co-executing the Tonga Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) Project with the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as the GEF Implementing Agency.

The CBIT project's objective is to build a robust and transparent system for climate data management and reporting, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of national GHG inventories and the tracking of NDC implementation. The project focuses on addressing key barriers identified in Tonga's national communications, including inadequate institutional arrangements, lack of robust data management systems, and insufficient capacity and awareness among stakeholders.

While Tonga completes its fourth National Communications and progresses towards reporting through the Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) in the future, challenges remain related to fragmented data systems, inconsistent data flows, and the absence of formalized data-sharing arrangements across institutions. Despite substantial work already undertaken through other initiatives regarding the implementation of a national Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system for energy and AFOLU sectors, systemic gaps continue to hinder a unified national approach, necessitating a comprehensive synthesis of all data-related efforts. Addressing these challenges is critical to ensuring the sustainability, transparency, and institutionalization of GHG inventory preparation and NDC tracking beyond project-based reporting cycles.

This consultancy will support the Government of Tonga building on previous and ongoing transparency works to strengthen GHG inventory and NDC mitigation & adaptation tracking systems by mapping existing data flows and gaps aligned with the IPCC and ETF requirements as well as Tonga’s national institutional arrangements.  

The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive data mapping report to support GHG inventory and NDC tracking. The outcome of the consultancy will contribute to strengthening national GHG inventory system and NDC mitigation & adaptation tracking by improving data availability & credibility, coordination, and institutionalized data-sharing arrangements in support of ETF implementation.

The specific objectives are to:

• Compile, consolidate, and synthesize information on activity data requirements, data availability & credibility, data flows, custodianship, and data gaps relevant to GHG inventory preparation across all contextually relevant IPCC sectors and NDC mitigation & adaptation tracking and reporting.
  • Validate data mapping findings and analysis through structured stakeholder consultations and a validation workshop.

Under the overall guidance of the CBIT Project Manager and in close coordination with MEIDECC, relevant line ministries and agencies, the Consultant will undertake the following tasks and deliverables:

Deliverable 1: Prepare a comprehensive data mapping report

• The Consultant will compile information on data availability, existing data flows, data custodians, and existing data gaps relevant to GHG inventory preparation across all contextually relevant IPCC sectors and NDC implementation tracking and reporting. The report will feature a detailed data specification table including categories/sub-categories, mapping data flows, data required, units of measurement, custody chains, responsibilities, QA/QC protocols, and reporting frequencies. The Consultant will also synthesize the findings from previous and ongoing climate transparency projects, including those developed in parallel under this initiative, to ensure the data mapping reflects unified, up‑to‑date, and comprehensive evidence base.
• The Consultant will lead the consultation process for the development of the deliverables above, documenting key feedback and decisions made. Once the draft deliverables are finalized, the consultant will lead a gender-responsive validation workshop through which the Data Mapping Report will be validated. The consultation and validation workshop will ensure meaningful participation of men and women in the process. The consultant is responsible for producing the following:

Deliverable 2: Facilitate consultations and a validation workshop

1. Consultation meeting/workshop reports (for at least 2 meetings/workshops targeting all relevant stakeholders with sex-disaggregated data)
2. Validation Workshop Report summarizing workshop discussions and agreed next steps with sex-disaggregated data.

 

Deliverable Outputs	PERCENTAGE OF MAXIMUM AMOUNT (USD)	DUE DATE
Deliverable 1: Data Mapping Report and consultation meeting reports	60 % (USD 6,000)	3 months after signing the contract
Deliverable 2: Facilitate & submit validation workshop report	40% (USD 4,000)	5 months after signing the contract

Notes:

• The Consultant will use their own resources (laptop, etc.) during consultancy service under the project to produce all deliverables to produce all deliverables.
• The CBIT Project will support the Consultant by providing resources (stationeries, print out materials, etc.) during workshops and consultations with stakeholders.
• All deliverables must be submitted to GGGI and Department of Climate Change, MEIDECC, in English.
• Any data and information collected as part of this consultancy must be submitted to GGGI and the Department of Climate Change, MEIDECC, ensuring confidentiality of unpublished government information and complying with GGGI’s and the Government of Tonga’s data protection, ethics and safeguarding policies.
• All reports under this consultancy must be approved by GGGI and the Department of Climate Change, MEIDECC, before payment is made to the Consultant.
• The Consultant shall consider all comments and necessary revisions proposed and provide a final version of the reports reflecting the revisions within 10 working days of the receipt of feedback. Electronic versions of deliverables must be compatible with Microsoft Office applications and adhere to GGGI's font and style guidelines. Copies will also be provided to GGGI and the Department of Climate Change, MEIDECC.
• The consultant will report to the Project Manager of the Tonga CBIT project and work in close coordination with PMU & the Department of Climate Change, MEIDECC.

The consultant is expected to have the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree in environmental science, climate change, statistics, data analytics, or related fields. A bachelor’s degree in related disciplines may be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in GHG inventory development, MRV systems, or climate transparency.
• Demonstrated technical understanding of the IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and ETF requirements under the Paris Agreement.
• Experience working with and supporting governments on GHG-related data collection, data management, and inter-agency coordination is desired.
• Experience supporting the development of data sharing agreements, MoUs, or institutional arrangements is an asset.
• Proven ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations and technical workshops.
• Experience in working in SIDS/Pacific contexts and a familiarity with Tonga government data systems and key sector institutions are preferred.
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills in English.

Interested consultant(s) shall submit the following documentation:  

• Curriculum Vitae with a maximum of four pages
• Cover Letter with demonstration of ability and experience in the deliverables outlined in this TOR.
• Proposed one-page detailed workplan, indicating the applicant’s understanding of the scope of work and approach for the completion of the assignment.

Applications will close on 31/03/2026, at 11:59 p.m. Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Applications including a Cover Letter and CV must be sent in English. A consortium, or a firm may not be engaged for the individual consultant assignment.

Duty Station: Remote/Tonga

Contract Duration: 6 months

Consultant Level: Individual Consultant 4

Total Fees: USD 10,000

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.

 

 

 

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.