Samoa CBIT Enhanced Transparency Framework 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 GGGI is co-executing the Samoa Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) Project with the Climate Change Division (CCD) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as the GEF Implementing Agency.

The project aims to strengthen the institutional and technical capacities of Samoa to fulfill its United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) obligations by aligning national reporting systems with the Paris Agreement’s Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) requirements. The project is structured into three components designed to 1) formalize institutional coordination mechanisms, 2) implement an IT-based Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) tracking system, and 3) establish a sustainable capacity-building strategy.

The project focuses on addressing key barriers identified in Samoa’s climate transparency and ETF reporting, including inadequate institutional arrangements, a lack of robust GHG inventory system and NDC monitoring tools and systems, and limited awareness regarding the ETF and climate change.  This consultancy assignment seeks to address the critical barriers of inadequate permanent institutional arrangements and the lack of awareness and knowledge among stakeholders regarding the ETF and climate change. These challenges are rooted in a fragmented reporting framework that lacks formalized arrangements for GHG inventory and NDC tracking, combined with an insufficient enabling policy environment for data sharing. Furthermore, the absence of a cohesive capacity-building strategy has hindered the integration of climate transparency into national planning.

Through this consultancy, the consultant will lead the development of Samoa’s gender responsive institutional coordination mechanisms and the creation of a sustainable capacity-building strategy. This also includes developing an ETF roadmap and recommending policy alignments to integrate the Paris Agreement’s transparency requirements into the national policy frameworks.

To achieve the project objectives, GGGI is looking for an ETF Consultant to establish the institutional mechanism framework for UNFCCC reporting, support policy alignments and integration of ETF, and develop long-term capacity strategies and roadmap required for Samoa to implement the ETF under the Paris Agreement. The primary objectives of this assignment are:

• Develop a gender responsive comprehensive process guideline and institutional arrangement framework to streamline the preparation of the UNFCCC reporting.
• Develop an integrated ETF Strategy and Roadmap that defines a clear, actionable pathway for Samoa to meet and maintain the requirements of the ETF under the Paris Agreement.
• To strengthen the national policy for climate action by aligning existing mandates with the ETF and facilitating stakeholder-driven recommendations for policy integration.

The consultant will work in collaboration with the Samoa CBIT Project Officer under the overall guidance of the CBIT Project Manager, and the CCD. All the consultations and validation processes with relevant stakeholders in this assignment must adopt a gender-responsive approach, ensuring diverse and balanced viewpoints are captured throughout. The Consultant will undertake the following tasks and deliverables:

Deliverable 1: Draft Institutional Arrangement Framework and Process Guidelines for ETF

The consultant will develop a comprehensive Institutional Arrangement (IA) framework, drawing on the institutional arrangements and reporting structures from Samoa's Third National Communication (TNC) and first Biennial Update Report (BUR), to support Samoa’s reporting requirements under the ETF. This framework must include greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory preparation across all IPCC sectors, as well as the monitoring of NDCs, tracking of climate actions and support received. Based on desk research and stakeholder consultations, the IA should clearly define the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders within the UNFCCC reporting process.

Complementing this, the consultant will develop a draft Process Guidelines for UNFCCC reporting requirements, including National Communications (NC), Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR), NDC updates, and the Global Stocktake. These guidelines must detail specific workflows by relevant government ministries and agencies, submission timelines, and data collection protocols for each reporting cycle.

The deliverable will build on a rapid assessment of ongoing/ completed climate transparency projects (e.g., ICAT) and should integrate gender considerations to promote gender-balanced representation across all reporting and decision-making structures.

Deliverable 2: Final Institutional Arrangement Framework and Process Guidelines for ETF, and Validation Workshop (report)

Following Deliverable 1, which involves stakeholder consultations and feedback sessions, the consultant will finalize the Institutional Arrangement Framework and Process Guidelines for the ETF through a structured stakeholder validation process. This process will involve a validation workshop with key national stakeholders to ensure the documents are technically sound, nationally owned, and operationally fit for purpose. The consultant will support the Samoa CBIT Project Officer in organizing and facilitating a validation workshop. Discussions during the workshop will also cover the timeline and approach for the document’s operationalization and adoption, as required. Following the validation workshop, the consultant will finalize the Institutional Arrangement Framework and Process Guidelines for ETF by incorporating the stakeholders’ feedback.

Deliverable 3: Draft ETF Strategy and Roadmap

The consultant will develop an integrated ETF Strategy and Roadmap document for Samoa. The document shall be based on a quick analysis of stocktaking assessment — comprising desk review and stakeholder consultations —that maps existing capacity development programs, technical gaps, and priority needs. This assessment will provide a baseline of Samoa's current climate transparency capacity and generate targeted recommendations that will serve as the evidence base for the strategy and roadmap components of the document.

Building on the stocktake findings and informed by stakeholder consultations, the document shall articulate a clear long-term goal for Samoa to meet the ETF requirements, and the overarching direction and priorities necessary to achieve that goal. It will then translate these strategic priorities into a time-bound action plan across short-, medium-, and long-term horizons, defining clear milestones, assigning responsibilities, and establishing timeframes to guide implementation.

A dedicated capacity development section shall form an integral part of the ETF strategy and roadmap document, addressing both immediate and sustained institutional needs that extend beyond the CBIT project period. This section shall focus on building the institutional systems, technical skills, and human resource capabilities required for Samoa to fulfil ETF obligations on an ongoing basis, identify targeted training programs tailored to short- and long-term needs, and ensure that the capacity building strategy is designed to lay the groundwork for self-sustaining national climate transparency capacity beyond the life of the project.

A financing strategy to support the sustainability of implementation of the roadmap as well as a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework to track progress will also form part of the document.

Deliverable 4: Final ETF Strategy and Roadmap, and Validation Workshop

Following Deliverable 3, which involves stakeholder consultations and feedback sessions, the consultant will finalize the ETF Strategy and Roadmap, developed under Deliverable 3, through a structured validation process. The consultant will support the Samoa CBIT Project Officer in organizing and facilitating a validation workshop with key national stakeholders to present the draft document, gather technical feedback, and ensure the document is nationally owned and operationally fit for purpose. Following the workshop, the consultant will incorporate stakeholder feedback and finalize the ETF Strategy and Roadmap as a finalized technical document.

Deliverable 5: Draft Review and Technical Recommendation Report for ETF Integration into National Policy Framework

The consultant will produce a report that reviews Samoa's current polices and provides recommendations for embedding ETF and climate change considerations into national policy. The document will map existing mandates, Acts, and sector-specific plans of relevant government entities, identify gaps that hinder effective ETF and climate integration, and provide technical recommendations to strengthen climate transparency and align sectoral goals with international reporting obligations and ETF requirements.

The development of this document will be informed by an iterative consultation process, including individual and group consultations, at key stages of drafting, to ensure the review and recommendations are technically sound and reflective of national priorities.

Deliverable 6: Final Review and Technical Recommendation Report for ETF Integration into National Policy Framework, and Validation Workshop

Following Deliverable 5, which involves stakeholder consultations and feedback sessions, the consultant will finalize the policy review and recommendations document through a structured validation process. The consultant will support the Samoa CBIT Project Officer in organizing and facilitating a validation workshop with all relevant national stakeholders to present the draft document and receive technical feedback. Following the workshop, the consultant will incorporate stakeholder feedback and finalize the report.

OUTPUT / DELIVERABLE	PERCENTAGE OF MAXIMUM AMOUNT	DUE DATE
1. Draft  Institutional Arrangement Framework and Process Guidelines for ETF, and Consultation meetings report	16.3% (USD 7,500)	3 months after signing the contract
2. Final Institutional Arrangement Framework and Process Guidelines for ETF, and Validation workshop report	16.3% (USD 7,500)	6 months after signing the contract
3. Draft ETF Strategy and Roadmap document, and consultation meeting reports	17.4% (USD 8,000)	4 months after signing the contract
4. Final ETF Strategy and Roadmap document, and Validation workshop report	16.3% (USD 7,500)	8 months after signing the contract
5. Draft Review and Technical Recommendation Report for ETF Integration, and Consultation meetings report	16.3% (USD 7,500)	6 months after signing the contract
6. Final Review and Technical Recommendation Report for ETF integration, and Validation workshop report	17.4% (USD 8,000)	11 months after signing the contract

Notes:

• The Consultant will use their own resources (laptop, etc.) during the consultancy service under the project to produce all deliverables.
• The CBIT Project will support the Consultant by providing resources (stationery, print-out materials, etc.) during workshops and consultations with stakeholders.
• All deliverables must be submitted to GGGI and the Climate Change Division, MNRE, in English.
• All data and information collected and/or generated as part of this consultancy (including datasets, interview/consultation records, and draft and final outputs) shall be the property of MNRE and GGGI. The Consultant shall submit copies of such data and information to GGGI and the Climate Change Division, MNRE, ensuring confidentiality of unpublished government information and complying with GGGI’s and the Government of Samoa’s data protection, ethics and safeguarding policies.
• All reports under this consultancy must be approved by GGGI in accordance with the quality standards 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 or as per the agreed timeline.
• 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 Climate Change Division, MNRE.
• The Consultant will report to the Project Manager of the Samoa CBIT project and work in close coordination with PMU & the Climate Change Division, MNRE.

 

The consultant is expected to have the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree in environmental policy, climate change, public policy, environmental science, international development, or any other related fields.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in environmental or climate policy development or review, climate transparency, strategy and roadmap development, or any other relevant professional experience, preferably in Samoa or Pacific Islands Countries (PICs).
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF), including the National Communications (NCs)/Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), is preferred.
• Proven ability to design, plan, and facilitate effective stakeholder engagement meetings and workshops.
• Strong understanding of Samoa's climate-related acts, policies, and regulations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to produce clear, effective reports and other publications.
• Strong interpersonal and motivational skills, with sensitivity to the local environment and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to effectively lead and collaborate with people from diverse professional, cultural, and technical backgrounds.

 

Interested consultants 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 workplan, indicating the applicant’s understanding of the scope of work and approach for the completion of the assignment.

Project: Samoa Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) – Enhanced Transparency Framework Consultant
Duty Station: Remote/Apia
Contract Duration: 12 months
Consultant Level: Individual Consultant 4
Total Fees: USD 46,000

Applications will close on 22 June 2026 at 2300HRS Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered Application including a Cover Letter and a CV must be sent in English. A consortium, or a firm may not be engaged for the individual consultant assignment.

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.