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. 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Project: EC018 - Implementing a National Climate Finance Mechanism and strengthening Ecuador Zero Carbon Program. Output: EC018-E1-6
• Duty Station: Ecuador (virtual)
• Contract Duration: (03) NOV 2025 – (02) MAR 2026
• Consultant Level: 4
• Total Fees: USD 21,000

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Ecuador became a Member of GGGI in 2019. GGGI has been supporting the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MAE acronym in Spanish) on climate and sustainable finance to help the country achieve its adaptation and mitigation priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. To date, GGGI supports MAE in implementing its First National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and National Mitigation Plan (PLANMICC), develops a pipeline of adaptation and mitigation projects, strengthens the Ecuador Zero Carbon Program, and supports Ecuador’s readiness in implementing Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

As part of GGGI´s Ecuador portfolio, the GCF-funded project “Implementing Ecuador’s National Climate Finance Vehicle and Carbon Zero Program” is being implemented. The project aims to boost the mobilization of climate finance in Ecuador and strengthen PECC’s potential to raise climate change mitigation ambitions. In February 2025, Ecuador submitted its second NDC to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, committing to cut emissions by 7% unconditionally and an additional 8% conditionally through international cooperation. Carbon market mechanisms, such as the cooperative approaches of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, as well as carbon pricing mechanisms, serve as fiscal policy tools that help internalize the emission costs of the economic sectors outlined in the NDC.

Ecuador is making progress in meeting the participation requirements of the cooperative approaches outlined in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, as well as in developing the roadmap for implementing carbon pricing mechanisms.

To raise the climate change mitigation ambition, the GGGI’s project in Ecuador is seeking a consultant to assist with compliance with the participation requirements of the cooperative approaches outlined in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

• Develop participation requirements under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
• Establish a roadmap for the development of carbon pricing instruments.

DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Scope of Work:

The consultant will work in close collaboration with the GGGI Team in Ecuador and delegates of the Climate Change Mitigation Directorate on a deliverable basis and will support the achievement of the project´s outcomes and outputs, leading the following activities:

[Deliverable 1: Workplan]

The consultant will review existing materials and consult with relevant project parties (GGGI, MAE) as necessary to develop a detailed work plan outlining the schedule of significant activities, methodology, milestones, validation meetings, and draft and final deliverables. In coordination with the focal point delegated from the Climate Change Mitigation Directorate, the consultant will review and validate the deliverables. Finally, the consultant will support the activities related to the project scope that will be required by the Undersecretariat on Climate Change and the Climate Change Mitigation Directorate.

The deliverable will, at a minimum, include a timeline and identification of key actors, milestones, timelines, and proposed deliverables. (Expected delivery date: 10/November/2025)

[Deliverable 2: Develop a roadmap to comply with the participation requirement under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement]

The consultant will support the Government of Ecuador in fully meeting the participation requirements under the cooperative approaches of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the identification of the preliminary legal and operational framework that will enable the country’s participation in international carbon market mechanisms. This outcome will be focused on the period from September to December 2025, in accordance with the deadlines established by the UNFCCC. (Expected delivery date: 22/December/2025).

To achieve this deliverable, the consultant shall carry out the following activities:

• Review UNFCCC Decisions and official templates on the participation requirements under the cooperative approaches of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Expected delivery date: 13/November/2025).
• Review and analyze the information provided by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MAE) on the country’s progress in meeting participation requirements, identifying institutional and technical gaps that need to be addressed. (Expected delivery date: 17/November/2025).
• Review and systematize the legal and institutional aspects related to participation requirements, preparing a consolidated technical-legal report that identifies regulatory, institutional, and operational gaps, and proposes a procedure for authorization and accounting of emission reductions aligned with the National Climate Change Registry (RNCC) and the public ownership regime of environmental services established in Article 74 of the Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador. (Expected delivery date: 24/November/2025).
• Develop and validate a technical annex containing the formats required for submission to the UNFCCC, in coordination with key national stakeholders, ensuring consistency with the guidelines of the Subsecretariat on Climate Change. (Expected delivery date: 19/December/2025).
• Support the Government of Ecuador in the official submission of the Initial Report and required forms to the UNFCCC, including technical assistance during the validation process. (Expected delivery date: 22/December/2025).

[Deliverable 3: Identification of Article 6 initial report needs]

The consultant will support the Government of Ecuador in preparing the Initial Report required by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for the cooperative approaches described under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, ensuring compliance with the UNFCCC's formats, requirements, and timelines.

The Initial Report will be developed in accordance with UNFCCC Decisions 2/CMA.3 and 3/CMA.3 and the guidelines on transparency and accounting of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs), incorporating a legal and institutional analysis of Ecuador’s framework that enables the country’s participation in the cooperative approaches under Article 6. (Expected delivery date: 09/January/2026).

To achieve this deliverable, the consultant shall carry out the following activities:

• Review the UNFCCC Decisions on participation requirements and the official templates established for the cooperative approaches under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. (Expected delivery date: 31/December/2025).
• Review and analyze the information provided by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MAE) on the country’s readiness for the initial, annual, and regular reporting under the cooperation mechanisms of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, apply the methodological guidance, and prepare Ecuador’s Initial Report for Articles 6.2 and 6.4. (Expected delivery date: 09/January/2026).

[Deliverable 4: National roadmap for the enabling and operationalization of carbon pricing mechanisms (Carbon Tax, Emissions Trading, and Carbon Markets – Voluntary and Regulated)]

Building upon the fulfillment of the participation requirements under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, the consultant will support the Government of Ecuador in formulating the national enabling framework to guide both the country’s participation in international carbon market mechanisms and the development of domestic carbon pricing instruments.

This phase will represent the national implementation of the results achieved before the UNFCCC and will integrate three key components: legal and institutional definitions, determination of the country approach, and establishment of the operational step-by-step process for implementation. (Expected delivery date: 02/March/2026).

To achieve this deliverable, the consultant shall carry out the following activities:

• Review and systematize existing information and progress related to the national roadmap and the fulfillment of Article 6, identifying gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for improvement in coordination with the MAE. (Expected delivery date: 13/January/2026).
• Prepare a technical-legal document establishing national definitions, institutional mandates, roles, and responsibilities that enable Ecuador to participate in Article 6 market mechanisms and to implement domestic carbon pricing instruments, ensuring coherence with the current legal framework and national climate policies. (Expected delivery date: 20/January/2026).
• Analyze regulatory, fiscal, and institutional frameworks (Organic Environmental Code, Ecuador Carbono Cero Program, Compensation Standard, tax policies, and other instruments), identifying necessary regulatory adjustments and synergies to strengthen governance and coherence between the two systems: market mechanisms and carbon pricing instruments. (Expected delivery date: 26/January/2026).
• Develop a technical scenario analysis evaluating country approach options for participation in Article 6 market mechanisms (bilateral, jurisdictional, or hybrid), considering institutional capacities, sectoral priorities, and economic feasibility conditions. (Expected delivery date: 02/February/2026).
• Formulate a national approach proposal for carbon pricing instruments, analyzing the most suitable alternatives (domestic market, carbon tax or levy, and offset mechanisms) and their compatibility with the international framework. (Expected delivery date: 09/February/2026).
• Define the technical and operational guidelines for each component:
• For market mechanisms: establish criteria, processes, and administrative flows for the authorization, registration, transfer, and monitoring of emission reductions. (Expected delivery date: 16/February/2026).
• For carbon pricing instruments: design the foundations for their gradual implementation, including control, monitoring, and institutional oversight mechanisms. (Expected delivery date: 16/February/2026).
• Develop a detailed roadmap consolidating the implementation of mechanisms, including a phased schedule (short, medium, and long term), institutional responsibilities, progress milestones, and climate finance mechanisms to ensure sustainability. (Expected delivery date: 20/February/2026).
• Conduct a realistic estimation exercise of timelines, costs, and technical requirements associated with carbon projects, considering the main stages of the cycle (feasibility, design, validation, verification, and credit issuance). (Expected delivery date: 24/February/2026).
• Prepare an analysis with regulatory and institutional recommendations to strengthen the legal, administrative, and financial frameworks required for the gradual implementation of the roadmap, including proposals for adjustments to the Organic Environmental Code (COA) and other relevant legal instruments. (Expected delivery date: 28/February/2026).
• Provide technical and strategic advisory support to the Climate Change Subsecretariat, ensuring that the roadmap aligns with national mitigation policies, transparency mechanisms, and the country’s international commitments. (Expected delivery date: 02/March/2026).

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Deliverable	To be delivered by	Value (% of the total payable)
Deliverable 1: Workplan	10/November/2025	15%
Deliverable 2: Develop a roadmap to comply with the participation requirement under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement	22/December/2025	30%
Deliverable 3: Identification of Article 6 initial report needs	09/January/2026	25%
Deliverable 4: National roadmap for the enabling and operationalization of carbon pricing mechanisms (Carbon Tax, Emissions Trading, and Carbon Markets – Voluntary and Regulated)	02/March/2026	30%
TOTAL		100%

 

*Reporting Arrangements

The consultant's work progress will be monitored by GGGI Project Coordinator based in Quito-Ecuador, and the sectoral specialist delegated from the Climate Change Mitigation Directorate. Meetings will tackle subjects such as the overview of the contractual objectives, the development of activities, detailed information milestones, actual achievements made against the timeline initially set, and any other relevant progress details.

The Contract will be supervised by the GGGI Project Coordinator.

The Global Green Growth Institute (“GGGI”) is committed to transparency, accountability, and openness in the organization. In case of any doubt, please refer to our Whistleblower policy in the link:

http://gggi.org/site/assets/uploads/2017/11/Whistleblower-Policy_02072015.pdf

The GGGI Project Coordinator, in coordination with the Director of Climate Change Mitigation of MAE will approve the consultant products.   

*Suggested methodology and competence requirements

The consultant should follow the specific methods and follow MAE’s and GGGI´s instructions. The consultant will make the best use of both primary and secondary sources of information to develop activities defined under the contract objective.

For each deliverable, the consultant is required to deliver a  version by a date agreed to GGGI, request and respond to comments, and deliver a final version (tracked and clean versions for MS Word deliverables) by the deadline that meets the expected quality. 

EXPERTISE REQUIRED

[Academic qualifications]

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business administration, law, finance, forestry, agricultural, agro-industrial, chemical, or other related fields.
• Master's degree on topics related to finance,  environmental management, environmental law, agriculture, sustainable forest management, climate change, emission reduction scenarios, or others associated with the object of this contract; or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

[Professional qualifications]

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience developing mitigation projects.
• A minimum of 5 years of proven knowledge on climate finance.
• Previous experiences developing projects under carbon offset schemes or voluntary and regulated carbon markets, properly registered.
• Advanced knowledge of spoken and written English.

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

• Request: GGGI Application form, CV and cover letter   
• Selection method/process: competitive   
• Date to close is Korean Standard Time (KST)