CONSULTANCY: Accreditation Compliance Review for the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund (SSA-2026-MFDP-DPPD-24)

Background

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is actively pursuing the diversification of its resource mobilization portfolio by expanding engagement with multilateral climate finance mechanisms beyond its traditional donor base. As part of this strategy, WMO is seeking accreditation to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and preparing for its reaccreditation with the Adaptation Fund (AF). These accreditations are strategic priorities that will strengthen WMO's ability to mobilize climate finance in support of its Members and scale up investments in weather, climate, water, and related initiatives.

The accreditation processes for both the GCF and the AF require applicants to demonstrate full compliance with and commit to comprehensive institutional frameworks covering fiduciary standards, legal and governance arrangements, environmental and social safeguards, gender policy and action plans, and other institutional capacities. These frameworks are extensive, highly technical, and subject to fund-specific requirements that require specialized interpretation and application.

While WMO possesses robust institutional systems and policies, a detailed assessment is required to determine the extent to which existing frameworks align with the accreditation requirements of each fund, identify any gaps, and recommend the measures necessary to achieve full compliance. Such an assessment requires specialized expertise in the accreditation frameworks of both funds, as well as experience in evaluating international organizations against their institutional standards.

The purpose of this assignment is therefore to provide WMO with an independent and comprehensive assessment of its institutional readiness for GCF accreditation and AF reaccreditation. The assignment will support the Organization in understanding the specific requirements of each accreditation framework, assessing the degree of alignment of its existing policies, procedures, and institutional arrangements, identifying gaps and areas requiring strengthening, and providing practical recommendations and a roadmap to facilitate a successful accreditation process. The findings of this assignment will inform WMO's institutional preparations and support the efficient and timely completion of both accreditation processes.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Review and analyze the accreditation frameworks of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund (AF), including, but not limited to, fiduciary standards, legal and governance requirements, environmental and social safeguards (ESS), gender policy and action plan requirements, integrity standards, and other relevant institutional accreditation criteria.

2. Assess WMO's institutional readiness for GCF accreditation and AF reaccreditation by engaging WMO focal points and conducting a comprehensive gap analysis of the Organization's existing legal, financial, governance, fiduciary, environmental and social safeguard, gender, and other relevant institutional frameworks against the requirements of both funds.

3. Identify and document areas of compliance, partial compliance, and non-compliance, highlighting potential institutional, legal, operational, and financial risks that may affect the accreditation processes.

4. Provide strategic and practical recommendations to address identified gaps and strengthen WMO's institutional alignment with the accreditation requirements of both funds. Recommendations should be proportionate, practical, and designed to support WMO in expanding and diversifying its donor base while ensuring sound governance, effective risk management, and the protection of the Organization's legal and financial interests.

5. Advise WMO on the most appropriate approaches to address identified gaps or inconsistencies, taking into consideration good international practice, the requirements of the respective funds, and WMO's institutional context and governance framework.

6. Prepare a comprehensive final report summarizing the methodology employed, key findings, identified gaps, recommended corrective actions, suggested priorities, and an indicative roadmap to support WMO's accreditation to the GCF and reaccreditation with the AF.

Mains Deliverables:

1. Inception Report outlining the proposed methodology, work plan, timeline, key milestones, information requirements, and approach for conducting the assessment, including stakeholder consultations where appropriate.

2. Accreditation Framework Review summarizing GCF and AF accreditation requirements relevant to WMO, including fiduciary standards, legal and governance requirements, environmental and social safeguards (ESS), gender policy requirements, and other applicable institutional standards.

3. Gap Analysis Report assessing the extent to which WMO's existing institutional, legal, financial, governance, environmental and social safeguard, gender, and other relevant frameworks align with the accreditation requirements of the GCF and the AF. The report shall identify areas of full compliance, partial compliance, and non-compliance, together with an assessment of associated institutional risks.

4. Recommendations to address identified gaps, including proposed actions, indicative sequencing, and considerations for strengthening WMO's institutional capacity and readiness for GCF accreditation and AF reaccreditation.

5. Final Consolidated Report, incorporating comments received from WMO on the draft deliverables, presenting the final findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in law, international finance, public policy, environmental management, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined years of demonstrated qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in climate finance, international development finance, or legal/compliance work, including direct experience with the accreditation frameworks of the GCF and/or AF (fiduciary standards, environmental and social safeguards, gender policy). Prior experience supporting an implementing entity or national/regional entity through an accreditation process is highly desirable.

Other Requirements:

Strong knowledge of GCF and Adaptation Fund accreditation framework. Familiarity with UN system’s procedures is an asset. Excellent analytical, drafting, and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and liaise with multiple internal stakeholders.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required.

Salary and Allowances:

PAYBAND: C

Additional Information:

Focal point name and email for additional information: Ana Laura Zuanazzi (azuanazzi@wmo.int)

Duration: Number of days _45_ over a period of  3 months

Travel: 2 possible mission to WMO Headquarters (Geneva, Switzerland)

Probation

Possibility of renewal subject to the availability of funds and pending satisfactory performance after an initial probationary period of one year which can be extended up to a maximum of two years.

Applications:

Applications should be made online through the WMO e-recruitment system.

Do not send your application via multiple routes. WMO no longer accepts applications via post or email. Only applicants for whom WMO has a further interest will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written test and/or an interview.

Statements:

WMO is committed to achieving diversity and a balanced workforce. Applications are welcome from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. The statutory retirement age is 65. Pursuant to WMO Standing Instructions, the minimum age to be eligible for consideration for vacant positions is 18, and the maximum age must enable the candidate to serve for at least the term of the contract before reaching mandatory age of separation.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

WMO does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Scam alert

WMO does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). WMO will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.