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About this position

We are looking for a technically astute Climate Change Policy Consultant with extensive experience working in the Caribbean. As the Climate Policy Consultant, you will work with the Climate Change and Environmental Advisory Unit (CCEAU) within the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas which has responsibility for coordination across agencies and technical advice for the integration environmental and climate change considerations in national development priorities while achieving international/multilateral commitments.

The Bahamas is a low-lying archipelagic small island state exposed to sea-level rise, tropical cyclones, storm surge, coastal erosion, saline intrusion and heat stress. The Government of The Bahamas (GoBH) has advanced a comprehensive climate agenda, including the Climate Change and Carbon Market Initiatives Act, 2022; the Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0 (NDC, 2025); the Third National Communication (2024); the National Energy Policy; and priority sectoral and national adaptation planning efforts. The Bahamas is also operationalizing carbon market and climate finance mechanisms and strengthening institutional arrangements for climate governance.

In this regard, the GoBH seeks specialized support to draft a consolidated, modern National Climate Change Policy & Strategy (NCCPS) that (i) updates and harmonizes existing policies, (ii) operationalizes provisions of the 2022 Act and other applicable legislation, (iii) aligns with the updated NDC and the Paris Agreement, (iv) integrates adaptation, mitigation and loss & damage considerations, and (v) provides an implementable financing, delivery and monitoring framework.

You will work for the Climate Change Solutions Division (CSD/CCS), which is part of the Department of Climate Change and Sustainability (CSD). This team is responsible for advising the IDB management and developing policies, strategies, operational guidelines, and programs relevant to the sector, as well as related areas. Additionally, CSD conducts sectoral research, analytical work, sectoral best practices, and case studies on climate change and sustainability. As a division of CSD, CSD/CCS provides support in: (i) Mainstreaming climate change into IDB Group operations and activities and (ii) Integrating climate change considerations into regional IDB Group countries by supporting environmental, planning, and finance ministries across the region. Both areas share the objective of strengthening climate policy at the subnational, national, and regional levels.

What you’ll do

Overall objective: Develop a National Climate Change Policy and Strategy (NCCPS) for The Bahamas with a 10‑year horizon (e.g., 2026–2036), including an implementation plan and M&E system, fully aligned with national legislation, strategies and international commitments.

Specific objectives:

• Undertake a stocktake and gap analysis of climate governance, legal/policy instruments, programs and data (adaptation, mitigation, carbon markets, finance, MRV).
• Produce a costed, prioritized policy and strategy, with clear outcomes, targets and indicators consistent with the updated NDC, national legislation, policies, strategies and Paris Agreement obligations.
• Develop an implementation and financing plan, including domestic budgeting, climate funds, other sources of finance and a pipeline of priority programs.
• Establish a results-based monitoring and evaluation framework including institutional roles, coordination mechanisms and reporting cycles.
• Design and facilitate a participatory process (whole‑of‑government and society) ensuring inclusion of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and civil society.

Scope of Works

1. Inception Report and Workplan
2. Diagnostic and Stocktake: This should include but not be limited to:

• The compilation and analysis of existing climate‑related laws, policies, strategies and plans
• Review of institutional arrangements and the MRV systems for GHG and adaptation, where applicable.
• Assessment of carbon market framework and readiness
• Evaluation of the national climate finance architecture and flows including tracking methodologies.
• Identification of data gaps, capacity needs and priorities

3. Preparation of the National Climate Change Policy and Strategy for The Bahamas
4. Preparation of an Implementation and Financing Plan

• The plan should be costed with a responsibility matrix and capacity‑building actions.
• Develop a financing strategy including domestic budget tagging, climate funds, and other sources of financing.

5. Preparation of a Monitoring and Evaluation and Reporting Framework
6. Preparation of a Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Plan

The Consultant will facilitate at least three in-person Stakeholder Engagement activities.

What you'll need

• Education: Master’s in climate policy, environmental economics, public policy, or other relevant fields related to the role's responsibilities.
• Experience/Level: Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience in developing national climate policies/strategies; demonstrated work on adaptation planning (NAPs), NDC design/updates and climate finance strategies; experience working in the Caribbean.
• Languages: Proficiency in English is required.

Requirements

• Citizenship: You are either a citizen of Bahamas or a citizen of one of our 48-member countries with residency or legal permit to work in Bahamas .

• Consanguinity: You have no family members (up to fourth degree of consanguinity and second degree of affinity, including spouse) working at the IDB Group.

Type of contract and duration

• Type of Contract: Products and External Services Consultant (PEC).
• Length of contract: 7 months.
• Work Location: Remote

Our culture

At the IDB, we work so everyone brings their best and authentic selves to work while finding their purpose. Our people consistently strive for excellence, and we recognize and celebrate the impact of their contributions.

In our efforts to drive innovation, we intentionally include all voices, cultivate a sense of belonging and champion fairness. We welcome individuals from underrepresented groups to join us and share their unique perspectives.

We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job interview process. If you require an accommodation to complete this application, please email us at accommodations@iadb.org.