Individual Consultancy for Environmental and Social Safeguards Management System

In 2024, MoF’s GCF accreditation was upgraded to the USD 250 million category (medium size) at the GCF’s 39th Board Meeting, expanding its mandate to implement larger, high-impact climate projects. This accreditation upgrade comes with the responsibility to meet more stringent GCF requirements, particularly in fiduciary management, environmental and social safeguards, and gender inclusion.

To ensure alignment with GCF standards, MoF must strengthen its Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) capacity. The GCF has a robust Environmental and Social Policy (ESP) that integrates environmental and social considerations into all its activities. As an interim measure, GCF adopts the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards as its ESS framework. These standards encompass key principles such as assessing and managing environmental and social risks, labor and working conditions, resource efficiency and pollution prevention, community health and safety, land acquisition and resettlement, biodiversity conservation, indigenous peoples’ rights, and cultural heritage protection. Adhering to these standards and to Ethiopia’s national environmental/social regulations is critical for MoF to successfully design and implement GCF-funded projects. However, MoF currently lacks a formalized ESS management system tailored to GCF projects. This gap needs to be addressed to safeguard communities and environments in project areas and to maintain GCF compliance.

In light of the above, the Ministry of Finance of Ethiopia, with support from GGGI, seeks to engage an individual consultant to design and operationalize a comprehensive Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Management System for GCF-funded projects. The consultancy will strengthen MoF’s institutional framework for identifying, managing, and monitoring environmental and social risks across the project cycle, in line with the GCF’s Environmental and Social Policy and international best practices. The ESS Management System will be customized to Ethiopia’s context, aligning with national laws and the institutional setup of the CRGE Facility, while meeting the requirements of the GCF and IFC Performance Standards. It will include the development of an ESS manual, risk screening and categorization tools, impact assessment and management plan templates, monitoring and reporting procedures, and a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). The consultant will also build the capacity of federal and regional stakeholders through training and a Training of Trainers (ToT) program to ensure effective rollout of the new ESS system. Ultimately, this assignment will enable the MoF to confidently manage environmental and social safeguards for all current and future GCF-funded projects, thereby upholding GCF standards and protecting the interests of communities and the environment.

1.3 Objective

The primary objective of this assignment is to establish a fit-for-purpose Environmental and Social Safeguards Management System for the Ministry of Finance that can be applied to all GCF-funded projects and programs. This system should enable MoF to identify, assess, and manage environmental and social risks of projects from inception to completion, ensuring compliance with the GCF’s Environmental and Social Policy and IFC Performance Standards, as well as Ethiopian environmental and social regulations. By the end of the assignment, MoF will have in place an official ESS Manual with accompanying tools and procedures, a trained cadre of staff (at both federal and regional levels) capable of implementing the system, and initial hands-on experience through pilot implementation in select projects. This will strengthen MoF’s capacity to safeguard against adverse environmental/social impacts while enhancing positive outcomes in all GCF-supported interventions.

1.4 Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake, but not necessarily be limited to, the following tasks and activities:

• Inception and Document Review: Conduct an inception meeting with MoF/CRGE Facility to clarify the assignment scope, work plan, and expectations. Perform a thorough review of all relevant documentation, including GCF policy documents (e.g. GCF Environmental and Social Policy, GCF interim ESS standards/IFC Performance Standards), the Ethiopia Customized GCF Guidebooks for Accredited and Executing Entities (Volumes I and II), existing MoF policies or procedures on safeguards, Ethiopia’s environmental and social legal framework (e.g. Environmental Impact Assessment Proclamation, health and safety regulations, etc.), and any current practices within MoF for project safeguards. Identify gaps between current systems and GCF requirements.
• Design of ESS Management System: Develop a comprehensive ESS Management System tailored to MoF’s role as a GCF Accredited Entity. This includes creating an ESS Policy/Manual that outlines the processes and standards for environmental and social risk management at project and portfolio levels. The system should align with the eight IFC Performance Standards and GCF safeguard requirements, covering areas such as risk screening, impact assessment, management plans, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement. Key components to be developed under this task are:

• Risk Screening and Categorization Tools: Develop screening checklists and criteria for classifying projects into GCF risk categories A, B, or C (high, moderate, or minimal risk) based on potential environmental and social impacts. The tools should enable MoF to consistently determine a project’s risk category at concept stage and identify required safeguard measures. Include templates for initial environmental and social screening reports and risk categorization forms.
• Environmental and Social Assessment & Management Procedures: Define step-by-step procedures for conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and preparing Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) for projects, proportionate to their risk category. Provide templates or outlines for ESIA terms of reference, ESMP contents, and related safeguard instruments in line with GCF and IFC standards. Ensure these procedures incorporate the mitigation hierarchy (avoid, minimize, mitigate, compensate) and address all relevant safeguard areas (biodiversity, land acquisition, indigenous peoples, gender, etc.).
• Monitoring, Compliance and Reporting Tools: Develop tools for ongoing monitoring of ESS compliance during project implementation, such as environmental and social performance monitoring checklists and report templates. These should enable project implementers and MoF to track the implementation of mitigation measures (as per ESMPs), environmental and social indicators, and compliance with GCF requirements throughout the project life cycle. Define a process for periodic safeguards performance reporting to GCF, including annual ESS performance reports and a final safeguards completion report confirming all ESS obligations have been met (including closure of any outstanding issues or grievances).
• Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM): Establish a clear, accessible Grievance Redress Mechanism for GCF projects to handle complaints or concerns from project-affected people and other stakeholders. This should include procedures for submission of grievances, assigned roles/responsibilities for managing grievances, timelines for acknowledgement and resolution, and appeal processes. The GRM should be designed to be transparent and responsive, ensuring stakeholders’ concerns are addressed fairly and promptly. Provide a template for a project-level GRM log and guidelines for reporting grievances and their resolution to MoF and GCF.
• Institutional Roles and Responsibilities: Define the institutional arrangement for implementing the ESS system within MoF’s structure (e.g. roles of the CRGE Facility’s Environmental and Social Safeguards officers or focal points, project executing entities, and any third-party experts in the review and clearance of ESIAs/ESMPs). Outline decision-making authority for clearing projects at various risk levels and the workflow for ESS due diligence and approval during project preparation and implementation. This should be reflected in the ESS Manual to clarify accountability.

• Stakeholder Consultation on ESS System: Engage with key stakeholders to enrich the developed ESS framework. This includes consultations/workshops with MoF’s CRGE Facility team, relevant federal ministries or agencies, and selected regional bureaus or project executing entities. Gather feedback on the practicality of the proposed ESS procedures, checklists, and tools, and incorporate local knowledge and concerns. Ensure that the system is well-integrated with existing government processes and addresses on-the-ground realities in Ethiopia. Revise the draft ESS Management System (manual and tools) based on stakeholder inputs and produce a final draft ready for pilot testing.
• Development of Training Module and Materials: Based on the finalized ESS Management System, develop a comprehensive training module to build capacity of stakeholders on GCF safeguards and the use of the new ESS system. This should include preparation of a Training Manual/Guide that summarizes the ESS procedures and tools in an accessible format, presentation slides, case studies or examples (possibly drawn from GCF projects), and practical exercises. The training materials should also cover an overview of GCF’s Environmental and Social Policy and standards to ensure participants understand the rationale and requirements behind the system. Tailor the content to both federal-level staff and regional or project-level practitioners.
• Conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop: Organize and deliver a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop in Addis Ababa for selected federal and regional staff who will champion and roll out the ESS management system. The ToT should be an interactive, practice-oriented session covering all aspects of the new ESS system. The consultant will facilitate the sessions, ensuring clarity on tools like the screening checklists, ESMP template, monitoring forms, and GRM processes. A brief training completion report will be prepared, summarizing the workshop outcomes, participant feedback, and any recommendations for further capacity building.
• Pilot Implementation and Field Support: Provide hands-on support to MoF and implementing entities during the initial rollout of the ESS management system in at least two regions. The consultant will act as a coach/mentor during these pilot implementations, which may involve field travel to project sites or regional offices. Support activities include guiding the local project teams through the entire ESS process: conducting the screening and risk categorization for a real project, facilitating stakeholder consultations and the ESIA process if required, developing an ESMP and GRM for the project, and setting up monitoring/reporting mechanisms. The consultant will work side-by-side with the staff to troubleshoot issues, ensure proper documentation, and demonstrate how the tools and checklists are used in practice. This practical pilot phase will help test the robustness of the ESS system and reveal any adjustments needed. The consultant will document lessons learned, best practices, and any challenges encountered during the pilot implementations.
• Finalization and Handover: Incorporate the insights and feedback from the pilot phase into the final ESS Management System documentation. If necessary, refine the ESS Manual, tools, or procedures to address any gaps or improvements identified during rollout. Prepare a Final Report at the conclusion of the assignment. The final report should also outline an action plan for MoF to institutionalize the ESS system (such as any further training needs, staffing or resource considerations, integration with MoF’s existing monitoring systems, etc.). The consultant will formally hand over all materials (manual, tools, training content, and reports) to the MoF and conduct a de-briefing session to ensure a smooth transfer of knowledge.

1.5 Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs over the course of 150 working days starting in March 2026. The table below outlines the anticipated timeframe for each deliverable:

1.6 Payment Milestones

Payments shall be linked with the deliverables and shall be executed after the CRGE Facility in MOF confirms the successful completion of each deliverable as stipulated hereunder. The consultant shall be paid the lump sum contract amount upon certification of the completed tasks satisfactorily, as per the following payment schedule:

1.7 Reporting

The consultant will report to the CRGE Facility Head at the Ministry of Finance MoF, within the CRGE Facility. All plans, reports, and outputs will be reviewed by MoF. The consultant will work in close coordination with the CRGE Facility team and relevant experts from the executing entity at federal and regional levels, ensuring alignment and ownership of the ESS across institutions. Regular progress meetings will be held (either in-person or virtual) to update on work progress and resolve any issues. The consultant shall promptly inform the CRGE Facility Head of any challenges encountered that could impact timely delivery. All key deliverables and decisions will be validated in consultation with this supervisory team.

Expertise required

Administrative information