Individual Consultant - Feasibility Study for Organic Waste Valorization
Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
Individual Consultant 3 Consultancy Close on 5 Apr 2026
Please note that the deadline is based on Korean Standard Time Zone (KST, UTC+9)
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.
GGGI has a growing portfolio of programs in developing countries and emerging economies around the world, managing a diverse set of programs and projects focused on four key thematic areas of energy, green cities, water, and land-use as well as the cross-cutting areas of climate change and socially inclusive development, all of which contribute significantly to the potential for achieving green growth in developing countries. These in-country programs, together with global products and services, focus on delivering results through an integrated approach of evidence-based green growth planning and implementation aligned to countries’ development priorities.
Costa Rica faces a critical challenge in managing municipal solid waste, where more than 80% of organic waste - representing more than half of the total waste stream - ends up in landfills, generating significant methane emissions and environmental pressures. While the country has prioritized circular economy solutions through its National Decarbonization Plan and the Waste NAMA, technical and financial barriers persist. The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) has completed a feasibility study for the Virilla Biogas Project, confirming the technical viability for an anaerobic digestion plant with a capacity of 100 tons per day that would generate 3.99 GWh annually with a 500-kW capacity. However, the study identifies gaps in the economic model, particularly regarding the high energy production costs that challenge the project's viability within the national electricity system.
Therefore, the aim is to complete the comprehensive economic-financial analysis required to bring the Virilla Biogas Project to bankability. The focus will be on defining the operational structure for managing the digestion of organic waste, identifying entities responsible for the administration of biogas reactors, and analyzing alternative uses for the biogas beyond electricity generation. Additionally, the analysis will incorporate the incremental costs for the differentiated collection of organic waste and the development of a logistics proposal to guarantee the quality of the feedstock. By addressing these specific barriers, the project will lay the groundwork for future investment mobilization and create a replicable model, positioning Costa Rica as a regional leader in circular waste management while contributing to its 2045 decarbonization goals.
This assignment is delivered under the project Advancing Circular Economy through Waste Valorization Solutions in Mexico and Costa Rica, which provides demand-led technical assistance to remove barriers and bring two waste valorization projects to bankability stage. In Costa Rica, the assignment supports the ICE-led Virilla biogas initiative and the enabling collection/pretreatment system required to secure bankable feedstock quality and operating costs. The project aims to mobilize investment towards a broader pipeline of waste-to-energy initiatives in Costa Rica and to generate replicable evidence and tools to support scale-up.
The Organic Waste Valorization Consultant will work and deliver within GGGI's Costa Rica Organic Waste Project. The overall objective of the Consultant position is to support the conclusion of the feasibility study of an integrated organic waste management system in Costa Rica by:
Design a differentiated collection system of at least 100 tons/day of organic recovery waste through anaerobic digestion.
Evaluate technical, economic, financial and regulatory viability oriented to structure a bankable project.
Design and cost a differentiated collection and pretreatment system (CAPEX/OPEX, routing, staffing and operating requirements) to supply the anaerobic digestion solution.
Develop and compare implementable operating and governance structures (roles and responsibilities across ICE, municipalities and potential private operators), including contracting implications and risk allocation.
Support the strengthening of municipal competencies.
Present results for strategic decision-making by involved stakeholders.
Complete a technical proposal for the 100 tons/day organic waste valorization system
Methodology - General Considerations:
The consultant must consider the architectural, urban, social, and economic conditions that directly or indirectly influence the logistics of differentiated collection, as well as the lessons learned and experience of municipalities in the operation of ordinary waste collection routes; taking into consideration existing routes, municipal infrastructure, outsourcing contracts for collection, transfer and disposal, as well as local and national regulations.
The regulatory frameworks of official institutions must be considered:
Ministry of Health: https://www.ministeriodesalud.go.cr/
Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE): https://www.minae.go.cr/
Institute of Technical Standards of Costa Rica (INTECO): https://www.inteco.org/
Internal regulations and capacities of the selected municipalities for the study.
Within the regulatory framework to be considered, the following are mentioned:
National Policy for Integrated Waste Management 2023-2033 and National Plan for Integrated Waste Management 2023-2028
Regulation for the regionalized management of solid, ordinary, and organic waste in Costa Rica. No. 44974-S
Regulation on the management of ordinary solid waste No. 36093-S
Law for Integrated Waste Management No. 8839
National Composting Plan 2020-2050
Methodology for Generation and Composition Studies of Ordinary Solid Waste No. 37745-S
- GGGI will provide support for obtaining information and access to key stakeholders.
- Baseline information on waste generation and composition will be provided by the municipalities through their composition studies and by GGGI.
- The consultant shall develop a matrix of technical, environmental, operational, and regulatory risks, associated with the stages of differentiated collection, pretreatment, treatment, and valorization of organic waste, including mitigation measures and critical assumptions.
- This feasibility study must reduce investment uncertainty for the valorization of ordinary organic waste through differentiated collection and biodigestion.
- GGGI and ICE will provide the feasibility study that evaluates the valorization of organic waste through biodigestion and electricity generation. The consultant shall incorporate the results of this consultancy with the economic results of the feasibility study provided, to form a comprehensive analysis of all stages of the value chain of the ordinary organic waste valorization process.
- The consultant is not expected to rework the feasibility study of the organic waste valorization stage, already evaluated by ICE. However, it is expected to read and understand it, and in case of identifying risks and opportunities for improvement, to give visibility to these.
Deliverable 1. Workplan
Development of one (1) detailed work plan that includes:
A) Schedule, and
B) methodology for contract activities.
Deliverable 2. Digestate Valorization Assessment
Technical report on digestates management and valorization, including a business model proposal.
The Consultant shall conduct a technical, regulatory and financial assessment of digestate management and valorization pathways arising from the anaerobic digestion process.
- Evaluate technical and regulatory alternatives for the valorization, treatment, and disposal of digestate as part of the organic waste valorization value chain.
- Review the applicable regulatory framework and the technical, sanitary, and environmental requirements for the handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of digestate.
- Define technical and economic guidelines for sustainable digestate management, including quality conditions, traceability, and control.
- Analyze productive valorization alternatives (agricultural use, soil conditioner, others) and their technical, economic, and regulatory viability.
- Develop a business model proposal and economic analysis of the tentative cost or revenue from digestate disposal and valorization, incorporating the identification of stakeholders and participation schemes, aligned with the overall valorization model. The Consultant shall explicitly assess at least two possible scenarios and viable disposal mechanisms.
Deliverable 3. Final design of the differentiated collection system (investable level)
Technical report and design of the differentiated collection system, including the geospatial component (QGIS/ArcGIS) with optimized routes, operational quantification, CAPEX/OPEX budget, and graphic diagram of the business model. In addition to the report, the GIS files must be delivered. Design of a Differentiated Collection System for the selected municipalities.
The Consultant shall design an operationally and financially viable differentiated collection, pretreatment and final disposal for a system capable of supplying a minimum of 100 tons/day of suitable organic feedstock to the anaerobic digestion facility.
The assessment shall include:
Technical Design:
- Identification and mapping of target waste generators (markets, commercial, institutional and residential where applicable)
- Characterization of organic waste streams (volumes, seasonality, contamination rates)
- Collection logistics design (routing optimization, fleet requirements, bin specifications, storage and transfer arrangements)
- Pretreatment process definition (sorting, shredding, contamination removal, homogenization and quality control)
- Feedstock quality specifications and contamination thresholds compatible with anaerobic digestion performance
Financial Structuring:
- Detailed CAPEX and OPEX breakdown
- Phased investment plan (procurement timeline and ramp-up schedule)
- Expected operational efficiency improvement curve
- Break-even collection volume threshold
- Risk and sensitivity considerations
- All cost assumptions must be clearly documented, based on market benchmarks or supplier quotations (where possible) and presented in unit cost format (e.g., cost per ton collected, etc.)
Notes:
- Present progress updates as applicable and actively participate in coordination meetings with GGGI, municipalities, and generators to ensure alignment and timely feedback.
- Carry out all necessary actions related to the collection, review, and validation of information from GGGI, municipalities, and generators, ensuring accuracy and completeness of data to support the consultancy's objectives.
Deliverable 4. Technical support for the construction and implementation of a differentiated collection strategy –focused on the collection of organic waste from the San José wholesale market.
The fruit and vegetable markets generate significant amounts of organic waste daily. Currently, these markets have wasted disposal containers distributed throughout their facilities, but they do not yet have source separation infrastructure. Therefore, it is sought that, jointly with the GGGI team, local government, markets, ICE, this consultant, and another parallel consultancy, a pilot strategy for differentiated collection of organic waste be developed for a market yet to be defined, serving as a demonstration for other markets and large generators.
- Support the planning, facilitation, and systematization of participatory working groups led by the market administration and GGGI, aimed at the joint definition of goals, roles, operational criteria, organic waste typologies, source separation infrastructure (quantity, location, and labeling containers), as well as necessary adjustments to market collection and cleaning routines.
- Integrate the pilot facilitation team, actively participating in practical workshops (estimated between 3 and 4), including at least two (2) technical presentations on topics of differentiated organic waste collection, sampling, awareness-raising, and capacity building; as well as supporting practical activities of labeling, signage, adaptation, and placement of containers, and training of market stakeholders.
- Support the participatory construction of a simple monitoring and control scheme, including the definition of measurable indicators, sampling methodology, registration tools, and reporting mechanisms, as well as training administrative and cleaning staff of the market for the correct registration, interpretation, analysis, and reporting.
- In this product, the consultant's support is limited to the time for preparation, planning, facilitation, and technical participation in the described working sessions. Operational and logistical costs (food, equipment, and educational materials) will be covered by GGGI and the Market administration.
The deliverable must include documented participation and technical support in planning sessions and workshops, through the presentation of technical materials (presentations and documents) used in these activities, as well as demonstrable participation in meetings and recorded sessions for the strategy construction.
Deliverable 5. Integrated Financial Model and Investment-Ready Package
The Consultant shall develop and compare at least two implementable governance and operating models, for example: ICE-led integrated model and/or Public-Private partnership (PPP), among others like local government association:
- Build a comprehensive financial model, with a defined horizon, including cash flow projections (revenues, expenses, savings, and avoided costs) and the calculation of financial indicators such as NPV, IRR, and payback period, incorporating sensitivity analysis and governance contexts.
- The financial model must integrate the results and economic considerations of the feasibility study provided after contract signing, subject to a confidentiality commitment, to integrate a financial analysis of the entire business model for the collection, pretreatment, treatment, and valorization of ordinary organic waste.
- Evaluate and recommend additional revenue sources.
- Carbon finance interface: Prepare a concise technical note summarizing the mitigation of accounting parameters and assumptions needed to support Costa Rica’s carbon finance roadmap under the broader project. This note shall include indicative baseline and project boundaries for methane avoidance; key data requirements for MRV; and a short assessment of whether carbon revenues could materially improve project viability, including key constraints and risks.
- Include an economic evaluation of trading carbon mitigation, building upon the mitigation potential already quantified in the feasibility study, and considering the domestic Costa Rican market and international opportunities.
The deliverables must include a financial model in Excel, Word, and PDF, duly documented (assumptions, scenarios, and results), and financial evaluation and revenue streams report.
Deliverable 6. Results Presentation Workshop and Final Report.
Support for the Development of the Bioenergy Project Pipeline and results Presentation Workshop
The Consultant shall support the development of a structured, prioritized, and replicable pipeline of waste-to-biogas projects in Costa Rica, aligned with national circular economy and decarbonization priorities. This output is lead by GGGI staff and the consultancy firm will provide input and a technical review of the products developed by GGGI. The scope of work for the consultancy firm will include:
Data Collection and Mapping:
Review and update missing information on project database of existing and potential waste-to-biogas initiatives in Costa Rica, the project database will be developed by GGGI.
Facilitate engagement with project developers, operators, municipalities, and sector experts. GGGI will develop questionnaires to obtain updated information on the project status, the Consultancy firm will use its network to share the questionnaire and will facilitate meetings between GGGI and the developer to obtain information on project status.
Support the collection and review of available pre-feasibility and feasibility studies.
Based on the completed feasibility study of Virilla and other studies collected during the project pipeline development, GGGI will develop a structured methodology for the evaluation and prioritization of waste-to-biogas projects, including:
Definition of evaluation criteria across: Technical feasibility (feedstock availability, technology readiness), Financial viability (indicative CAPEX/OPEX ranges, revenue streams), Implementation readiness (institutional capacity, regulatory conditions), Environmental impact (methane mitigation potential, circular economy contribution)
Development of a scoring system and weighting approach based on Multicriteria Analysis (MCA)
Clear classification of project maturity levels (concept, pre-feasibility, feasibility, investment-ready)
As part of this consultancy, support is required in reviewing the tool and providing technical comments; the tool aims to score projects in the pipeline following the developed methodology with the objective of having a prioritized project pipeline.
Note: With the exception of the other activities, Support for the Development of the Bioenergy Project Pipeline, is merely a support role, aimed at identifying and recording bioenergy initiatives, reviewing and improving analysis methodologies and tools. Therefore, leadership and responsibility primarily lie with GGGI.
Presentation Workshop
- Plan and facilitate a results presentation workshop to present the differentiated collection system design, business models, and integrated financial model.
- Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools in the presentation of route design, territorial coverage, generator location, and optimization analysis that supports the proposed collection system, communicating the relevance of using these tools for this evaluation.
- Systematize observations, identified risks, and agreed adjustments, incorporating them into final reports.
- Deliverables must include the following: Two workshop minutes a technical report, and final reports.
- Technical inputs on the project pipeline, including additional projects added.
- Technical inputs for the evaluation and prioritization methodology (criteria, maturity levels, MCA logic)
- Support to complete the pipeline project developed by GGGI.
- Support for discussions, evaluations, and additional analyses that may be required by the project for the scaling of the feasibility study and the development of a concept note for a related proposal.
Note: The need to conduct field visits for information gathering, as well as technical visits and in-person participation in workshops, must be considered. These will take place in San José or Heredia.
All financial estimates (CAPEX and OPEX) developed under Sections 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 shall:
The consultancy assignment is comprised of the outputs and deliverables shown in the table below.
| Payment | Deliverables | Scope of Deliverables | Delivery Date (after contract start date) | Percentage |
| Payment #1 | Deliverable 1. Work Plan | Development of detailed work plan, schedule, and methodology for contract activities. | 2 weeks | 5% |
| Payment #2 | Deliverable 2. Digestate valorization assessment | Technical report on digestates management and valorization, including a business model proposal. | 8 weeks | 10% |
| Payment #3 | Deliverable 3. Final design of the differentiated collection system (investable level) | Technical report and design of the differentiated collection system, including the geospatial component (QGIS/ArcGIS) with optimized routes, operational quantification, CAPEX/OPEX budget, and graphic diagram of the business model. In addition to the report, the GIS files must be delivered. Validated with stakeholders | 12 weeks | 25% |
| Payment #4 | Deliverable 4. Technical support for pilot differentiated collection strategy |
Documented participation and technical support in planning sessions and workshops, through the presentation of technical materials (presentations and documents) used in these activities, as well as demonstrable participation in meetings and recorded sessions for strategy construction.
| 16 weeks | 25% |
| Payment #5 | Deliverable 5. Integrated Financial Model and Investment-Ready Package | Financial models in Excel, Word, and PDF, duly documented (assumptions, scenarios, and results), and financial evaluation and revenue streams report. Validated with stakeholders | 20 weeks | 20% |
| Payment #6 | Deliverable 6. Results Presentation Workshop and Final Report | Results of the first workshop: Support provided for the Development of the Bioenergy Project Pipeline and Results Presentation Workshop, including workshop minutes. | 26 weeks | 10% |
| Payment #7 | Second workshop minutes and technical report. Final report. | 32 weeks | 5% |
Additional reporting and delivery requirements are estimated as follows:
All deliverables, including the final report, must be delivered in Spanish and are subject to formal approval by GGGI. Payment for each delivery will be made upon its acceptance by GGGI, following review and integration of comments.
The Consultant should strive to integrate GGGI’s and actors’ comments within 5 days of the receipt of the comments or modification requests. During the first week of assignment the consultant will define the reporting arrangements of the consultancy, in consultation with the Project Manager. All deliverables (documents with their annexes and infographics, schematics, tables, diagrams, cartography, and the other graphic aspects developed to facilitate the understanding of the technical contents) will be delivered in a digital medium and in Microsoft Office software, in open files that allow their editing.
Environmental engineering, Chemical Engineering, Sanitary, Waste Management, Circular Economy, Environmental Policy, and related fields.
5+ years relevant experience in the national context with a Master’s degree, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience in solid waste management and organic waste valorization, circular economy desirable.
At least 2 years of experience in consultants for international cooperation, multilateral organizations, or public institutions.
At least 3 years of experience in design of differentiated collection systems, feasibility studies, or waste-to-energy projects.
Demonstrated knowledge of Costa Rican regulatory framework for waste management (Law 8839, MINAE, GIR Policy 2023-2033, National Composting Plan, National Biomethane Strategy).
Proven experience in workshop facilitation, technical presentations, and capacity building with municipal and private stakeholders.
Demonstrable experience and expertise in GIS tools (QGIS/ArcGIS) for route optimization and georeferencing.
Experience in financial modeling, multicriteria analysis, and business model development for circular economy projects is desirable.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with proven ability to develop and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Fluency in Spanish required. Professional working proficiency in English is desirable.
Interested consultants shall submit following documentation:
Date to close is Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered Application. Cover Letter, and 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.
