GCF Concept Note Developer

About the role

The incumbent will lead the development of a full Green Climate Fund (GCF) Concept Note for the priority project idea generated under FAO Zambia's Readiness Programme. Using the official GCF template, the role ensures the concept note is technically sound, validated by stakeholders, and ready for submission to the GCF Secretariat.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the end‑to‑end preparation of the GCF Concept Note, from drafting to final validation.
• Provide technical advice on GCF requirements, investment criteria and project design standards to the FAO Country Team, the National Designated Authority (NDA) and private‑sector partners.
• Coordinate technical consultations, stakeholder engagement and validation processes to secure country ownership.
• Review validated project idea notes, confirm the project to be advanced, and fill any remaining technical, financial, market or safeguards data gaps.
• Develop the theory of change, results framework and align the project with Zambia’s NDC, NAP and national development priorities.
• Draft all required sections of the Concept Note, including summary, background, impact, financing, implementation arrangements and preliminary risk and safeguards considerations.
• Prepare an indicative budget and financing structure, outlining anticipated GCF financing and co‑financing sources.
• Validate the draft with the NDA, FAO team and stakeholders, revise based on feedback, and support follow‑up consultations with GCF.
• Perform any other related duties as required.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Environmental Science or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in climate finance and project/programme design, planning and monitoring.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.
• National of Zambia or resident with a valid work permit.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international climate finance, especially the GCF project cycle and UNFCCC adaptation/mitigation agendas.

Required skills

• Knowledge of Green Climate Fund (GCF) project cycle and investment criteria.
• Experience developing GCF Concept Notes or comparable funding proposals.
• Project budgeting and financing structuring.
• Qualitative and quantitative data analysis.