Purpose and Objectives: Agriculture is crucial to Pakistan’s economy, contributing 19.2% to GDP and providing livelihoods for a large portion of the population. However, climate change threatens the sector, affecting water availability, soil moisture, and crop productivity. Pakistan is highly vulnerable, with rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns posing risks to food security.
Precision agriculture offers a promising solution by optimizing resource use and minimizing environmental impact through technologies like GPS-guided equipment, automated irrigation, and drones. These innovations improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance yields. Capacity building and knowledge management are vital to the widespread adoption of these technologies, aligning with national goals such as the Agriculture Policy, National Climate Change Policy, Nationally Determined Contributions, National Adaptation Plan, and Sustainable Development Goals. Investments in these areas will modernize agriculture, ensuring sustainability and resilience against climate change.
The goal of the project is to build capacity for precision agriculture by creating a centralized knowledge management system in both Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. This system will store and organize information to support education and practical applications through workshops and webinars. A comprehensive Readiness Action Plan will be developed to enhance institutional capacities, address policy gaps, and promote climate-smart agriculture using precision tools.
The National Consultant-Climate Finance Officer and GCF Proposal Writer will play a pivotal role in securing climate finance for precision agriculture initiatives. He/she will support the team in developing and implementing climate-resilient agricultural practices, integrating precision agriculture technologies and ensuring alignment with GCF goals to enhance productivity, sustainability and adaptive capacity of farming systems in Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
Responsibilities and Tasks:
The consultant will lead the development of high-quality GCF funding proposals and concept notes, including developing financial models and budgets, conducting financial due diligence on potential partners and projects, and ensuring the effective and efficient use of project funds. The consultant will be responsible for the following (timeline for each deliverable will be determined during the inception phase of the project):
Strategic Frameworks
1.1 Conduct a scenario analysis through desk reviews and assess Business-As-Usual activities, complemented by a policy gap analysis to inform initial recommendations for enhancing public-private partnerships in precision farming.
1.2 Develop a strategy for mobilizing private sector investment in precision agriculture.
1.3 Establish an investment forum to connect agri-tech companies with investors and government stakeholders.
Pipeline Development
2.1 Prepare concept notes in collaboration with Resilient Agriculture Specialist for priority sectors with the support of the RPSP for submission to the GCF and MoCC&EC for the upscaling of prioritized precision agriculture techniques.
2.2 Conduct technical sessions in co-development write shops in Punjab and GB for local stakeholders, including government officials and civil society organizations on the development of GCF concept notes and proposals, with an emphasis on climate-smart and precision agriculture initiatives and prioritize projects that integrate precision agriculture with climate resilience strategies for Pakistan.
Capacity Building
Submit a report confirming the following inputs and outputs:
3.1 Facilitate in conducting a comprehensive gap analysis and highlight areas where improved information sharing is most critical
3.2 Facilitate in establishment of information repositories for stakeholders to access reports, research papers, guidelines, and other relevant documents on precision agriculture.
Qualifications:
1. Master’s degree or higher in finance, economics, business administration, environmental sciences, or any related fields.
2. At least 7 years of experience in climate finance, financial management, or related fields with demonstrated knowledge of GCF processes and international climate finance mechanisms.
3. Experience in leading the development of high-quality GCF funding proposals and concept notes, including developing financial models and budgets, conducting financial due diligence on potential partners and projects, and ensuring the effective and efficient use of project funds.
4. Experience in conducting in-depth research on GCF funding windows and priorities, explore other sources of climate finance, and build stakeholder capacity on accessing and utilizing climate finance.
5. Similar work experience in Government/INGO/bilateral or multilateral development partner-funded projects is preferable.
6. Demonstrated ability and plan and organize work and time independently. 7. Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience in working in a multi-cultural environment.
8. Strong desire to learn, and undertake new challenges, must be a creative problem solver, must have self-confidence, willing to work hard, and to deliver quality work.
Closing date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025Duration: The total time of the assignment and the period during which the work should be completed is a period of 18 months.
