Unep Finance Initiative; Unep Fi - Gfanz Carbon Markets Expert

Duties and responsibilities

The consultant will work closely with UNEP FI and GFANZ regional networks to support activities that strengthen the role of carbon markets as a credible climate finance tool in Africa. The consultant will also help to design and execute a workplan and strategy for the GFANZ Africa Network, building on the Central GFANZ Secretariat’s carbon market priorities.

6 month duration.

Objectives:
Under the supervision of the GFANZ Team, and in coordination with UNEP FI climate teams, the consultant will:

• Provide technical expertise on carbon markets in Africa
• Support development of GFANZ Africa carbon market strategy and outputs
• Engage stakeholders including financial institutions, project developers, and policymakers
• In collaboration with the Central GFANZ and Climate Data Steering Committee Secretariats, help to pilot the Common Carbon Credit Data Model in African countries

Specific tasks and responsibilities:

• Engage with the Central GFANZ Secretariat to translate its strategic priorities on carbon markets into meaningful engagements and work products for African stakeholders
• Drive the development and execution of a workplan and near‑term strategy for the GFANZ Africa network’s engagements on carbon markets
  • This strategy should include a meaningful way to engage financial institutions on supporting high‑integrity, cross‑border carbon markets in Africa
  • It should also include an engagement plan with existing stakeholders and initiatives working on scaling markets in Africa, carving out a clear value add for GFANZ’s involvement – these include, but are not limited to, AfDB’s Carbon Support Facility, the Carbon Knowledge Hub (a South Africa B20 Legacy Initiative) and the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative
• Assist the Climate Data Steering Committee, a GFANZ sister organisation, to advance the piloting of the Common Carbon Credit Data Model (delivered as part of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group during South Africa’s Presidency in 2025) in African countries
• Targeted engagements with financial institutions in Africa to identify and address major barriers to scaling finance for high‑integrity carbon projects in Africa – where applicable, the consultant will be asked to lead on the drafting of short reports, briefing notes or publications on this question
• Collaborate with Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC) to identify critical capacity gaps in African carbon markets (eg: auditing capacity) and make available capacity building resources to address these

The consultant will report to: overall supervisor:
The Head of UNEP FI. Direct supervisor:
The Climate Lead, UNEP FI. Close coordination: GFANZ secretariat and partner institutions.

Education:

A master’s degree in international development studies, climate change, climate finance, environmental engineering and management, finance, climate technologies and economics, environmental economics, climate policy, or related field is required. A bachelor’s degree could be taken in lieu of master’s degree provided the selected candidate has 7 years of relevant experience.

Professional

Experience:

At least five (5) years of working experience in carbon markets policy and/or project development and transactions, climate, or green finance with financial institutions, private sector developers, investors, or public sector entities is required.