GCF Concept Note Development Consultant

### Result of Service The consultancy will support Outcome 4.1 of the GCF Readiness project "Advancing a Regional Approach to the Green Hydrogen Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean" by preparing three concept notes, one each for Bolivia, Chile and Uruguay, for priority green hydrogen projects identified through the project’s prefeasibility studies. The consultant will prepare three concept notes for consideration by the respective National Designated Authorities and prospective Accredited Entities. UNEP will provide the consultant with the completed prefeasibility studies for the priority green hydrogen projects. The three studies assess the technical, economic, financial, environmental, regulatory and social feasibility of: a green hydrogen pilot in Warnes, Bolivia, including natural-gas blending; hydrogen refueling stations for freight corridors linking Chile’s central ports and airport; and hydrogen, battery and electrification options to decarbonize operations at Montevideo Port, Uruguay, respectively. These studies will serve as the principal technical basis for the concept notes, together with relevant national policies, strategies and other supporting documentation. The assignment will include consultations with the NDAs, government counterparts, prospective Accredited Entities, project proponents, financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders to confirm project ownership, financing needs and alignment with GCF requirements. The consultant will assess the most suitable GCF pathway, including the Simplified Approval Process, the Enhancing Direct Access Request for Proposals and/or Project Preparation Facility support, where applicable. Final submission remains subject to endorsement by the relevant NDA and engagement of an eligible Accredited Entity. Advancing a Regional Approach to the Green Hydrogen Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC-RS-018): Outcome 4.1 An increase in the number of quality project concept notes developed and submitted Output 4.1.A Pipeline of concept note developed and ready for submission to the GCF Across the three activities, the consultant will review the relevant prefeasibility studies and project documentation; identify information gaps and coordinate inputs with UNEP and national counterparts; engage prospective Accredited Entities and other financing partners; assess alignment with national priorities and GCF investment criteria; and incorporate climate rationale, theory of change, project components, implementation arrangements, financing structure, environmental and social considerations, gender responsiveness, risks and sustainability into each concept note, as applicable. • Activity 1 Develop one (1) concept note in Bolivia for priority sectors for submission to the GCF, including under the SAP, EDA RfP and/or those targeted for PPF assistance. • Activity 2 Develop one (1) concept notes in Chile for priority sectors for submission to the GCF, including under the SAP, EDA RfP and/or those targeted for PPF assistance. • Activity 3 Develop one (1) concept note in Uruguay for priority sectors for submission to the GCF, including under the SAP, EDA RfP and/or those targeted for PPF assistance. Deliverables Product No. 1: A report containing a concept note for Bolivia, prepared in English using the applicable GCF template and based on the prefeasibility study provided by UNEP. (Activity 1) Product No. 2: A report containing concept note for Chile, prepared in English using the applicable GCF template and based on the prefeasibility study provided by UNEP. (Activity 2) Product No. 3: A report containing a concept note for Uruguay, prepared in English using the applicable GCF template and based on the prefeasibility study provided by UNEP. (Activity 3) The consultancy will contribute to Outcome 4.1 by producing three GCF concept notes for priority green hydrogen projects in Bolivia, Chile and Uruguay. Each draft will be grounded in the corresponding prefeasibility study, national priorities and consultations with the relevant NDA, government counterparts, prospective Accredited Entities and project stakeholders. Under the direct supervision of UNEP’s Programme Management Officer for Energy Efficiency of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean Office, the consultant shall perform the following activities: • Review the Bolivia prefeasibility study and supporting national documents; consult the NDA, relevant ministries, project proponents and prospective Accredited Entities; assess the appropriate GCF pathway; prepare concept note using the applicable GCF template and guidance; and revise it in response to consolidated comments from UNEP and national counterparts. • Review the Chile prefeasibility study and supporting national documents; consult the NDA, relevant ministries, project proponents and prospective Accredited Entities; assess the appropriate GCF pathway; prepare concept note using the applicable GCF template and guidance; and revise it in response to consolidated comments from UNEP and national counterparts. • Review the Uruguay prefeasibility study and supporting national documents; consult the NDA, relevant ministries, project proponents and prospective Accredited Entities; assess the appropriate GCF pathway; concept note using the applicable GCF template and guidance; and revise it in response to consolidated comments from UNEP and national counterparts. ### Work Location Home-Based ### Expected duration 3 MONTHS ### Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The green hydrogen generation technical potential in Latin America and the Caribbean is significant, estimated at 1,114 EJ of green hydrogen produced at a cost under USD 1.5/kg by 2050. Therefore, green hydrogen can be produced using the clean and renewable energy sources available in the region. Beyond the potential for its production, using hydrogen as an energy source can also result in a myriad of benefits for the region. The transport sector is the highest consumer of fossil fuels and the leading source of fossil-fuel-related GHG emissions (15% of all regional GHG emissions in 2018). Diesel and gasoline are the main fuels used in transport, accounting for 83% of the total energy use. Hydrogen can be used for all transportation electrification, fuel cell electric cars, trucks, buses, forklifts, ferries and ships, and aircraft. Globally, some 8,000 fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) were sold in 2020. The project "Advancing a Regional Approach to the Green Hydrogen Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean" supports seven participating countries in creating enabling conditions for a green hydrogen economy through national planning, regional knowledge exchange, prefeasibility studies and the preparation of project concept notes for climate finance. UNEP therefore requires a GCF Concept Note Development Consultant to prepare three high-quality concept notes for priority green hydrogen projects in Bolivia, Chile and Uruguay, in accordance with the scope and deliverables below. This position is home-based. The consultant will be supervised by the