National Fiduciary Accreditation Expert

The Gambia is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Sustainable development and climate resilience are therefore central to national priorities, as articulated in the National Development Plan (2018–2021) and related sectoral strategies. Climate change poses a major risk to the country’s economic base, which is highly dependent on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, water resources, energy, and tourism. These sectors are already experiencing declining rainfall, rising temperatures, increased frequency of droughts and floods, sea-level rise, and coastal erosion.

The Gambia’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC, November 2016) sets ambitious mitigation targets, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44.4% by 2025 and 45.4% by 2030 compared to a 2010 baseline. Achieving these commitments requires substantial investment, particularly from international climate finance mechanisms. To date, however, the Gambia has received limited international climate finance, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen national capacity to access, manage, and deploy such resources effectively.

At present, the Gambia does not have a Direct Access Entity (DAE) accredited to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). GAMWORKS, as a public works agency with a mandate to support government policies and national development strategies, is well positioned to play a leading role in mobilizing and channeling international climate finance for adaptation and mitigation projects. A preliminary internal assessment of GAMWORKS against the GCF accreditation checklist has identified significant gaps related to basic fiduciary criteria, specialized fiduciary criteria, environmental and social safeguards, gender mainstreaming, and institutional capacity. This Readiness intervention aims to address these gaps and strengthen GAMWORKS’ capacity to meet and maintain GCF accreditation standards and to develop and implement a pipeline of high-quality climate projects.

Under the overall guidance of the Project Manager and in close coordination with GAMWORKS and relevant national stakeholders, the National Fiduciary Accreditation Expert will provide technical expertise to strengthen institutional systems, policies, procedures, and capacities required for compliance with GCF accreditation standards. The assignment will contribute to institutional readiness, quality assurance of technical outputs, and effective capacity building, ensuring that GAMWORKS is positioned to access, manage, and implement international climate finance in a transparent, accountable, and sustainable manner. 

Main duties

Education: 

Advanced university degree in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, engineering, public administration, or other relevant discipline.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of local languages (e.g. Wolof, Mandinka) is desirable.

WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner. WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

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