Consultant: Lead Trainer for Regional Training on Climate Finance for Safe and Resilient Agri-Food Systems, Home Based, with one trip to Khon Kaen, Thailand

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

Lead Trainer for Regional Training on Climate Finance for Safe and

Resilient Agri-Food Systems

Project Name Contract Type Contract Category Activity Code Duration Duty Station

Mekong CREATES Consultancy Services Special Services Agreement (SSA) A29-NZAP25-ADCY1-2.1-06 8-10 Working Days (November to December 2025) Homebased, with one trip to Khon Kaen, Thailand (November 24-28, 2025)

1. Background / Project Description

Climate change poses a growing threat to agricultural productivity, food safety, and livelihoods in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam (CLMV) are particularly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters such as floods, droughts, and temperature extremes that disrupt value chains, reduce crop yields, and threaten food and nutrition security.

While global and regional climate finance mechanisms such as Green Climate Fund (GCF), Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Adaptation Fund (AF) are available, access and utilization remain limited due to institutional capacity gaps, fragmented coordination, and challenges in developing bankable climate finance projects. Strengthening the region's ability to mobilize and manage climate finance is therefore essential for accelerating the transition toward resilient, safe, and inclusive agri-food systems.

In response, Mekong Institute (MI), under the Mekong CREATES Project supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), will organize a five-day Regional Training on Climate Finance for Safe and Resilient Agri-Food Systems. The training will bring together government officials, representatives from financial institutions, development partners, and technical experts from CLMV to enhance institutional readiness, build practical skills, and improve access to climate finance opportunities aligned with national priorities and global mechanisms.

About Mekong CREATES

By building on the achievements of the PROSAFE initiative, Mekong CREATES: Mekong Capacity-building for Resilient and Enhanced Agricultural Technologies and Food Systems aims to promote sustainable food systems by enhancing food safety and climate resilience of agricultural value chains in CLMV. The project strengthens the capacity of government agencies, academic and research institutions, and the private sector in two key thematic areas: food safety in agri-food value chains and climate resilience and adaptation through access to finance, technology, and innovation. Mekong CREATES contributes to regional frameworks such as the ASEAN Food Safety Policy, ASEAN Climate Resilience Network (ASEAN-CRN), and the GMS Core Agricultural Support Program (CASP).

2. Objectives of the Assignment

The Lead Trainer will be responsible for the overall design, development, delivery, and facilitation of the training program, ensuring participants gain practical knowledge and skills in climate finance implementation in agriculture and food systems. Specifically, the Lead Trainer will:

• Provide technical leadership and facilitate session for core modules;
• Facilitate participatory learning, simulations, and group exercises;
• Mentor participants in developing country-specific climate finance action plans and concept notes aligned with regional or global climate finance requirements; Integrate gender-responsive, youth-inclusive, and digital finance approaches into training content and delivery; and
• Document training results and recommend strategies for post-training follow-up

and capacity strengthening.

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3. Scope of Work and Deliverables

Phase

Scope of Work / Tasks

Deliverables

Timeline/

LOE* 1 - 2 weeks before training (1-2 days)

November 24-27, 2025 (5 days)

1. Post-training report with annexes (Action Plans, test results, and evaluation summary)

Within 2 weeks after training (2-3 days)

1. Final CDS and

agenda

2. Needs assessment

summary (if accepted scope)

3. Pre-post test

questions, PPTs, exercises templates, case studies

4. Proposed list of

speakers

1. Smooth delivery of

training

2. Facilitated group

exercises and draft action plans

Pre- Training

During Training

• Review and finalize the

curriculum design statement (CDS), modules, and agenda

• Develop pre-training needs assessment and participant survey (if needed)
• Prepare pre- and post- test

questions, PPTs, exercise, and case studies

• Coordinate with MI to identify

guest/online speakers

• Prepare participant reading

materials and background notes

• Serve as Lead Trainer for the 5-

day training program

• Deliver modules and facilitate

exercises, discussions, and field visit(s)

• Mentor participants in

developing Action Plans and or project concept notes

• Ensure inclusive participation and knowledge sharing among CLMV countries

Post- Training

• Review and consolidate

participant outputs (Action Plans, exercises)

• Analyze pre/post-test results (by

gender, sector, and country)

• Submit Training Report

summarizing outcomes, lessons learned, and follow-up recommendations

*LOE: Level of Effort

4. Required Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree or higher in economics, finance or business administration,

climate finance, agricultural economics, environmental economics, agribusiness environmental management, development finance, or related field.

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Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum seven (7) years of experience at regional or international level in

designing and delivering training or capacity-building programs in the field of sustainable finance, climate finance, agricultural investment, or impact investing or in the commercial sector closely related to the scope of this assignment

• Demonstrated expertise in climate finance, carbon markets, or resource

mobilization for climate adaptation and mitigation, including familiarity or prior experience with GCF, GEF, or bilateral donor project design, risk financing or insurance instruments

• Solid knowledge of innovative financial instruments in sustainable agri-food

system and climate smart food systems

• Good understanding of agricultural systems and climate related challenges in

developing countries, particularly ASEAN or Southeast Asia, and how environmental and social issues related to business risks and opportunities

• Proven experience in multi-stakeholder facilitation and participatory learning in

developing country contexts

• Strong presentation, mentoring, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent command of spoken and written English

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with ASEAN and GMS frameworks on climate resilience and food

security

• Experience working with financial institutions, National Designed Authorities

(NDAs), and donor-funded projects in CLMV or Southeast Asia

• Experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion related to gender, inclusive

financing approaches

• Familiar with digital knowledge and innovation in climate finance
• Experience in integrating private sector engagement and public-private

partnerships (PPPs) into climate finance initiatives

5. Reporting and Management The Lead Trainer will report to the Program Manager, Agricultural Development and Commercialization (ADC) Department, Mekong Institute, and will work closely with project staff for coordination and quality assurance. 6. Application Guidelines Interested applicants should submit: 1. Updated CV highlighting relevant expertise and regional experience.

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2. A brief cover note detailing capacities to undertake the assignment and links to three samples of previously similar assignments or work related to the scope of the assignment.

3. Proposed consultancy rate (daily or lump sum) and availability.

Submission process:

• Apply via the consultant online application form:

https://forms.gle/WW6XR4JJVXA9WDes6 or click here

• Ensure that any uploaded documents are publicly accessible.
• Use the subject title: “Lead Trainer for Regional Training on Climate Finance

for Safe and Resilient Agri-Food Systems”.

• Deadline for submission: October 31, 2025

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Consultant: Lead Trainer for Regional Training on Climate Finance for Safe and Resilient Agri-Food Systems"