ESG & Environmental and Social Management Consultant (C-26-14)

This is a remote position.

The International Potato Center (CIP) is strengthening its institutional approach to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Environmental and Social Management (ESM), appropriate to its mandate as an international agricultural research organization, its decentralized operating model, and the environmental and social risks associated with its research, operations, projects, partnerships and field activities.

Benchmarking with other CGIAR Centers and the CGIAR System Organization indicates ESG should not be treated solely as a sustainability reporting exercise: a credible approach also requires mechanisms to identify, assess, manage, monitor and evidence environmental and social risks across the organization and project lifecycle. CIP's approach therefore spans two complementary dimensions:

•      Institutional ESG and sustainability — CIP's own environmental, social and governance responsibilities and performance; and

•      Project-level environmental and social safeguards — risks and impacts associated with research, projects, field activities, partners, suppliers and communities.

CIP intends to build on its existing governance, enterprise risk management, project management, partner management and internal control arrangements, rather than establish a separate ESG structure. At the same time, CIP wishes to: become ready to demonstrate alignment with ISO 14001; establish a credible and proportionate ESG framework; strengthen safeguards to meet Green Climate Fund (GCF) and comparable climate-finance requirements; understand GCF requirements beyond ISO 14001; understand how far existing fiduciary and institutional systems already support GCF readiness; and build a baseline that responds efficiently to other donors

Objective:

The purpose of the consultancy is to establish where CIP is today; what target ESG and Environmental & Social Management architecture is appropriate for CIP; what gaps exist against ISO, GCF and relevant donor expectations; and what practical, proportionate steps CIP should take to close them.

The assignment is structured as three sequential phases. Phase 1 is scoped as a self-contained diagnostic and policy engagement that CIP can commission and complete on its own. Phases 2 and 3 build on Phase 1's findings and are intended to be scoped in detail — and commissioned — once Phase 1 is complete, so that their design reflects what the baseline and gap analysis actually show, rather than being fixed in advance.

This consultancy advertisement is for Phase 1 only. Phases 2 and 3 are indicative future phases and will be scoped and commissioned separately based on the findings of Phase 1.

The consultant should have demonstrated experience assessing and designing ESG and environmental and social management frameworks in international or decentralized organizations. The ideal candidate will combine technical expertise in ISO 14001, environmental and social safeguards and climate-finance requirements with the ability to translate international standards into practical and proportionate institutional arrangements.

Deliverables:

Phase 1 — Diagnose and Frame (4–6 weeks)

Establish where CIP stands today against ISO 14001, institutional ESG maturity, GCF environmental and social safeguards readiness, and broader donor requirements. Deliver a validated current-state and maturity assessment, an integrated gap analysis, a draft CIP ESG/Environmental and Social Management Policy, and a management briefing with recommendations on Phase 2/3 scope and sequencing. Phase 1 is a self-contained engagement that CIP can act independently. See Annex A for the full topic taxonomy: environmental, social and governance sub-areas).

Phase 1 Deliverables

•      D1.1 — Inception Report and Requirements Crosswalk

•      D1.2 — CIP Current-State and Maturity Assessment

•      D1.3 — Integrated Gap Analysis (ISO / ESG / GCF safeguards / broader GCF institutional map / other donors)

•      D1.4 — Draft CIP ESG / Environmental & Social Management Policy

•      D1.5 — Management briefing on findings, with a recommendation on Phase 2/3 scope and sequencing

Requirements

•         Advanced degree or equivalent professional qualification in environmental management, ESG, sustainability, environmental and social safeguards, climate finance, international development, or a related field.

·       Demonstrated experience with ISO 14001 systems and conducting ISO readiness/gap assessments.

·       At least substantive experience of 10 years with environmental and social management systems and safeguards, and strong knowledge of IFC Performance Standards or comparable MDB safeguard frameworks.

·       Familiarity with GCF environmental, social and institutional requirements, and with gender, stakeholder engagement, grievance and safeguarding requirements in international development.

·       Experience with ESG/ESMS institutional maturity assessments, policy and roadmap development, and integrating safeguards into project and partner-management processes.

•         Ability to translate international standards into proportionate operational requirements; Excellent written and spoken English, with strong facilitation and communication skills at senior-management level.

Desirable:

•      Experience with CGIAR, international agricultural research organizations, MDBs, climate-finance institutions, or similarly decentralized international organizations.

Benefits

            •         An excellent, collaborative working environment

Consultancy Duration

The initial consultancy contract will cover Phase 1 – Diagnose and Frame, for a total of 25 working days to be completed over a period of approximately 4–6 weeks. The assignment is expected to commence on or around September 21, 2026.