Bioeconomy Consultant - Minagricultura

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

GENERAL INFORMATION
Project: CO038-E1-1 Just Rural Transition in Colombia – Bio Rural
Duty Station: Remote/Bogotá (Minagricultura)
Contract Duration: (10) February 2025 - (27) February 2026
Number of Workdays Estimated (internal purpose only): 259 days – deliverable based
Consultant: Level 2
Total Fees: Up to USD 26,000

PROJECT BACKGROUND
GGGI has a diverse portfolio of programs in developing countries around the world. Together with global products and services, these in-country programs focus on delivering results through an integrated approach of evidence-based green growth planning and implementation aligned to “countries” development priorities. The organization also focuses on knowledge development and management activities, which build a solid theoretical and empirical basis for green growth while providing concrete options and guidance for policymakers and creating the conditions for public and private green infrastructure investments.                             

GGGI has been working with the Government of Colombia to advance green growth policies and green investments through strategic partnerships such as with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Treasury and Public Credit, and the National Planning Department (DNP), among others. Since 2014, GGGI has supported the DNP in its objective of advancing a green growth vision and transition plan for Colombia that can help climate goals and SDGs achievement. GGGI supported the development of the Green Growth Taskforce led by DNP (2016-2018), which produced solid and relevant information for the design and concertation of the Green Growth Policy- GGP (adopted using CONPES 3934 of 2018).

One strategic axis of the GGP aims to promote the sustainable use of natural capital, which includes the Bioeconomy as one key strategy to foster the low carbon economy through adding value to generate products, processes, and services based on responsible use of biodiversity and biomass. In that regard, GGGI supported the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation - MinCiencias, the National Planning Department, and other stakeholders in the technical design and concertation of the National Bioeconomy Mission “Para una Colombia Potencia viva y diversa: hacia una Sociedad impulsada por el conocimiento”.

Besides, GGGI was awarded by the UKPACT program in 2021 Colombia to develop the project “Accelerating the development of new bioeconomy businesses and enhanced capacities for green jobs promotion and increased climate action ambition from policy implementation and integration”, in which a Bioeconomy Accelerator Mechanism was created to enhance the capacity of bioeconomy business and strengthen the capability of MinCiencias to meet their target of 126 and 500 bioproducts endorsed by 2022 and 2030, respectively: Complimentarily, a knowledge-sharing component to disseminate case studies, lessons learned, best practices, and recommendations.

GGGI with MinCiencias support, designed and launched 2019 the Bioeconomy Projects Acceleration Mechanism – MAPBIO, which aims to provide technical assistance to accelerate bioproducts in the last mile. The first call for proposals received 26 proposals evaluated through a multicriteria analysis; the mechanism supported four bioproducts. After successfully implementing MAPBIO 1.0, GGGI was awarded an extension project for scaling up MAPBIO and developing further activities with MinCiencias and INNpulsa. The current call pro proposals MAPBIO 3.0 received were focalized in the Pacific and Amazon region and received 12 submissions and selected 2. In total, we have successfully supported 20 bioproducts to contribute to the national goal of reaching 500 registered bioproducts by 2030.

In the framework of the UK PACT Bio Rural project, GGGI aims to strengthen bioeconomy governance at the national and subnational levels by fostering the adoption of regulatory advisories and governance mechanisms. A central focus of this effort is on collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Minagricultura) to advance regulatory frameworks, capacity building, and multistakeholder coordination that support the sustainable development of bioproducts and bioeconomy value chains. In this case Minagricultura plays a key role in the registration of agricultural bio inputs and other bioproducts.  

The methodology for delivering these recommendations is based on embedding a professional who will work closely with Minagricultura on the regulatory advisories. This will increase the likelihood of regulatory adoption.  

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The general objective of this consultancy is to support the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MinAgricultura) in implementing the bioeconomy components outlined in the Green Growth National Policy and the National Bioeconomy Mission. By providing technical expertise, the consultant will ensure progress towards the institution's goals related to bioeconomy governance, sustainable value chain development, and cross-cutting strategic initiatives.

The specific objectives include:

Strengthening Bioeconomy Governance:
Serve as an embedded consultant within the Ministry of Agriculture (MinAgricultura), focusing on cross-cutting functions related to bioeconomy processes and other strategic issues.
Embed bioeconomy processes into the regulatory and operational frameworks of MinAgricultura and its related entities, such as the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA).
Enhancing Regulatory Frameworks:
Support the design, coordination, and implementation of policies, projects, and programs aligned with bioeconomy objectives.
Develop and promote the adoption of regulatory advisories, to address legal and technical gaps related to bioeconomy value chains.
Provide support in the development of regulatory advisories prioritized by the Agricultural Ministry
Deliver a comprehensive legal and technical review that addresses current barriers and provides actionable recommendations for regulatory advancement.
Facilitating Cross-Institutional Coordination:
Support the articulation of efforts among MinAgricultura, the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA), and the Ministry of Environment (MinAmbiente) through technical roundtables and governance mechanisms.
Promoting Inclusivity (GESI):
Provide Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)-aware recommendations to address gaps and barriers for women, ethnic communities, victims of armed conflict, and rural populations in bioeconomy value chains.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing:
Build institutional capacities for implementing bioeconomy policies, fostering inter-agency collaboration, and facilitating stakeholder engagement.

DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
The expected outputs are the following:

(1) Work Plan

The consultant must prepare a complete work plan work plan, including objectives, metrics, timelines, and stakeholders for implementation. This document will include clearly defined objectives, metrics, timelines, and roles for all activities, as well as identifying key stakeholders and institutional priorities. It will ensure alignment with MinAgricultura’s bioeconomy goals and the broader objectives of the Green Growth National Policy and the National Bioeconomy Mission.

(2) Intra-Ministerial bioeconomy scoping report

The consultant must produce an Intra-Ministerial bioeconomy scoping report which means an assessment of the programs, projects, milestones, goals and activities related to Bioeconomy within the different divisions of MinAgricultura. This report must include the principal findings of the assessment as well as will be considered as a starting point for goals and activities articulation and creating synergies within MinAgricultura and other relevant national and regional key stakeholders.

(3) Draft regulatory advisories

The consultant will deliver a draft document that includes the first version of regulatory advisories, to address legal and technical gaps related to bioeconomy value chains. This will include a legal and technical analysis of existing regulatory frameworks, identifying gaps and providing actionable recommendations. The draft will ensure the proposed framework incorporates GESI considerations and aligns with national regulatory frameworks.

(4)  Technical Roundtables

The consultant will deliver monthly reports from technical roundtables. These reports will document key discussions, decisions, and action plans from meetings with ANLA, MinAmbiente, and MinAgricultura. They will also provide updates on progress made in harmonizing cross-institutional priorities, addressing bottlenecks, and advancing governance and regulatory initiatives.

(5) Regulatory advisories prioritized by the Agricultural Ministry

The consultant will provide detailed activities, tasks, and deliverables focused on developing regulatory advisories prioritized for the Agricultural Ministry. This work will address legal and regulatory gaps, deliver finalized draft resolutions ready for adoption, and incorporate comparative insights from regional and international frameworks to strengthen the recommendations.

(6) Capacity-building workshop materials and reports

The consultant will deliver capacity-building workshop materials and reports. These materials will detail the knowledge transfer and training activities conducted to strengthen the technical capacity of MinAgricultura staff and other stakeholders involved in bioeconomy processes.

(7) Cross-cutting support report

This report consists of a compilation document that includes the support given to MinAgricultura and GGGI project manager in terms of:

Activities and actions related to implementing the National Bioeconomy Mission and the Green Growth Policy in charge of MinAgricultura.
Support MinAgricultura in the issuance of technical concepts related to the benefit-sharing of monetary and non-monetary benefits arising from access to genetic resources and their derivatives.
Activities related to capacity building, learning sessions, and knowledge exchange events.
Participation in meetings, workshops, forums, or other spaces with public institutions, private entities, and NGOs.
Activities regarding the project monitoring and reporting on a monthly and quarterly basis to donor and GGGI, and technical explanations and evidence of output completion to present to donor/GGGI as per reporting requirements.
GESI-aware regulatory advisories tailored to MinAgricultura and ICA. These advisories will address the specific needs of bioeconomy value chains, incorporate stakeholder feedback, and propose actionable recommendations to reduce economic and technical gaps for marginalized populations.

(8) Final Report

Finally, the consultant will deliver a comprehensive final report. This report will summarize the consultancy’s outcomes, detail progress on objectives, and provide recommendations for ensuring the sustainability of bioeconomy governance and regulatory frameworks.

[Deliverables, timeline, and payments]

*  Technical Roundtables: The monthly must include reports documenting discussions, decisions, and action plans from roundtable meetings with ANLA, MinAmbiente, and MinAgricultura.

[Reporting Arrangements]

The bioeconomy consultant reports to the Sustainable Landscapes Officer under support of the Vice Ministry of Agricultural Affairs of the Agricultural Ministry. The consultant's work progress will be monitored primarily through periodic review meetings for planning and weekly short face-to-face (or virtual) meetings for prioritizing activities, all of that previous consensus with the Contract Supervisor. In this review, meetings will tackle subjects such as the overview of the contractual objectives, the development of activities, detailed information milestones, actual achievements made against the timeline initially set, and any other relevant progress details. 

Deliverables will be produced in Spanish or English, by GGGI's formatting requirements, and submitted with proof of editable file back-up (e.g., .docx, .pptx) in the GGGI SharePoint system. Additionally, the consultant will deliver one monthly brief in English explaining the activities developed the month before and for any other deliverable, if so requested by the Project Manager. Where relevant, the consultant shall also provide raw data sets, research materials, and meeting notes related to the contractual objective.

The Global Green Growth Institute ("GGGI") is committed to transparency, accountability, and openness in the organization. In case of any doubt, please refer to our Whistle Blower policy in the link:

http://gggi.org/site/assets/uploads/2017/11/Whistleblower-Policy_02072015.pdf   

Suggested methodology and competence requirements.

The consultant should follow the specific methods provided by the Contract Supervisor.
The consultant will best use both primary and secondary sources of information to develop activities defined under the contract objective.
The consultant will be responsible for providing transparent financial information regarding expenses incurred for conducting field visits, orientation meetings, webinars, or workshops.

EXPERTISE REQUIRED
(MANDATORY) Degree in Forestry Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Jurisprudence, Biology, Life Sciences, or related fields.
(MANDATORY) At least two (2) years of professional experience in bioeconomy-related related areas, biodiversity, policy-making process, and environmental sector/business, among other related topics.
(DESIRABLE) A postgraduate degree in public policy, environmental management, sustainability, or other bioeconomy-related fields.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
Exceptional analytical and quantitative skills; capacity for synthesis, presentation, and communication; and strategic thinking skills.
Organized with excellent time management.
Proven ability to work with teams and collaborate.
Ability to work well under pressure and have a flexible approach to tasks. 

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Selection method / process: Open Competition.
Timeline of the selection: Consulting starts in February
Date to close is Korean Standard Time (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered Application. CV must be sent in English. A consortium, or a firm may not be engaged for the individual consultant assignment.