Technical Assistance for Philippines Hosting of Loss and Damage Fund Board

Reference: UNDP-PHL-00867 UNDP seeks to engage the services of a Consulting Firm that will collaborate closely with the Climate Change Services (CCS) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and provide technical assistance to establish the institutional, operational, and stakeholder foundations necessary for the Philippines to effectively and credibly fulfil its role as host country of the Board for the FrLD and strengthen its capacity to accelerate global funding delivery for loss and damage.

With the technical input and direction of DENR and UNDP, the Consulting Firm will deliver the following tasks: 1.

Development of the Host Country Operations Manual The primary work is to develop an inclusive Operations Manual that guides the Philippines’ inter-agency coordination and hosting arrangements for the FrLD Board, which should be aligned with international best practices, Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles and government’s policies.

This key document will strengthen the Philippines’ capacity to systematically document and communicate its internal procedural guidelines for inter-agency coordination covering areas such as visa processing, taxation, security protocols, diplomatic engagement, and administrative liaison functions.

Additionally, the Host Country Operations Manual is envisioned to inform the development of processes, operational frameworks, policies and modalities for the Fund’s strategic directions. It will also support effective outreach to local stakeholders. It includes support for the Host Country National Coordination Office / Team and coordination between the FrLD Board and its Secretariat and Philippine agencies.

1.1 Conduct necessary rapid stakeholder mapping and engagement exercises to identify key actors, mandates, coordination structures relevant to hosting operations and responsibilities of the Philippine government, including but not limited to governance and institutional arrangements, administrative and financial costs and processes, operational modalities and accountability mechanisms, among others.

1.2 Review and analyze previous experiences in hosting arrangements for the FrLD Board, both within and outside the Philippines, to extract lessons learned and inform improvements, including analysis of prerequisites on institutionalizing the Philippines’ hosting of the Board for the Fund, based on Host Country Support Checklist to be developed by the firm.

1.3 Facilitate consultative roundtable discussions, workshops, and dialogues with key agencies such as DENR, Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Finance (DOF) and stakeholders to gather inputs on procedural gaps, coordination challenges, and participation barriers, especially for women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups.

1.4 Conduct rapid benchmarking of existing national and international models and good practices for hosting similar mechanisms. The Operations Manual should consider the GEDSI principles to promote equitable, inclusive, and responsive hosting practices.

1.5 Lead the drafting, validation, and final packaging of the Operations Manual (30-40 pages), including Summary Report with assessment checklist, for consideration of the Philippine government. 2.

Formulation of a Three-Year Roadmap for Philippines Strategic Hosting Capacity Development The technical assistance focuses on long-term strategic planning and capacity development to complement the procedural guidance outlined in item 1. The three-year roadmap for building hosting capacity will define roles, timelines, and milestones for government agencies for sustained long-term capacity.

2.1 Conduct Capacity Needs Assessment Workshop. The assessment will identify priority areas for capacity building by examining existing challenges in executing hosting responsibilities, including human resources, logistics, and coordination arrangements. A tailored institutional and operational gap analysis will be undertaken to inform the development of capacity development roadmap.

Additional key informant interviews and focus group discussions will be considered, when necessary. 2.2 Design and facilitate interagency meetings/workshops and provide a structured road mapping process.

The roadmap will be organized into three annual phases (a 3-year roadmap), each with agreed goals, milestones, and GEDSI-integrated targets as well as cost requirements and financing plan to progressively build national capacity for hosting FrLD operations from foundational setup to full functionality and strategic engagement.

2.3 Deliver three (3) one day training for 20 members of the FrLD TWG for the effective hosting of the board and transitioning to hosting the fund in close coordination with the DENR and other stakeholders within the FrLD structure. The cost for the venue and meals will be covered by UNDP.

Activity Duration Location Implementing the Host Country Operations Manual 1 Day Manila Roadmapping the Philippines as Host of the FRLD Board 1 Day Manila Transitioning from Board Hosting to Fund Hosting 1 Day Manila 3.

Development of a Strategic Plan for Transitioning from Board Hosting to Fund Hosting A comprehensive strategic plan that outlines the institutional, operational, and financial steps required for the Philippines to evolve from hosting the FrLD Board to managing and hosting the FrLD funds.

This plan should: 3.1 Conduct a gap analysis of current hosting arrangements versus requirements for fund hosting (e.g., fiduciary standards, financial management systems, compliance with international fund governance). 3.2 Propose an institutional framework for fund hosting, including roles of national agencies, oversight mechanisms, and accountability systems.

3.3 Map out necessary legislative, regulatory, and diplomatic actions to enable fund hosting. 3.4 Outline financing options, cost estimates, and partnerships to support fund hosting operations. 3.5 Include risk mitigation measures and ensure Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion principles are embedded.

3.6 Provide a phased roadmap (short-, medium-, and long-term) for achieving full fund hosting capability.