Financing Consultant

Clean Air Asia is an international non-governmental organization leading the regional mission for better air quality and healthier, more liveable cities throughout Asia. Our mission is to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Asia and contribute to developing a more sustainable, equitable, and healthier region. We empower governments and cities by inspiring action and focusing efforts on planning and implementing solutions at scale, fostering regional cooperation to address issues of mutual concern, and ensuring the integration of air quality management across sectors and institutions. Our work focuses on implementing solutions that reduce air pollution and its detrimental health impacts and mitigate the climate crisis. We do so by providing policy guidance, building capacity, and making a compelling case for action among stakeholders at the city, national, and regional levels. Since 2008, we have been a United Nations-recognized partnership comprised of more than 250 organizations in Asia and internationally, with six Country Networks (Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam). Our headquarters are in Manila, Philippines, and we have offices in Beijing, China, and New Delhi, India.

The Role
I. BACKGROUND
Clean Air Asia is implementing the World Bank-funded
Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Philippines National Air Quality Control Action Plan
(NAQCAP) initiative to support the national government in the updating of the Integrated Air Quality Improvement Framework-National Air Quality Control Action Plan (IAQIF-NAQCAP), which have not been revised for the past 25 years. The draft of the revised policy is under review since 2024, with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) collecting more information on the evaluation of its impacts. A cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) could help determine the most efficient way to achieve a specific objective or outcome. The costs of implementing an action, project, or policy could provide insight on resources and investments required, and identifying benefits vis-à-vis the costs can further justify the need for financing.

The main objective of the study is to carry out a CEA of the Philippines' NAQCAP and identify priority measures for implementation, contributing to the achievement of improved air quality in the country. In particular, it aims to (1) enhance and further strengthen the NAQCAP; (2) facilitate its implementation through prioritization of actions; (3) identify the most cost-effective actions and drive national agencies to achieve targets; and (4) support resource mobilization for effective implementation of prioritized key actions.

The project is envisioned to complement the DENR-EMB's ongoing Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) of the Clean Air Action Plan and Framework of the Philippine Clean Air Act. Beyond its immediate scope, the project is envisioned to contribute to the adoption of a long-term policy for air quality management by the Philippine government aimed at (a) ensuring sustained air quality improvements; (b) reducing the economic and public health burden of air pollution; (c) harnessing co-benefits of climate change mitigation; and (d) enabling sustainable resource mobilization for air quality initiatives and projects.

II. OBJECTIVES
Clean Air Asia will engage a Financing Consultant to provide technical expertise in the determination of costs (resources and investments required) of implementing identified key air quality actions.

III. APPROACH
Under this engagement, the Financing Consultant will be responsible for the collection, estimation, and/or validation of the costs (resources and investments required) of implementing identified key air quality actions. The Consultant will estimate the total costs of project implementation in the context of manpower, technical, and technological needs of the government to successfully achieve the specified targets and timelines. In particular, information on the capital expenditures (CapEx), operational expenditures (OpEx) and cost savings will be collected. The costs will be determined through review of market prices, interviews with sectoral and financing experts, review of previous call for bids in the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPs), data requests to national agencies which collected the same information as part of NDC updating, and other approaches relevant for the priority actions. Methods employed and costs of mitigation measures identified in previous studies such as the USAID report on Philippines Mitigation CBA, Clean Air Asia's CBA analysis for Alternative Technologies for the Philippine Utility Jeepneys, and the Philippines' NDC Implementation Plan will be considered for applicability in the present context. For costs that would be difficult to quantify in the context of social and cultural considerations, a qualitative description will be provided based on perceived impact. Discussions on this topic would also be included in the consultations. While the work is primarily remote, participation in in-person meetings and stakeholder consultations is required.

IV. SCOPE OF WORK
Duties
Under the supervision of the Air Quality and Climate Change Science Lead, the primary duties of the Financing Consultant include, but not limited to:

• Collaborating closely with the Project Team in co-developing the deliverables for the cost-effectiveness analysis component of the project;
• Supporting and documenting outreach to stakeholders including, but not limited to, national and subnational governments, private sector, local banks and local development organizations;
• Estimating the total costs (specifying capital and operational expenditures) through time of implementing identified key air quality actions in the context of manpower, technical, and technological needs of the government to successfully achieve the specified targets and timelines;
• Identifying possible sources of funding for the components or projects related to the identified key air quality actions; and
• Providing insight into the possible economic implications (e.g., livelihood/employment, GDP, etc.) of the implementation of the identified key air quality actions; and
• Reviewing and providing feedback on the CEA report

Ideal Profile

• Advanced university degree, master or equivalent, in environmental science, sustainable development, management, economics, politics, international relations, finance or business administration (with a focus on sustainability) or a similar discipline.
• At least 7 years of experience in climate change, air quality, sustainability, environment and health, environmental policy, economic analysis, or project finance
• Prior work with government agencies, multilateral organizations, or consulting firms in the sustainability space
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing air quality, climate-related, or sector-specific projects
• Proven expertise in leading technical research across finance, climate change, and air pollution domains
• Knowledge of the global and domestic climate finance, air quality funding mechanisms, and regulatory landscapes, including multilateral climate initiatives, national environmental policies, and innovative financing instruments
• Good organizational skills, with strong experience in organizing and facilitating meetings, workshops and writing reports
• Excellent analytical skills, including experience synthesizing clear, actionable insights from a large volume of data/information
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral presentations)

What's on Offer?

• Work alongside & learn from best in class talent
• Opportunity to make a positive impact
• Flexible working options