Climate Change Specialist

Climate Change Specialist

Job #:

req23869

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Climate Change

Grade:

GF

Term Duration:

3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

Local Recruitment

Location:

Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

English

Closing Date:

8/21/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

The Climate Change Group

The Climate Change Group (CCG) has as key functions to (i) propose the strategy to mainstream climate change across the WBG; (ii) support the implementation of the Bank's corporate climate commitments as expressed in the Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2025 (CCAP), IDA20, and the IBRD-IFC Capital Package; (iii) support in operationalizing key recommendations of Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs) into country engagement products and lending and non-lending operations; (iv) develop new research and tools to support mainstreaming low-carbon growth and climate resilient development; (v) manage several Climate Funds (housed in SCCFM), serve as host to the Secretariat of the Climate Investment Funds (housed in SCCCI); and (vi) mainstream knowledge, learning and innovation inside and outside the WBG, and lead high-level internal and external engagements.

Unit Context

The Strategy, Knowledge, and Outreach unit (SCCSK) within the Climate Change Group plays a key role in helping CCG both set and deliver the Bank's corporate climate mandate. The unit works closely with the CCG Leadership on: (i) developing long-term strategic engagement and CCG management; (ii) undertaking climate corporate reporting, especially around policy commitments, climate targets, results, and impacts under the WBG CCAP 2021-25, the Corporate Scorecard (CSC), IDA20, and the IBRD-IFC Global Capital Increase; (iii) overseeing the design and delivery of a CCG Knowledge, learning and Communications hub for Bank staff and management, supporting training and learning products; and (iv) managing the Climate Support Facility (CSF) Umbrella Program, a multi-donor partnership and grant-making financing mechanism to help integrate climate change considerations into development strategies, policies, and investment programs, including World Bank financed operations.

SCCSK is also managing on behalf of the Climate Change Group and the World Bank the Climate Change Knowledge Portal (https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/), which is the premier source of climate data for WBG operational teams.

Second most visited WBG website after the WDI, the World Bank Group Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CCKP) empowers climate action with fundamental climate data. Created in 2011, it serves WBG teams, country clients, and the broader global development community. CCKP data are notably found in the Country Climate and Development Reports, Resilience Rating System, and Climate and Disaster Risk Screening Tools. They also benefit sectoral vulnerability assessments (e.g., health), climate impact modeling at country and sectoral level, and analytical efforts at the project level.

About the position

The Climate Change Strategy, Knowledge & Outreach unit (SCCSK) is seeking to hire a highly motivated and qualified Climate Change Data Specialist to support the Climate Change Knowledge Portal. Under the supervision of the CCKP Task Team Leader, the Data Specialist will lead the technical and scientific development of WBG's climate data service.

The candidate will report directly to the Practice Manager, SCCSK, and will work closely with the CCKP Task Team Leader. He/she will interact regularly with staff in CCG, with World Bank Group operational staff, and a range of development partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead the technical and scientific development of the Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CCKP). Implement standards and rigorous procedures that will support the quality and integrity of the CCKP data catalogue while ensuring its continuous relevance to WBG operational needs. Assess data gaps, plan, and implement data acquisition from reputable sources. Oversee end-to-end, transparent, and consistent data processing along with rigorous management of metadata and documentation. Provide high-quality data service for a broad range of users by overseeing the maintenance of the website and anticipating critical updates to the data infrastructure. Further set the CCKP technical direction by keeping abreast of new data sources and latest trends in data management, and by conceptualizing and delivering new data products aligned with business needs.

2. Provide climate data advisory services and operational support to WBG Task Teams. Engage with WBG Teams, Country Management Units, sectoral specialists, and global partners on climate risks. Keep current on trends and impacts, appropriate data interpretation, model outputs, and climate risk screenings. Help WBG Task Teams develop critical risk assessments and design bi-lateral projects with client countries worldwide. Prepare the rigorous identification of emerging risks and changing conditions from the impacts of climate change that will affect the sustainability of investments and the development of national policies and commitments. Provide the foundational data that will inform the management of climate-smart asset portfolios, the planning of climate-smart economies and the transition to low-carbon futures.

3. Motivate and empower the CCKP team to deliver high-quality data products. Oversee a small team of consultants composed of data and climate scientists, junior analysts, and software developers. Support the team's performance by providing the necessary leadership, technical guidance and problem-solving abilities that will help them deliver their best work. Likewise, hold the team accountable for the timely delivery of relevant and insightful products. Apply strict quality assurance standards to all outputs. Identify and promptly address gaps, risks and issues related to budget and staffing, particularly issues susceptible to affect the quality, technical integrity, and reputation of the CCKP. Report regularly and escalate as needed to the CCKP Task Team Lead.

4. Build and maintain relationships with strategic partners. Liaise with World Bank Group corporate partners in the Development Economics and Information Technology Solutions Vice Presidencies to i) ensure compliance with WBG information security, technology, and data management standards; ii) leverage the WBG institutional capacity to strengthen performance and build efficiency; iii) co-develop new products aligned with the World Bank Group's mission and the overall mandate to create global public goods. Beyond the World Bank Group, develop and leverage meaningful relationships with a vast network of relevant climate research institutions, public entities, multilateral organizations, tech and data vendors that can benefit the operation and future developments of the CCKP.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree(s) with focus on climate science, economics of climate change, risks and impacts related to Climate Change.• At least 10 years of experience leading climate-related data services for scientific institutions and development organizations.• Advanced knowledge of climate data service and data production techniques. Deep understanding and first-hand experience with main actors, methodologies, standards, and processes involved in the collection, interpretation, preparation, and service of climate data.• Experience working with World Bank operational teams and good understanding of the World Bank mission and operating model.• Advanced proficiency in NCL, Panoply, Python, R, ArcGIS, Web Map Services- THREDDS, Java.• Detailed understanding of WBG information management policies and knowledge systems (standards, platforms, channels, repositories). • Experience overseeing teams, vendors, and budgets under the supervision of a Task Team Leader.• Excellent communication skills in English, great interpersonal skills, and ability to integrate multi-cultural teams. Other languages a plus.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.