Climate Finance Specialist

Climate Finance Specialist

Job #:

req24399

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:

10/6/2023 (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 Sustainable Development Practice Group:

The Sustainable Development (SD) Practice Group (PG) helps countries address their most complex challenges in the areas of Agriculture and Food, Climate Change, Environment, Natural Resources & Blue Economy, Environmental and Social Framework, Urban, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience & Land, Social Sustainability and Inclusion and Water.

The Climate Change Group:

The Climate Change Group (CCG) in the World Bank helps client countries recognize, prepare for, and respond to the risks that climate change poses. With CCG support, the Bank mobilizes the necessary public and private finance, provides technical assistance, and utilizes its convening power to support countries in their transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient development pathways.

The Climate Change Fund Management Unit:

Within the CCG, the Climate Change Funds Management Unit (SCCFM) plays a key role in activity-based climate finance (ABCF) and results-based climate finance (RBCF) and mobilizes climate finance through trust funds that deliver innovative, scalable climate and environmental action. These include: the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), Bio Carbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes (BioCF ISFL), Transformative Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF), Carbon Partnership Facility (CPF), and Carbon Initiative for Development (Ci-Dev). SCCFM also has the World Bank's implementing agency (IA) function for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR).

In addition, SCCFM manages the development and implementation of the new Umbrella Trust Fund for RBCF, the Scaling Climate Action by Lowering Emissions (SCALE) and its associated trust fund Enable - Enhancing Access to Benefits while Lowering Emissions. SCALE will pool funding from the global community and make it available for the most impactful programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. SCALE will support countries to build a track record of generating verified emissions reductions (ERs) that they can apply towards their national emission reduction targets (per their Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs) and yield excess credits that can be made available for carbon markets. SCALE is structured around three pillars: Natural Climate Solutions (e.g. REDD+), Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions (e.g. sustainable energy transition), and Fiscal and Financial Solutions (e.g. green finance).

The unit works closely with the CCG Leadership and the Bank's Senior Management and supports: (i) the development of policies, technical approaches, and instruments for mainstreaming results-based climate finance in WBG investment operations and supporting client countries access carbon markets, (ii) the Bank's regional operations and global practices for scaling-up the delivery of results-based climate finance by providing hands-on expertise to operational teams designing and implementing climate-related operations.

About the Position:

SCCFM is seeking to recruit a highly motivated Climate Finance Specialist to support the unit in integrating the climate finance within WBG operations and develop and implement Emission Reductions Crediting (ERC) programs.

The Climate Finance Specialist will serve as the ERC Specialist for the Climate Funds of the unit, working though the whole life cycle of climate finance from identifying ER potential from bank operations, helping designing ERC component for identified bank programs, and managing the ER delivery.

The Climate Finance Specialist will also provide technical support to the World Bank task teams and clients to build capacity on climate finance and carbon markets, especially Article 6 strategy and readiness.

The Climate Finance Specialist will be based in Washington, DC and will report to the SCCFM Practice Manager with his/her work program managed by related fund managers in the SCCFM unit.

Duties & Accountabilities:

The successful candidate will be expected to carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Managing the ER delivery of current ERC programs

• Manage the Emission Reductions Purchase Agreement (ERPA) and work closely with the World Bank task team to implement the ERC programs.• Provide operational guidance to task teams on the ERPA implementation process (clarifications on questions related to ERPA requirements, any issues that arise during implementation, requirements prior to ERPA payments, restructuring/ERPA amendments, etc.).• Lead the monitoring of ERPA progress on the counterpart side and have regular check-ins with the task teams. Serve as the point person on all issues related to the ERPAs and making sure that fund teams are regularly updated and consulted.• Provide guidance to the task teams on design of the MRV (monitoring, reporting and verification) system for the ERC component, review related methodologies, guide and support the task team to implement and improve the MRV system.• Coordinate verification and issuance of ERs per the ERPA terms, including preparing TORs, supporting the procurement process, and coordinating verification mission.• Coordinate and provide support to ERPA host countries for the establishment of necessary crediting and governance framework stipulated in the ERPAs.• Manage the ER transfer and payment process.

2. Support ERC program identification and design

• Assess mitigation potential of potential ERC programs, including reviewing and evaluating the program and sector information, estimation of GHG emissions using applicable methodologies and tools and the review of applicable country policies, climate change initiatives and NDC commitments.• Provide expert guidance and recommendations on designing a robust crediting program. This includes identifying key elements such as eligibility criteria, methodologies for measuring emissions reductions, and WB guidelines on Paris Alignment.• Assist in strategizing and allocating resources effectively to ensure the smooth implementation of identified ERC programs. This involves providing intelligence on government counterpart priorities and understanding of counterpart's priorities and objectives and capacity building needs related to ERC programs and participation in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.• Contribute to the development of a robust MRV system, necessary frameworks, processes, and tools for monitoring and evaluating the progress and outcomes of ERC programs.

3. Knowledge management and capacity building

• Support efforts to enhance knowledge management and capacity building related to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This may involve organizing training programs, workshops, or knowledge-sharing sessions and policy papers to build the capacity of stakeholders involved in the program.• Generate lessons learned on topics such as project design, implementation, and MRV.• Support analytical and advisory work developed in the area of climate finance and carbon market.• Participate in training and knowledge dissemination activities related to emission reductions crediting.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Master's degree(s) in environmental science, economics, energy or related to climate change. • Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience on GHG mitigation activities, preferably in infrastructure, energy, waste management and urban sectors.• Extensive knowledge and experience of UNFCCC project cycle and methodologies for GHG estimation.• Extensive experience in the design and development of crediting programs including experience with CDM projects and PoAs.• Deep understanding of MRV systems and GHG inventory.• In-depth knowledge of the Paris Agreement and its significance to SCCFM's objectives.• Experience in implementing Article 6 related framework or initiative.• Relevant work experience in developing countries is essential.• Knowledge and understanding of the WBG organization and its range of instruments (e.g., IBRD loans, IDA credits and grants) including Trust Funds would be useful.• Experience in developing or facilitating complex partnerships, ideally including between public and private parties.

Required Competencies:

• Very strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks at the same time under tight deadlines.• Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.• Ability to function effectively in multi-disciplinary teams within a matrix environment.• Ability to make informed and considered decisions in a timely manner and in ways that drive positive impact.• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, and ability to apply these skills in a practical setting, including identifying issues, presenting findings/recommendations, and contributing to resolution of evaluative challenges.• Ability to leverages external knowledge and partnerships to strengthen solutions for internal and/or external clients. • Good data analytics and computer skills, epically Excel and PowerPoints presentations.

Client orientation; Drive for results; Teamwork of collaboration and inclusion; Knowledge, learning, and communication; and Business judgment and analytical decision-making. The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in race, gender, nationality, culture, and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

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.

This internal requisition is open to WBG andIMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case anexternal candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

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.