Lead Climate Finance Specialist

Lead Climate Finance Specialist

Job #:

req21515

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Climate Change

Grade:

GH

Term Duration:

3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

3/15/2023 (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).

SCCFM also 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 provide grants to developing countries as they deliver pre-agreed results in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This will support host countries, with World Bank operations, in scaling their operations to generate additional Emission Reductions (ERs). 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).

SCCFM oversees the implementation of these trust fund programs by the World Bank. It is also responsible for financial and trust fund reporting; donor relations; mobilization of other sources of finance and manages the trust fund management system for the Climate Group of the World Bank. In addition, the SCCFM's Asset Management Team (AMU) handles transactions related to carbon and financial assets, and the Finance Team (FT) manages the financial reporting functions of all the trust funds.

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 Lead Climate Finance Specialist to help lead the unit in integrating the climate funds within WBG operations and identify and implement operations synergies. The Lead Climate Finance Specialist will lead SCCFM's engagement with GPs and Regions on the development and application of climate finance and will be the team's interface with the wider WBG, and other development partners, including other MDBs and the private sector, to innovate and scale up public and private investment. The Lead Specialist will also support the Practice Manager in driving and managing the overall growing climate business.

In addition to having technical mastery of climate change, climate finance, and deep knowledge of World Bank operations, the successful candidate is expected to have a strong drive for results, as well as excellent project management, communication, and interpersonal skills. The Lead Climate Finance Specialist will be based in Washington, DC and will report directly to the SCCFM Practice Manager.

Duties & Accountabilities

• Provide strategic, technical, and operational leadership in CCG for climate finance innovation, in particular results-based climate finance, in support of the WBG's vision for scaling up action on global challenges and implementation of the WBG Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP). • Be the technical lead of the Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions Pillar and/or Fiscal and Financial Solutions Pillar of the SCALE trust fund and work in close collaboration with the relevant WB Practice Groups (PGs) such as the Infrastructure (INF) PG, Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions (EFI) PG to ensure that SCALE is designed to support the climate-related sectoral goals of the countries and is contributing to the WB analytical and financing operations in these sectors. • To support the unit in its endeavor to provide guidance to Regional and PG teams for the design, implementation, and operationalization of Emission Reduction Programs by developing methodological frameworks and guidelines, validation, and verification processes, etc. • Lead and contribute to cutting edge ASA in CCG on policies and mechanisms to mobilize climate finance, to strengthen carbon markets, and collaborate with other WBG units to undertake research and pilots on innovative structures and financial instruments. • Collaborate and join forces with all Regions, and Practice Groups, notably with SD, INF, and EFI, to maximize impact and engage in joint products in the area of climate finance, as well as with other parts of the WBG, including OPCS, Treasury, IFC and MIGA. • Build effective relationships with key external and internal partners - such as the Bank's Global Practices, Country Management Units, OPCS, IFC, MIGA, Multilateral Development Bank Groups, civil society, and media. • Represent the unit's business needs and influence policy and partnership outcomes at internal and external platforms, on behalf of the Practice Manager, when needed.• Provide tailored professional mentoring to core staff in his/her teams and to the wider team in SCCFM as appropriate. • Perform other duties and functions as assigned by the Practice Manager.

Selection Criteria

• In addition to meeting all Bank-wide Grade GH level position criteria, the candidate is expected to have a master's or Ph.D. degree in a technical field such as engineering, economics, finance, public administration, or another field relevant to climate change and climate finance, and typically the successful candidate will have 12-15 years of experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility related to the assessment of decarbonization pathways and the design and implementation of innovative investment programs. • Strong operational and analytical skills and superior client orientation developed through diverse experience working across Bank regions, GPs, and corporate units; or another MDB at senior level. • Experience of working with climate funds with proven results in terms of design and approval of projects and mobilization of donor funding. • Track record of providing advice to governments on policy and regulatory issues as well as on project preparation and transaction structuring. • High degree of team leadership skills, characterized by demonstrated track record of inclusivity, a diplomatic approach to problem-solving, energetic, and creative approaches to team building, trusted mentorship, and an ability to help teams and individuals adapt to change.• Strong focus on operational efficiency with an ability to identify and implement synergies associated with managing funds and reporting. • Demonstrated operational experience and knowledge of Bank operational policies and practices and an ability to use trust funds to increase and accelerate the impact of WBG projects. • Demonstrated in-depth experience working across practice and disciplinary boundaries and with multiple stakeholders - public, private, and civil society - in building collaborative alliances for results.• Demonstrated ability to undertake a diversity of tasks within a rapidly changing and demanding environment on short deadlines.• Strong communication, inter-personal, diplomatic, and partnership skills, including ability to write quickly and concisely to synthesize complex documentation and ideas for a range of audiences. • Demonstrated skills and experience in speaking and writing to senior management, government officials, donor partners, including in difficult environments.• Excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken. Fluency in an additional language common to the Bank would be an asset.

Required Competencies:

• Technical Leadership - Provide intellectual and technical leadership for SCCFM on the role of climate finance in sustainable transitions in the infrastructure and/or fiscal and financial sectors, bringing an integrative perspective to mainstreaming climate funds in Bank operations.• Policy and Dialogue Skills - Identifies and assesses policy issues and plays an active role in the dialogue with partner institutions, government representatives and other stakeholders.• Integrative Skills - Works to develop an integrated view across all facets of decarbonization pathways.• Client Orientation - Takes personal responsibility and accountability for timely response to external and internal client requests and needs, working to remove obstacles that impede execution or overall success. Proactively guides clients to see the possibilities in new approaches and solutions.• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Analyzes facts and data to support sound logical decision-making regarding own and others' work.• Collaborate within Teams and Across Boundaries - Clearly articulates and models expectations of collaborative behavior and recognizes collaboration and the contributions of others. • Create, Apply, and Share Knowledge - Leverages external knowledge and partnerships to strengthen solutions for internal and/or external clients. Is known across WBG and is routinely sought out by colleagues to advise, peer review, or contribute to knowledge products of others.• Make Smart Decision - Demonstrated ability to make informed and considered decisions in a timely manner and in ways that drive positive impact.• Research Temperament/Intellectual Curiosity - Has demonstrated an aptitude for research through academic studies and/or written publications and/or conferences.• Written and Verbal Communication - Delivers information effectively, including an ability to identify topical policy issues and articulate policy analysis, including in clear written form. • Deliver Results for Clients - Proactively addresses clients stated and unstated needs.• Regional Experience - Candidates must have worked in at least two world regions, or a combination of regional and corporate assignments. Field experience is strongly preferred, including in substantial client-facing operational roles.

WBG Core Competencies for all staff:

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.

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.