Senior Counsel

Green Climate Fund

Introduction

The Green Climate Fund is the world's largest dedicated multilateral climate fund and invests in impactful, innovative, catalytic programs and projects in developing countries across the globe. The GCF has a portfolio of 286 projects across 133 countries, with a total commitment of USD 15.9 billion to date.

In 2023, an additional USD 12.8 billion was pledged, to support our new strategic and programming cycle from 2024-2027; our ambition is to grow to become at least a USD 50 billion fund by 2030. Rooted in the core objectives of impact and efficiency, access and a focus on the most vulnerable, and mobilizing a much higher scale of public and private sector financial flows for climate action we have an unparalleled scale of resources, which, together with our risk appetite and flexibility allows us to bring together different partners and stakeholders in innovative partnerships for profound impact. 

GCF is seeking a top-tier individual with a demonstrable track record of harnessing experience, energy and networks to tackle complex global climate change challenges. You will be committed to making a positive, measurable difference through a mission-driven role, and thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment.  

You will be able to quickly scan and analyze complex, competing issues and lead significant sized teams to find solutions in evolving contexts, across multiple geographic locations. 

You will be a nurturer of people: recognizing and growing the talent around you, exemplifying values of transparency, respect and innovation.

You will be committed to learning, knowledge-sharing, convening and communicating with partners to work together to ideate, develop and implement climate action initiatives that make a profound difference to people and planet.

You will join a team of talented, committed individuals representing almost 80 nationalities contributing skills and experience from academic, scientific, private, government and nonprofit backgrounds.  Together, we work with governments, communities and civil society, technical agencies, and the private sector across the world.

Interested in more information? 
Learn about working for GCF: d/about/careers 
View current vacancies: d/

About the Green Climate Fund (GCF)

Set up in 2010 by the 194 countries who are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), GCF takes its responsibility as the world's largest dedicated multilateral climate fund to heart.  GCF funds transformative climate projects across the developing world, supporting countries in their responses and actions to tackle climate change while fostering sustainable development within their communities. 

Our country-driven approach ensures that our actions are tailored to the unique circumstances and national aspirations of each nation we support. Besides channeling public and private sector investment through a broad range of financing instruments, GCF builds the capacity of developing countries to take climate action through an extensive Readiness Programme ensuring countries are increasingly well-equipped and financed to manage their climate futures.

Headquartered in the Republic of Korea, GCF operates with a diverse and talented workforce of over 300 people. 

Position Objective

Office of the General Counsel (OGC) advises the Board, the Executive Director and all operations and administrative departments of GCF, as well as the independent units, on legal matters. Its purpose is to support GCF in achieving its mission as set out in the Governing Instrument and to deliver on its Strategic Plan, in a manner consistent with GCF's legal framework while recognizing its considerable risk appetite, in order to support developing countries.

OGC provides practical, solution-oriented, and timely legal advice in order to maximize the impact of GCF interventions and safeguard the rights and interests of GCF, taking into account GCF's unique role as a catalyzer for climate action 

OGC is led by the General Counsel, and three Associate General Counsels, who together make up the OGC management team. 

The Senior Counsel ? Public Sector will (i) be responsible for providing legal advice and support relating to the drafting, reviewing and negotiating of financing agreements; conducting legal due diligence in connection with funding proposals and preparing legal advice on the interpretation of policies, contracts and other legal documents; and (ii) support the Associate General Counsel ? Public Sector in coordinating the delivery of legal support for public sector programming and mentoring the work of counsels working on public sector programming, and ensuring the quality of the work provided by OGC.

Purpose 

- Assist the Associate General Counsel ? Public Sector in the coordination of the legal work for public sector programming matters;
- Review the more advanced and complex funding proposals and legal documents required by the Fund for its operations, and ensure these are coherent with best practice and the legal framework of the Fund, and draft as well as negotiate financing agreements and other legal documents required by the Fund for its operations; 
- Conduct and review legal due diligence in connection with proposed funding structures;
- Be solution-oriented and have the ability to creatively resolve complex issues which arise from time to time in the course of projects and programmes;
- Mentor the work of counsels working on public sector programming;
- Support the Associate General Counsel ? Public Sector in the identification and implementation of efficiency measures to scale OGC programming capacity through integration of lessons learnt and best practices among international climate finance providers;
- Keep abreast of developments in the legal field especially in relation to multilateral finance; and
- Perform additional tasks as assigned by the OGC management team.

Engagement

- Build strong, collaborative and effective relationships within the GCF, and with other key internal and external stakeholders;
- Provide legal support to other divisions on matters relating to the operations of the Fund; 
- Provide legal support and advice to other colleagues within OGC;
- Participate in GCF's Board meetings and other events and meetings of the GCF, as required; and
- Perform additional tasks as assigned by the OGC management team.

Delivery

- Timely delivery of review of funding proposals and other legal documents necessary for the Fund's public sector programming;
- Applying creative solutions to issues which arise in transactions from time to time;
- Support the Associate General Counsel ? Public Sector in the delivery of public sector programming work, including providing guidance to counsels to ensure timely delivery of high-quality and practical advice;
- Support the integration of knowledge management with the provision of legal services to ensure the management of legal risk and the identification of efficiency gains throughout the organization; and
- Perform additional tasks as assigned by the OGC management team.

Requirements (Education, experience, technical competencies required of the job)

- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law. A first level university degree in law in combination with the required work experience plus two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree; 
- Qualification to practice law in at least one jurisdiction;
- At least 11 years of relevant work experience practicing law in cross-border transactions involving innovative financing, including debt and equity transactions with a well-recognized law firm, or working in-house in the private sector, an international financial institution and/or a development institution;
- Experience in the legal structuring of financial and commercial transactions and working on novel areas of law, or innovative and/or complex financial transactions is an advantage;
- Excellent legal drafting skills specifically of drafting financing and commercial agreements;
- Experience liaising with, and advising, senior members of staff; experience advising management is an advantage;
- Excellent understanding of different financial instruments and their features specifically debt, equity, grants and guarantees;
- Good understanding and experience of sovereign financing;
- Knowledge and experience of engaging with countries, institutional investors and financial institutions;
- Experience in, or working with, developing countries; 
- Emotional intelligence and values-driven work ethic; and
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential for this position; knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.
 
The closing date for application is 23 March 2025. Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered.

*The person assessed by the Selection Panel as most suitable for the position will be proposed for appointment. Selection among short-listed candidates will also take into account performance at interview, appropriate testing, and references. 

Applications from women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Sector: Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation

Role: Other

Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%

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