Climate Infrastructure Specialist

Green Climate Fund

Grade: IS-4
Deadline: 13 April 2025 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 129,400 (plus attractive benefits, that include the following allowances (as applicable)): Relocation, dependency, housing, education assistance and home country travel.

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 297 projects across 133 countries, with a total commitment of USD 16.6 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: https://www.greenclimate.fund/about/careers 
View current vacancies: https://jobs.greenclimate.fund/ 

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
The Climate Infrastructure Specialist is responsible for developing an active pipeline of transformative proposals to mobilize public investment in climate mitigation and adaptation, focusing on Infrastructure (including Transport, Energy and Water). 

S/he will be responsible for developing an active pipeline of transformative projects, project origination (technical review and structuring), implementation and portfolio management across the Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Middle East Department (DECM). This will include both funded activities and GCF Readiness proposals.  

The Specialist will work with GCF's accredited entities (with a strong focus on direct access entities), National Designated Authorities and partner organizations in developing countries, which would be critical to this role's success. The incumbent will also engage with policymakers, senior-level government officials and industry players to come to an informed judgement on the investment thesis, particularly those in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

Purpose 

- Adapt GCF procedures to enable the achievement of GCF's strategic objectives related to the public sector, including infrastructure projects in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
- Adapt industry good practices for GCF to deliver on DECM team goals to identify, design and execute innovative public sector climate investments 
- Originate, lead, and manage investment pipeline development, proposal development, execution and review, and portfolio monitoring of proposals, including Readiness, Funding Proposals, and Concept Notes, focusing on Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
- Apply the Fund's investment criteria and other policies and guidance in the review of funding proposals and, concept notes, and readiness proposals and help negotiate and structure the proposals to get the maximum impact through the GCF support;
- Applies relevant operational policies to the Funded Activity Agreement review/negotiation and post-approval process
- Supports improvement and integration of ICT tools related to pipeline and portfolio management.
- Builds and capitalizes on lessons learned and good practices to optimize the pipeline review and post-approval process.

Engagement

- Collaborate with all domain-level specialists, including but not limited to risk, legal, environment, social safeguards and gender, as well as finance within GCF to identify and develop risk mitigation strategies related to Funding Proposals and Readiness proposals and collaborate effectively with third-party advisors and consultants to ensure timely project delivery; 
- Proactively engage with leading market experts, seek market intelligence, identify climate investment trends and innovations and communicate with market and industry participants 
- Promote awareness of the Fund's offering and develop effective relationships with Accredited Entities (AEs) and to strengthen upstream engagement with the NDAs, Accredited Entities (AEs); and
- Interacts with internal stakeholders (relevant divisions) and external stakeholders (Accredited Entities) to facilitate the review of proposals and post-approval process -and to provide timely and effective action;
- Identifies opportunities to utilize GCF Readiness resources to support Direct Access Entities, in particular, to strengthen GCF proposals and pipelines
- Contributes to the development of efficient processes/procedures and dissemination towards internal/external stakeholders.
- Leads FAA negotiation/post-approval process/portfolio management

Delivery

- Deliver proposal reviews and assessments, including funding proposals, term sheets and funding activity agreements, promptly while anticipating the different requirements of the various divisions within GCF; 
- Leads on the analytical (technical review and structuring) and procedural stages of processing concept notes and funding proposals, including maintenance of the project database, across relevant stages of the GCF project cycle; 
- Close coordination with the relevant teams and the Accredited Entities to make legal arrangements and all necessary arrangements properly done for effective project implementation after approval 
- Deliver proposals for approval to the board through timely interactions with Accredited Entities, developer(s) and other stakeholders as required, as well as with interdivisional task teams of the Secretariat.
- Manages across the project cycle.

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

- Masters level in finance, MBA, CFA  or equivalent with additional studies in ESG investing, sustainable finance, climate finance  or related fields; Or a relevant Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience;
- At least 9 years of relevant work experience in climate finance, impact investment, investment advisory, and regional or international investment facilities;
- Demonstrated experience in leading and structuring investment  proposals  in the area of impact investing, ESG or climate mitigation and/or adaptation; 
- Proven track record in project management, including but not limited to design implementation; 
- Transaction appraisal and financial structuring and deal management, execution and portfolio management experience
- Experience in climate finance or developing climate finance projects in international / developing countries – particularly in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, or the Middle East is highly desirable.
- Relevant experience in an international setting;
- Experience in building and managing financial models and sensitivity tests, drafting and negotiating contracts, and drafting assessment memos for investment  committees;
- Experience identifying and managing risks associated with projects/ programs and structuring solutions which are fit for purpose;
- Understanding of the evolving landscape in climate change and international development; 
- Established track record of working within cross-functional teams to structuring, executing and closing investments;
- Passionate about delivery on time and to high quality with a focus on results;
- Solutions driven mindset;
- Ability to take initiative, embrace and adapt to change; 
- Team player who actively collaborates with peers within the team and has the ability to coach and mentor junior team members; 
- Knowledge and experience in engaging with institutional investors and financial institutions;
- Comfortable working within multicultural teams and across boundaries and ability to build and maintain relationships with private and government partners; and
- Strong written, oral, and presentation communication skills in English. This includes an ability to synthesize and explain complex issues and information in a manner that is understood by different audiences and stakeholders;
- Unquestionable integrity and adherence to the highest ethical standards. 
- Excellent business writing and presentation skills; and
- Language Requirements: Fluency in written and spoken English is required, along with proficiency in Russian and/or Arabic.

The closing date for application is 13 April 2025. Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered.

Candidates who fall short of some of the educational and experience criteria but are otherwise found suitable may be offered a position at the IS3 level

*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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Important Application Information:
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How cinfo Can Support You in the Application Process for This Position

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Sector:

Role:

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

Job type: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)

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