Operations Analyst – Climate Finance

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Description

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IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.

Climate action is at the core of IFC’s business. In financial year 2023, IFC delivered 46% in own-account climate finance and mobilized an additional $6.8 billion. The World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan (2021 – 2025) outlines our collective response to align financial flows with the goals of the Paris Agreement (referred to as “Paris Alignment”). IFC has committed to align 85% of new operations with these goals starting July 1, 2023, and to align 100% of new operations starting July 1, 2025.

IFC’s Climate Business Department is instrumental in implementing the Climate Change Action Plan and achieving Paris Alignment. The Department’s responsibilities include supporting IFC’s investment and advisory teams in identifying climate investments, tracking committed climate finance, collaborating on IFC’s Labeled Bond Program (Green, Blue, Transition), developing analytical tools, leading climate risk management, and fostering thought leadership through publications and external partnerships. These efforts aim to scale IFC’s climate impact and prevent greenwashing.

The Climate Finance & Policy Team within this Department is tasked with mainstreaming Paris alignment in IFC’s operations, assessing climate finance in investments, aiding in structuring sustainable/green finance instruments, contributing to carbon market development, and leading climate impact measurement, including GHG accounting and financed emissions. The team also significantly contributes to climate risk assessment and reporting.

In this context, the Climate Finance & Policy Team is looking to hire an Operational Analyst to be based in Washington DC.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The Operations Analyst will be tasked with assisting the Carbon Markets team in providing guidance and support to IFC operations for their carbon credit investments and activities, and supporting the Paris Alignment of IFC investments with a focus on climate risk. The key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct industry, market and project-related research, and analyze the associated economic, financial, and technical data, to support business development, climate assessments of potential investments, thought leadership, knowledge management, presentations and communications. Synthesize this information effectively and in a form suitable to the audience.
• Monitor developments in the climate finance space, focusing on innovative products for low-carbon and climate-smart investments, climate risk mitigation, carbon finance, and resilience and adaptation finance. Share key takeaways with different stakeholders. 
• Assist in sourcing and structuring carbon credit deals, evaluating associated project risks, and contributing to financial modeling. Work with the team to guide existing and potential clients interested in engaging in the carbon credits space.
• Support the enhancement of the Climate Risk Portal, IFC’s central hub for tools assessing climate physical risks, and help procure additional tools that the institution may require for its climate business.
• Identify physical climate risk mitigation strategies and adaptation finance opportunities for IFC investments across sectors.
• Prepare detailed reports and presentations for both internal and external stakeholders. Support the team with the broader production of materials, including drafting text, editing, proofreading, coordinating with the designer, and supporting dissemination activities.
• Contribute to the enhancement of the internet and intranet pages for climate finance, Paris Alignment and carbon finance to disseminate knowledge products to internal and external stakeholders, in close collaboration with the knowledge management team.
• Contribute to developing educational series and training materials for Investment, Upstream and Advisory teams on various topics aligned with the team’s mandate.
• Engage in project management tasks, including planning, scheduling, and coordinating project activities to ensure timely completion and alignment with organizational goals.
• Support the team with procurement-related activities, including identifying relevant consulting firms or vendors, coordinating closely with the procurement team to create, maintain, and close contracts, and being the point of contact with vendors for contracting-related queries.
• Support the preparation of internal and external events, including contributing to the design of events, creating event briefs, talking points, and any related tasks that emerge.
• Undertake additional duties as needed in response to evolving team objectives and priorities.

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Environmental Science, or Engineering; a dual focus on finance and a related scientific discipline is preferred.
• At least 2 years of experience in areas related to climate, sustainable finance, carbon markets and/or development finance. Work experience in evaluating climate change adaptation aspects of investments and/or in carbon markets is preferred.
• Strong quantitative skills, with proficiency in financial analysis, financial modeling, and statistical analysis.
• Expertise in Excel. Familiarity with statistical and database software, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and climate change models and databases is a plus.
• Proven understanding of the climate sector or environmental finance markets; knowledge of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is advantageous.
• Outstanding time and project management, analytical, research, writing, and critical thinking skills. 
• Ability to engage across functional and sectoral boundaries to identify common solutions to thematic challenges.  
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and respond quickly to urgent requests and shifting priorities.
• Excellent teamwork capabilities and the ability to interact effectively with a diverse range of clients and colleagues.
• Flexibility in task management and willingness to expand professional responsibilities.
• Superior communication skills in English; additional language fluency is advantageous.
• Desire to work for global development and common good with particular focus on advancing the low carbon growth, climate change mitigation and adaptation. Experience at a Development Finance Institution focusing on the private sector capital mobilization is a plus.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=28572&site=1

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