Program Officer (Climate) – GF  

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. 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 Climate Investment Funds (CIF) – one of the world’s largest multilateral funds – uses climate financing to help low and middle-income countries accelerate low-carbon, climate-resilient development. CIF supports an inclusive and just climate-smart future, focusing on diverse partnerships that de-risk green markets and unlock additional investments and financing. 

To date, 14 contributor countries have pledged over US$11 billion to CIF, leveraging an additional US$62 billion in co-financing in 72 recipient countries. Since its start, CIF has worked in the areas of clean technologies, energy access, climate resilience, and sustainable forests. And now, after identifying the next frontier of climate challenges, CIF is investing in five new areas: the transition from coal, climate-smart cities, nature-based solutions, industry decarbonization, and renewable energy integration. 

The CIF’s success is premised on a solid partnership with national governments, citizen groups and communities, private sector sponsors, the CIF governing bodies, and the five multilateral development banks that serve as co-financiers and implementing agencies of the CIF.

At the center of this collaboration is the CIF Secretariat, hosted by The World Bank which supports the work of the CIF governing bodies, including strategy and policy development as well as reporting; manages internal and external institutional relations as well as strategic partnerships; supports program development; delivers a large program of thought leadership, knowledge and learning work; is responsible for portfolio risk management and new private sector capital mobilization modalities and initiatives.

The CIF’s reputation as a pioneering and effective international climate fund has been built to a large degree through its expansive energy portfolio of more than 230 operations. 
Leading the way is the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), established with USD 7.9 billion in pledged funding from nine sovereign sponsors.  It has since provided USD 5.3 billion in loans, equity investments, guarantees and grants to contribute to the demonstration, deployment, and transfer of clean technologies in middle-income countries. It has 164 approved projects spanning investments from concentrated solar power and floating solar to district heating efficiency to battery storage installations. The aims of the CTF are to make transformational impacts in developing countries by de-risking cutting-edge technologies that can lead to significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions. 

Under the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF), the second major component of the energy portfolio is the USD 775 million Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program in Low Income Countries (SREP), which empowers transformation in the world’s poorest countries by demonstrating the economic, social, and environmental viability of renewable energy. SREP aims to boost low-carbon development pathways by creating new economic opportunities and increasing energy access through renewable energy. Its USD 779 million in resources supporting 69 operations have broken ground with geothermal power, mini-grids, and other frontiers in renewables. 

In addition to these two flagship programs, CIF recently launched a new Renewable Energy Integration (REI) Program, the first dedicated program to respond to the need to integrating growing sources of renewable power into existing power systems. Demand to participate in REI is massive, with 60 countries applying for a country or region program. The USD 300 million in resources will be used to support up to 10 countries to develop an REI investment plan.  

Management and oversight of the existing programs and development of the new program is currently executed by The Clean Energy Lead and an Energy Specialist for SREP.  The CIF energy portfolio represents the largest proportion of CIF operations and results. 
 

Roles and responsibilities:

The Program Officer (Climate) will work under the supervision of the CIF Clean Energy Lead to support the operations of the CIF energy portfolio and assist in the development of new programs. Their duties will include, but not be limited to, the following:
• Provide core operational support for the CIF energy and clean technology portfolio. Tasks will include: 
          o Coordinate CIF internal review of new project submissions, including technical analysis of energy and technology-related aspects. 
          o Liaise with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) on project submissions, ensuring processes transparency, technical accuracy, and effective stakeholder engagement.
          o Lead the preparation of Semi-Annual Reports and materials for Trust Fund Committee meetings, coordinating across relevant teams and stakeholders.
          o Draft policy documents, talking points, and other internal/external communications, ensuring clear, concise, and actionable outputs. 
          o Address policy and operational inquiries from MDB partners and Trust Fund Committee members in a timely and informed manner.
          o Lead the development and updating of the CIF Energy Project Catalog, maintaining a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of all CIF energy operations.
• Support the Clean Energy Lead in the design, development and execution of new strategic programming modalities for the Clean Technology Fund, including the design of Transformation Investment Plans and other programmatic approaches.
• Monitor and manage CTF project pipeline:
         o Monitor CTF project pipeline and maintain the CTF Resource Tracker to communicate resource availability to MDB partners. 
         o Support pipeline development through regular monitoring and collaboration with MDBs, providing insights and recommendations to ensure alignment with CIF objectives.
• Conduct in-depth research and analysis across CIF program portfolios to develop a holistic understanding of energy operations, contributing to strategic decision-making.
• Coordinate with other CIF teams to execute energy-related aspects of the MEL Policy, embedding MEL approaches in all energy operations activities to drive impact and learning. 
• Lead the development of communication products that highlight CIF’s contributions to the global energy transition, ensuring visibility of CIF’s work and impact.
• Perform additional duties as deemed appropriate by the Clean Energy Lead, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to the evolving needs of the team and stakeholders.

Selection Criteria

• Minimum of master’s degree in Economics, Environment, Energy Systems, Finance, Development or similar stream;
• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in fields of development economics, Environment, Energy or finance; clean energy and/or multilateral/development finance institution experience would be a plus;
• Minimum 2 years of experience supporting climate change mitigation or decarbonization programs;
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills;
• Excellent English communication skills (both written and verbal) to effectively articulate complex issues and solutions; 
• Technically proficient in MS Excel and other database platforms and data analysis tools.
• Strong track record of delivery with the ability to handle multiple tasks with a strong ability to prioritizing needs, produce high-quality inputs and deliverables on a tight timeline.
• Strong teamwork, flexibility, and adaptability, and ability to successfully navigate complex issues and challenges in a multi-stakeholder, multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to prioritize, work well under pressure and capably handle/juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines.
• Ability to contribute and deliver on the development and implementation of knowledge & learning, and communication strategy.

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.

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