INTRODUCTION

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) seeks a Coordinator, Climate Change (CCC) to join the Environmental Sustainability Unit (ESU) team within the Project Department (PD). The successful candidate will be based at CDB’s headquarters in St. Michael, Barbados. 

THE UNIT

The PD develops overall Bank policies, strategies, operational guidelines and programmes for economic sector operational areas including: water, energy, agriculture, financial intermediary lending, road transport infrastructure and education.

The ESU has responsibility for developing and supporting the implementation of the operational policies, strategies and procedures for CDB’s environmental, climate and disaster risk management portfolio management and oversees compliance with these operational policies and procedures.  The Unit also conducts relevant policy, sector analytical work, related to sustainability.  The Coordinator, Climate Change is assigned to the ESU within CDB’s Projects Department.

THE ROLE

This role involves collaborating with stakeholders across the Operations Area to provide technical leadership in climate finance, project structuring, and management of the Bank’s climate action project pipeline and the climate change multilateral/vertical funds to which CDB is accredited, namely the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Adaptation Fund (AF).

The Coordinator, Climate Change will provide in-depth technical support and thought leadership to the development, implementation, and coordination of CDB’s climate change agenda  The CCC will undertake activities to: (a) address the climate change dimensions of CDB’s policies and strategies; (b) support the consideration of climate change in investment programs and projects of CDB’s clients; and (c) support CDB in mobilizing concessional climate finance for its clients; (d) lead CDB’’s capacity building and knowledge management efforts related to climate change, particularly on climate change adaptation and resilience.   

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of the Coordinator, Climate Change will include but not be limited to:

1. Work with operational units and divisions of the Bank to ensure climate resilience considerations are integrated within country strategies, country poverty assessments, CDB’s sector policies, procedures, guidelines, investment projects, and financing modalities.

2. Identify relevant sectors, market opportunities and financing modalities to assist the Bank’s investment operations to increase the Bank’s climate portfolio. 
3. Provide guidance to the design of proposed adaptation and resilience components into investment operations, including assessing climate co-benefit of projects, supporting the tracking and reporting on mitigation and adaptation finance.

4. Participate in the preparation and appraisal of technical assistance and investment projects, providing climate change related technical inputs to all stages of design, structuring, implementation throughout the project cycle. This includes assisting in determining optimal approaches to project design/delivery and identify issues which affect capacity to meet clients’ needs.

5. Lead the day-to-day management of CDB’s engagements with the two main multilateral/vertical funds to which it is accredited: the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Adaptation Fund (AF). This will include, inter alia: supporting BMCs and CDB with programme/project origination, preparation, appraisal and approval; supporting timely and effective implementation of GCF and AF-funded programmes/projects, including ensuring that CDB fulfils its reporting obligations and other Accredited Entity requirements in a timely manner; and maintaining and strengthening CDB’s overall organisational relationship with the GCF and AF.

6. Support the preparation and delivery of GCF and AF-related capacity building activities for BMCs on modalities to access and manage concessional resources from these two multilateral/vertical funds for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

7. Work with PD management to mobilise further resources to strengthen CDB’s capacity to support the development and delivery of programmes/projects co-financed by the GCF and AF.

8. Prepare relevant documents, reports and briefing notes; monitor, compile, and update policy and sector initiatives, guidelines and tools, having regard to CDB’s policies and strategies commitments, including the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, that can guide the advancement of CDB’s climate resilience programme.

1. Contribute to effective coordination of CDB’s strategic engagement related to international negotiations for the climate change as relevant including matters related to loss and damage associated with climate change impacts.

10. Provide technical inputs in the preparation of knowledge products on topics related to climate action and climate finance for internal and external clients, including management reports, publications, policy briefs, blogs, speeches, briefing notes, presentation materials and other knowledge products and knowledge sharing through seminars, workshops etc..

11. Contribute inputs to internal and external technical committee/subcommittee discussions and activities related to climate change action and climate finance.

      l. Contribute and advise on the communication of CDB’s climate change efforts to internal and external stakeholders. 

      m. Assess CDB wide capacity-building needs on climate change and lead the design and implementation of training programs for CDB management and staff to this end. 

SELECTION CRITERIA

The successful candidate should have:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in the fields of climate change, climate finance, environmental sciences, natural resource management, environmental engineering, or related discipline.

• At least of 10 years of relevant professional experience working on climate change and environmental issues particularly in climate change mitigation and adaptation, climate change policy, climate finance and project development work (originating, structuring and bringing to approval) and management, and at least 4 years of supervisory experience.

• Strong understanding of the broader climate change agenda, particularly in relation to climate change policy and strategy with a focus on developing countries particularly small island developing states

• Sound knowledge and understanding of the international negotiations on climate finance; experience in managing relations with clients, including government agencies and other key stakeholders involved in the project cycle.

• In-depth knowledge of and experience with multilateral/vertical funds (e.g. GCF, AF, etc.).

• Knowledge of multilateral development banks’ products, processes, and systems related to project/program processing and other programming activities is an asset.

Function-specific Competencies

• Ability to work collaboratively with teams as a constructive team member.

• Excellent presentation and written and oral communication skills in English is required.

• A strong understanding of the cultural and socio-economic context of particularly the Caribbean, coupled with practical experience working within the region or similar environment, is a valuable asset.

• Ability to engage with multiple stakeholders, including government, private sector and civil society.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

This is a full-time position with the successful candidate being contracted on a two-year basis in the first instance, with the possibility of renewal.  The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.  A pension plan, life and medical insurances are included in the benefits package.

Before you proceed to apply, please consider the following requirements: 

• You must be a national of one of CDB’s member countries.

• You will be required to produce evidence of any educational and professional qualifications to support your application if you are selected for an interview.

• All appointments are subject to satisfactory background checks and references.

CDB fully respects the need for confidentiality of the information supplied and assures you that we will not discuss your background and interest with anyone, including references, without your prior consent.

The deadline for submission of applications is May 8, 2024 at 11:59 pm AST. 

The Caribbean Development Bank is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, or disabilities. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Bank provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities participating in the job application or interview process. Please contact us to request such accommodation.