Director of Strategy, Policy and Innovation

Grade: IS-8
Deadline: 24 March 2024 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 230,900 net (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. By the end of 2023, GCF had a portfolio of 243 projects in 129 countries, committing a total of USD 13.5 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 Director of Strategy, Policy and Innovation leads under the guidance and oversight of the Chief Strategy and Impact Officer the development and execution of GCF’s strategy and policies. S/he leads the preparation process of agreed policy inputs for the GCF’s Board consideration. S/he manages a team that: develops strategy and policy; reports to GCF’s executive leadership and the Board on progress in relation to key strategic objectives and milestones; monitors and ensures that the latest information across key knowledge domains (including climate science, social and economic sciences, and megatrends) inform strategy development and implementation; and promotes policy and operational innovation throughout the organization. S/he promotes a culture of results-based innovation throughout the organization, conducting continual horizon-scanning for significant policy and operational innovations of potential value to GCF’s work and mission, and seeks to promote their application.  

Purpose

• Strategy and policy:  
  • Ensures approaches to policy and strategy formulation in GCF are informed by the latest developments in theory and practice, as well as comprehensive analysis of relevant data both internal and external. 
  • Monitors and ensures that the latest information across sciences (including climate science, social and economic sciences, and megatrends and developments) informs strategy development and implementation. 
  • Oversees the full cycle of strategy and policy development in GCF in collaboration with other relevant teams. 
  • Identifies and leads partnerships that are relevant for GCF in relation to strategy and policy development. 
• Science and innovation:  
  • Keeps abreast of latest mega-trends, scientific evidence and innovative technological and investment solutions and ensures usage in strategy and policy development as well as broad organizational awareness of opportunities related to such knowledge and information. 
  • Actively engages with GCF’s investment teams to promote adoption of latest science and innovation in the portfolio. 
  • Actively engages with GCF’s results, evaluation, knowledge and learning team to promote adoption of latest science and innovation in their respective work. 

Engagement

• Stakeholder engagement:  
  • Scans policy, strategy and innovation developments in comparator organizations to ensure GCF can draw effectively on best emerging practices at a global scale. 
  • Leads engagement with relevant organizations to support the strategy and policy development efforts in GCF. 
  • Engages with relevant internal GCF committees as well as Board processes in support of strategy and policy formulation and delivery. 

Delivery

• Policy: Develops and evolves GCF’s policy framework in accordance with guidance from the Board and executive leadership. Manages the preparation of specific policy inputs for Board review and approval. Manages the program of policy development including: communication with the Board on scheduling and development; monitoring and executing policy delivery in accordance with agreed schedules. 
• Strategic planning: Supports the CSIO in developing GCF’s high-level strategic plans.

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

• At least 15 years of relevant experience. Significant experience and track record of success in a high-level management role driving and delivering policy development, strategy development and implementation, and strategic innovation at a senior management level preferably in an international organization;  
• Track record of strategy and policy development and adoption in an organization with a core focus on international development, climate policy, or a related field; 
• Track record of using frontier knowledge and solutions to inform strategy and policy development and organizational culture; 
• Strong knowledge of international development and climate change science and social and economic implications; 
• Relevant postgraduate qualification; 
• Proven leadership experience in international development, climate policy, or a related field;  
• Deep familiarity and understanding of practice and theory in climate change and sustainable development; 
• Track record of delivering policy and operational innovation in a relevant institutional context; 
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated experience in leading and managing high performing teams;  
• Familiarity with international development, the UN system and institutions of global climate governance would be an advantage; 
• Fluency in both written and spoken English; knowledge of one or more other UN language desirable;  
• High level of commitment to values of inclusion and sustainable development.  

Competencies  

• Demonstrates the ability to formulate and articulate a compelling and forward-looking vision, aligning strategies with long-term goals;  
• Possesses exceptional communication skills and the ability to persuasively convey ideas, gaining buy-in and inspiring action from others;  
• Exhibits tact, discretion, and the ability to navigate complex interpersonal relationships, particularly in high-stakes or politically sensitive situations;  
• Encourages and embraces innovation, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances and emerging trends;  
• Leads and develops high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth;   
• Able to develop effective partnerships and engage effectively with various stakeholders, including government bodies, NGOs, and community-based organizations in promoting GCF’s strategy;  
• Maintains high ethical standards, ensuring fairness, respect, and integrity. 
   

The closing date for application is 24 March 2024. 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.