Regional Director (2 positions)

Grade: IS-8
Deadline: 12 April 2024 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 230,900 (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: d/about/careers 
View current vacancies: d/

 

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
GCF is recruiting two Regional Directors for Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean, or Asia and the Pacific, and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.  

 

The Regional Director is a key leadership position with responsibility and accountability for all aspects of GCF’s public sector programming operations, including programming strategy, country engagement, origination, implementation, and portfolio management. The Director supervises Regional Heads, leading teams focusing on one specific region. S/he ensures coherence and quality of climate mitigation and adaptation projects and programmes across all GCF’s investment modalities throughout all phases of GCF’s investment cycle. S/he is responsible for ensuring that regional activities are in line with GCF’s strategies and policies and ensures sound portfolio management and implementation to deliver high quality climate impact results. S/he provides strategic and intellectual leadership to the regional teams and ensures smooth collaboration with the rest of the institution. S/he coordinates with the Private Sector Director to ensure coherence and alignment across the entire regional portfolio. The Director is also responsible for providing oversight to the work of the regional Heads in managing team performance, budget administration and delivery, department performance against institutional key performance indicators; tracking and reporting of results, and information flows to enhance coherence within regional teams. 

 

Engagement

• Oversees GCF programming work across the two regions to support developing countries plan and undertake country-driven and transformational climate finance.
• Oversees GCF engagement with its partnership network, including with direct access entities, and ensures GCF’s operations are in line with countries’ NDCs, NAPs and long-term strategies, and all GCF programming and operational priorities.
• Provides strategic leadership at the corporate and departmental level; engages strategically with National Designated Authorities, Accredited Entities, Delivery Partners, and high-level country representatives; and guides the Regional teams in line with the Fund’s values and strategic vision, positioning the organization as an innovative, responsive, and trusted partner.
• Represents the Fund in GCF and partner events, globally and regionally, to enhance outreach to recipient countries and regions and support delivery of GCF’s mandate; and engages in structured regional policy dialogue with government officials and other stakeholders to promote policy measures that advance development objectives.

 

Origination

• Oversees thematic and sectoral assessment of mitigation and adaptation funding in support of projects and programs for low emissions and climate resilient development. The Director provides in-depth operational experience, conceptual leadership and strategic guidance to project development, appraisal, and execution ensuring quality assurance, innovation and impact.
• Oversees coordination with relevant departments to ensure GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support and Project Preparation Facility resources are deployed effectively to build country operational and strategic capacity for climate action and develop strong GCF country programmes and investment plans, and project pipelines.
• Sets consistent operational standards to ensure the application of fiduciary policies across mitigation and adaptation strategies promptly and cost-effectively.
• Supervises regional Heads ensuring that project team leaders carry out their origination and due-diligence work in an open and efficient manner following standards established by GCF to deliver faster and better solutions in climate finance.

Portfolio Management

• Oversees portfolio implementation in the region and provides strategic portfolio insights and inputs to inform origination as well as appraisal efforts by regional teams.
• Provides institutional leadership to the design and execution of the Fund’s frameworks for monitoring and managing investment portfolios.
• Oversees the sound application of all institutional policies.
• Provides support to the relevant Secretariat Committee(s) on all programming aspects.
• Manages and provides oversight of the teams including management of employee performance, administration and delivery of budgets, and annual key performance indicators; continual improvement of processes and operations, e.g., developing/updating standard operating procedures, tracking and reporting processes and tools, and information flows to enhance coherence within the team.

 

Corporate Vision 

• Organizational Effectiveness: Improves operational efficiency, measured by process improvements or cost savings.
• Strategy: Achieves key strategic objectives in GCF strategies, including the successful execution of planned initiatives and the deployment of capital according to the 50by30 strategic objectives.
• Innovation: Fosters a culture of innovation within the organization, promoting adaptive strategies to address evolving international development issues.
• Stakeholders: Increases stakeholder satisfaction and engagement, as measured by feedback mechanisms such as surveys, and successful management of change resistance among stakeholders.

 

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

• Master’s or higher-level degree;
• 15 years or more of relevant experience including at the senior management level working in developing countries and in a multilateral programming environment;
• Deep operational expertise in terms of structuring, appraising and supervising project finance and structured finance investments. Experience with blended finance investments is an advantage.
• Broad knowledge of climate change science and policy;
• Proven track record of accomplishment in leadership positions that include country engagement, origination, and portfolio implementation and management in investments related to development and climate finance, particularly in developing countries;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders and partners, including government entities, private businesses, investors, NGOs and international organizations;
• Deep understanding of investment strategies and regional development challenges specific to the regions;
• Clear understanding of international finance regulations, compliances and protocols;
• Track record of monitoring and reporting investment portfolio performance;
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated experience in leading and motivating highly engaged and productive teams;
• Fluency in both written and spoken in English; knowledge of one or more languages relevant to the regions is desirable.

 

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, showing 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;
• Exhibits a strong ability to oversee the implementation and origination of globally dispersed projects.
  

The closing date for application is 12 April 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.

 

Right to Work in the UK: Swiss nationals (and all other non-UK employees) can work in the UK without a Visa – working at the EBRD gives all employees “exempt status”. The Bank however encourages all non-UK employees to obtain an Exempt Vignette (EV) prior to relocating to the UK, as without an EV you may face more questions at Border Control and when required to show evidence of their exempt status when renting accommodation under the Right to Rent legislation. The application process may take 3 – 4 weeks approx. outside of the UK. 

 

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