SENIOR ASSOCIATE, GCF PROJECT COORDINATOR
Ecuador became a Member of GGGI in 2019. Since 2021, GGGI has been engaging with Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (MAATE) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) on climate and sustainable finance to support Ecuador´s efforts to achieve the country’s climate change mitigation and adaptation objectives, as well as its Sustainable Development Goals and Nationally Determined Contributions. To date, GGGI is supporting initiatives in the country related to:
- Implementation of adaptation planning;
- Supporting the development of a pipeline of adaptation projects;
- Designing a large-scale adaptation project to be submitted to the GCF;
- Mobilizing long-term concessional resources through innovative instruments such as thematic bonds, debt for nature swaps, green credits and taxonomy, and environmental and social risk management systems;
- Supporting the implementation, scope broadening, sustainability, communication, and scaling up of the Ecuador Zero Carbon Program;
- Boosting climate change mitigation initiatives and catalyzing the required investment to meet Ecuador’s goals.
INTRODUCTION TO GGGI
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.
Position Summary
Based in Quito, the Mitigation Senior Associate will coordinate the implementation of the GGGI-led GCF Readiness program titled “Accelerating Ecuador’s Climate Change Mitigation Initiatives with Strategic Action Plans and Investment Frameworks” and the engagement of stakeholders under the leadership of GGGI’s Adaptation Finance Officer in close consultation with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition.
The Senior Associate, acting as the GCF readiness coordinator, will be based in the premises of the country’s National Designated Authority, the Undersecretary of Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition. The Senior Associate reports to GGGI’s Adaptation Finance Officer in Ecuador and will oversee and coordinate a team of local consultants.
Purpose
Coordinate, oversee and support the following activities:
- Upon identifying prioritized targets and initiatives of Ecuador’s National Mitigation Plan (ENMP) and their implementation and governing arrangements, a stakeholder engagement strategy will be developed for prioritized stakeholders and beneficiaries.
- Develop and enhance an ENMP Action Plan for the five prioritized sectors supported by sectorial working groups (to be established).
- Enable the legal and policy mechanisms for a mandated ENMP and Action Plan implementation.
- Quantify the non-intervention costs deriving from falling to implement the prioritized mitigation measures.
- Identify the prioritized investment projects for each sector included in the ENMP Action Plan based on a prioritization methodology.
- Identify potential sources of finance and/or innovative financial instruments to implement the ENMP Action Plan.
- Support the engagement of potential agencies capable of implementing the prioritized investment projects.
- Develop an ENMP Investment Plan comprising a portfolio of prioritized investment projects.
- Contribute to resource mobilization for relevant GGGI projects and proposals related to climate action.
Engagement
- Support the engagement with MAATE and GCF on this project.
- Engage with the National Climate Change Registry to prepare a monitoring framework to track progress in implementing the ENMP and Action Plan.
- Build and maintain relations with government and relevant stakeholders including international climate funds, multilateral development banks, accredited entities, financial institutions, development agencies, and local implementation partners.
- Participate in GGGI-wide events to create awareness about GGGI Ecuador Program and activities.
- Establish periodic engagement with project steering committee.
Delivery
- Coordinate the development of an ENMP Action Plan.
- Coordinate the development of an ENMP Investment Plan for a 10-year period.
- Support coordination enhancement among stakeholders involved in the implementation of climate change mitigation measures.
- Organize and deliver capacity-building workshops.
- Lead and supervise consultants and consultancy services and outcomes.
- Support project reporting to GGGI HQ and donors.
- Develop and disseminate capacity development and knowledge-sharing products based on capacity-building gaps and needs of priority stakeholders and beneficiaries (including those from the Interinstitutional Climate Change Committee) for effective implementation of ENMP.
- Lead the organization and delivery of workshops, consultations, and meetings with key stakeholders to ensure the successful and timely development of the project.
Requirements
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, engineering, or other related fields.
- An advanced degree (Master or PhD) in renewable energy, circular economy, sustainable development, sustainable production, planning, industrial systems or other climate change mitigation sector-related field.
- Preferred 7 years of experience in climate change mitigation.
- At least 5 years of experience designing and implementing monitoring climate change mitigation systems.
- At least 1 previous experiences developing climate change mitigation planning models.
- At least 3 previous experiences developing climate change mitigation planning strategies.
- At least 1 previous experience developing investment plans for climate change mitigation measures.
- Preferred 10 years of relevant professional experience developing climate change mitigation strategies and plans is highly desirable.
- Proven experience developing funding proposals related to climate change for international funds (GEF, GCF, others) or multilateral development banks is highly desirable.
- Proven work experience in Ecuador’s public, international and academic institutions in climate change mitigation-related fields is an advantage.
- Proven experience designing and delivering capacity-building workshops is an advantage.
- 1 article published in a peer-reviewed journal on a climate change mitigation-related topic is an advantage.
- Fluent in English and Spanish (written and verbal).
Functional
- Entrepreneurial and innovative in spirit and approach, with a comprehensive understanding of the significance of green growth to developing and emerging countries, as well as a deep understanding of climate change mitigation approaches and their financial implications.
- Exceptional analytical skills, alongside strong synthesis skills
- Leadership, teamwork and creative problem-solving abilities
- Able to pick up and assimilate relevant information quickly and easily. Learns new tasks rapidly. Responds swiftly and appropriately. Can think on their feet in rapidly changing environments.
- Seeks opportunities to improve outcomes. Constantly reviews performance to identify areas of improvement.
- Capacity to deliver high-quality deliverables, understanding the counterparts’ needs, limitations and capacities.
- Excellent ability to multi-task and prioritize under stressful circumstances.
- Attention to detail, quality control and strong organizational abilities.
- Ability to interact and build relationships with high-level government officials and partners.
Corporate
- Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values.
- Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
- Excels at problem solving, ask questions and seeks support when needed, shares easily information and knowledge with others both internally as externally.
- Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport and resolves conflict easily.
- Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish, including public speaking, are essential for this position.
Working Conditions
- GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.
- The chosen candidate is expected to be based in Quito, Ecuador and will report directly to the Adaptation Finance Officer.
- This is a national position and does not include relocation benefits.
- The Mitigation Senior Associate is not expected to have additional consultancy contracts.
Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.