Description

Do you want to build a truly worthwhile career? 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. Visit www.worldbank.org.

About the Global Environment Facility (GEF)
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a family of funds dedicated to confronting biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and strains on land and ocean health. Its grants, blended financing, and policy support help developing countries address their biggest environmental priorities and adhere to international environmental conventions. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $23 billion and mobilized $129 billion in co-financing for more than 5,000 national and regional projects.

The GEF unites 186 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives.  An independently operating financial organization, the GEF is a financial mechanism for six major international environmental conventions: the Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdictions agreement, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The GEF operates two funds to support adaptation to climate change: the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF). In May 2002, the GEF Council approved the arrangements for establishment of these funds. To date, the LDCF and SCCF have provided over $2.1 billion in grant financing for over 480 adaptation projects in vulnerable developing countries. The two funds are also mandated to serve the Paris Agreement. In June 2022, the LDCF/SCCF Council approved the GEF Programming Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change for the LDCF and SCCF and Operational Improvements for July 2022 to June 2026.

The GEF Secretariat is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Climate Change Specialist to join its climate change adaptation program to support the GEF programming in developing countries to address their commitments and contributions towards UNFCCC. The ideal candidate should have a workable understanding of the complexity of the GEF partnership arrangement and of the dynamics of a complex set of GEF client countries. The candidate should have strong interpersonal skills, experience with climate change adaptation and resilience building in developing countries, along with political acumen and the capacity to work effectively on sensitive issues with senior management, the LDCF/SCCF Council and across different agencies of the GEF.

S/he will: be responsible for boosting innovative financing models in the adaptation portfolio; conduct technical reviews that ensure high quality project proposals for GEF Council approval and CEO endorsement; engage with the UNFCCC; contribute to formulation of operational policies/strategy documents of relevance to the LDCF/SCCF; coordinate with the Implementing Agencies, the Trustee and the Convention Secretariat; and report to the Council and the Convention. S/he will also provide work across regions and thematic focal areas, as required.

Duties and Accountabilities
Under the supervision of the Director of Operations and Strategy, the Senior Climate Change Specialist will have the following duties:
1. Contribute to the implementation of the GEF-8 Strategy on Climate Change Adaptation and Operational Improvement for July 2022 to June 2026, including Dedicated Programs, consultations with countries, and portfolio development.

2. Conduct in-depth, high-quality technical reviews of climate change project proposals to the LDCF/SCCF by applying agreed project review criteria and providing guidance on issues relevant to the development of successful projects, as well as and assist in the preparation of Work Programs to be presented to LDCF/SCCF Council. Contribute to the mainstreaming of climate adaptation considerations and resilience into the GEF portfolio.

3. Coordinate the effort to seek and catalyze opportunities for programming and support related to loss and damage associated with climate change impacts. Work with GEF Agencies, countries, GEF non-grant program and other partners to encourage inclusion of loss and damage financing models in projects/programs for the LDCF/SCCF, and explore synergy with the GEF Trust Fund and other sources.

4. Coordinate efforts to enhance complementarity with other climate funds and financial leverage, towards simplified and streamlined access. Participate in cross-fund efforts for joint investment planning and provide analytical inputs to help inform governing body discussions.

5. Contribute to effective coordination of GEF’s strategic engagement related to the UNFCCC and other international negotiations for the climate change, including matters related to loss and damage associated with climate change impacts. This may include UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) as well as other Convention meetings as relevant, consultations on draft guidance preparations and ensuring GEF responses.

6. Engage in donor relations activities as appropriate, including fundraising efforts to mobilize resources for the LDCF/SCCF.

7. Establish and maintain a productive dialogue with GEF Agencies and countries, providing information and guidance consistent with GEF decisions to: (i) assist small island developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries (LDCs) in the development of project proposals; (ii) support the development of programs and strategies for addressing climate change impacts, including in the context of integrated, multi-focal area projects/programs; (iii) maintain consistency with, and responsiveness to, the Convention guidance; and (iv) build synergies across GEF focal areas.

8. Support the development and delivery of Council documents and other reports.

9. Provide backstopping to GEF senior management and carry out additional technical and policy-relevant tasks as assigned.

Selection Criteria

1. Master’s degree or Ph.D. in the field of environmental and natural resources management, climate change, environmental policy, economics, or another relevant discipline.

2. At least 8 years relevant experience in addressing climate change in the context of highly climate vulnerable countries, particularly SIDS and LDCs. In depth understanding of scientific, economic, social, and political dimensions of climate change, particularly on adaptation.

3. Expertise on activities related to loss and damage associated with climate change impacts.

4. Knowledge of relevant UNFCCC negotiations and decisions. Knowledge of the global climate finance architecture, including as it relates to loss and damage associated with climate change impacts.

5. Strong knowledge of the operations of the GEF, its strategies, policies and its climate change program would be an advantage.

6. Ability to engage with a range of stakeholders, international organizations, development agencies, scientific and technical bodies, private sector entities, developing country counterparts, and civil society organizations.

7. Ability to think analytically, strategically, and programmatically.

8. Proven ability to work with and across teams, both as a team leader and team member.

9. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including ability to communicate complex issues to a wide range of audiences. Language skills is in French, Spanish, Arabic, and/or Portuguese is highly desirable.

10. Must be able to work in a multicultural environment, and also independently on complex tasks on tight deadlines.

WBG Core Competencies

Achieves results and identifies mission-driven solutions for the client
• Develops and implements solutions that show understanding of how clients and/or own work achieves results that are financially, environmentally and socially sustainable
• Shares new insights based on in-depth understanding of the client and recommends solutions for current and future needs of clients
• Holds self and team accountable for risk management and outcomes.

Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across WBG, and brings differing ideas into the forefront
•Collaborates across organizational boundaries, internally and externally with a sense of mutuality and respect
• Consistently engages others in open dialogue, brings out any conflicting viewpoints and incorporates viewpoints into solutions, giving credit where credit is due. Leverages expertise of all team members to ensure successful outcomes
• Makes choices and sets priorities with a WBG corporate perspective in mind

Develops innovative solutions with others
• Encourages and works with others to identify, incubate and implement relevant solutions
• Identifies opportunities in changing circumstances and energizes others to continuously improve, using intentional strategies to boost morale, team spirit, and productivity in context of WBG’s values and mission
• Helps others to understand problems, client needs and the underlying context

Creates, applies and shares knowledge from across and outside WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions
• Ensures systematic sharing of good practice and learning from lessons from across WBG, clients, and partners
• Is known across WBG in their subject area and is sought out by WBG colleagues to advise, peer review, or contribute to knowledge products of others
• Seeks mentoring opportunities with more experienced staff to deepen or strengthen their professional knowledge and mentors junior staff
• Builds networks across the WBG and as part of external professional groups/networks

Recommends and takes decisive action
• Applies critical thinking and seeks inputs and experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent with the WBG’s strategy
• Evaluates risk and anticipates the short- and long-term implications of decisions
• Commits to a decision and acts once it has been reached

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.