Senior Operations Officer – Climate Risk & Reporting Lead

Description

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.

Climate action is at the core of IFC’s business. In fiscal year 2024, IFC delivered $9.1 billion in own-account long-term climate finance and mobilized an additional $10.2 billion. The World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan (2021 – 2025) outlines our collective response to align financial flows with the goals of the Paris Agreement (referred to as “Paris Alignment”). IFC has committed to align 85% of new operations with these goals starting July 1, 2023, and to align 100% of new operations starting July 1, 2025.

• IFC’s Climate Business Department is instrumental in implementing the Climate Change Action Plan and achieving Paris Alignment. The Department’s responsibilities include supporting IFC’s investment and advisory teams in identifying climate investments, tracking committed climate finance, collaborating on IFC’s Labeled Bond Program (Green, Blue, Transition), developing analytical tools, leading climate risk management, and fostering thought leadership through publications and external partnerships. These efforts aim to scale IFC’s climate impact and prevent greenwashing.
• The Climate Finance & Policy Team within this Department is tasked with mainstreaming Paris alignment in IFC’s operations, assessing climate finance in investments, aiding in structuring sustainable/green finance instruments, contributing to carbon market development, and leading climate impact measurement, including GHG accounting and financed emissions. The team also significantly contributes to climate risk assessment and reporting.
• In this context, the Climate Finance & Policy Team is seeking a Senior Operations Officer – Climate Risk and Reporting Lead, based in Washington, DC. This role will contribute to ongoing corporate initiatives and collaborate closely with key stakeholders across departments. The focus will be on developing IFC’s climate risk management capacity, advancing the sustainability reporting agenda, and strengthening GHG accounting.

Duties & Accountabilities

Advancing Climate Risk Management

• Represent the Climate Business Department in the internal Climate Risk Working Group, contributing to the development and implementation of a comprehensive climate risk management framework. This framework will align with industry best practices and regulatory standards, while being tailored to IFC’s unique operational context.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to integrate climate risk considerations into IFC’s strategic decision-making processes across departments.
• Monitor and assess market developments and innovations in climate risk management. Liaise with other Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) to ensure IFC maintains a leadership position in climate risk practices.
• Develop subject-matter expertise in climate risk management by engaging in continuous learning and applying best practices to IFC’s evolving needs.
• Support and advise the Climate Finance & Policy team to enhance existing procedures and systems related to climate finance, GHG Accounting, and Paris Alignment, with a focus on accuracy, operational efficiency, auditability and accountability in decision-making (ADM).

Advancing Sustainability Reporting

• Represent the Climate Business Department in the internal Sustainability Reporting Working Group, focusing on advancing climate-related sustainability reporting. Ensure IFC is well-prepared for compliance with emerging global standards such as those from the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), while addressing IFC’s specific operational requirements.
• Liaise with internal business units, World Bank Group (WBG) entities, and other MDBs/IFIs to monitor regulatory guidance on sustainability reporting. Conduct benchmarking and gap assessments to provide informed recommendations to IFC management.
• Lead project management efforts to refine and deliver IFC’s annual Climate Reporting Document, ensuring its accuracy and alignment with international best practices. Coordinate inputs from internal business units and WBG entities for aligned reporting where relevant. Oversee the third-party review process to complete the limited assurance of the climate report within required timelines.
• Prepare timely updates on climate risks for IFC’s quarterly Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) and contribute to the Disclosure Committee’s discussions prior to public disclosures. Provide quarterly climate updates for the Financial Balance Sheet Review (FBSR) and semi-annual updates for Senior Management.
• Stay informed on global trends and regulatory developments in sustainability reporting to ensure IFC’s reporting remains relevant, forward-looking, and compliant.

Leading GHG Accounting Practice

• Lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of comprehensive data collection and management systems for GHG accounting, ensuring data integrity, accuracy, and consistency across IFC’s investment portfolio.
• Oversee the enhancement of GHG emission accounting methodologies across sectors, ensuring thorough documentation and adherence to best practices. This includes both project-level and portfolio-wide emissions, aligning with international standards and reflecting the latest advancements in the field.
• Ensure rigorous quality control and assurance processes for the accuracy, credibility, and transparency of GHG data and reporting. This includes full compliance with the World Bank Group’s corporate scorecard and other reporting requirements.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to internal stakeholders, enhancing their understanding and effective application of GHG accounting principles.

Other Responsibilities

• Contribute to the leadership and management of the Climate Finance & Policy unit.
• Champion a collaborative and inclusive work culture, ensuring effective teamwork and knowledge-sharing within the Climate Finance & Policy team and across departments.
• Guide, mentor, and develop junior staff, fostering their technical and leadership skills in climate risk management, reporting and GHG accounting.
• Lead knowledge-sharing efforts and capacity-building initiatives related to climate risk management, climate-focused sustainability reporting and GHG accounting across IFC.
• Work closely with teams across IFC to ensure alignment and coordination on climate risk, reporting and GHG accounting, creating synergies that enhance operational effectiveness.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree in Finance, Business, Environmental Science, Climate Change, Sustainability, or a related field.
• A minimum of 12 years of experience in audit, risk management, or related activities, with substantial exposure to climate, sustainability reporting, or related areas, preferably within the financial sector. Demonstrated proficiency and experience in emerging market private sector investment and portfolio supervision processes.
• Proven knowledge of and experience with emerging global sustainability reporting standards, such as those from the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
• Knowledge of GHG accounting, demonstrated by (i) GHG accounting certifications, such as from the GHG Management Institute, the GHG Protocol, IPCC, or other recognized GHG Accounting Body; (ii) in-depth expertise in project-level GHG accounting, GHG emission baseline definitions, boundary setting, benchmarking; (iii) proven ability to apply international standards, such as the IFI GHG Accounting Methodologies, PCAF, and/or UNFCCC CDM Baseline Methodologies; and (iv) experience leading audit-ready quality assurance and quality control processes for GHG emission assessments at both the project and portfolio levels.
• Demonstrated experience in enhancing operational processes within the financial sector, ensuring compliance and improving efficiency is an asset.
• Proven project management and leadership skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment with team members and other colleagues across departments and functions, build networks, and guide teams and mentor staff. Ability to multi-task, and comfort with an evolving and changing work environment, while protecting independence and credibility.
• Strong communication skills, courage of convictions, and the ability to engage and influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills, and a high degree of tact and discretion in dealing with internal and external clients, staff and managers at all levels, and in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• A passion for economic and social development, ideally evidenced through experience working with a Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) or an International Financial Institution (IFI).

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=29931&site=1