Senior Program Officer – GG  

Description

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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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.  For more information, visit www.worldbank.org. 
  
 

The Climate Change Group

The Climate Change Group  (CCG) has as key functions to (i) propose the strategy to mainstream climate change across the WBG; (ii) support the implementation of the Bank’s corporate climate commitments as expressed in the Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2025 (CCAP), IDA20, and the IBRD-IFC Capital Package; (iii) support in operationalizing key recommendations of Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs) into country engagement products and lending and non-lending operations; (iv) develop new research and tools to support mainstreaming low-carbon growth and climate resilient development; (v) manage three Umbrella Trust Fund Programs (i.e., Climate Support Facility-CSF, Program for Market Implementation Facility-PMIF, and Scaling Climate Action by Lowering Emissions-SCALE), in addition to other Climate Funds and (viii) mainstream knowledge, learning and innovation inside and outside the WBG, and lead high-level internal and external engagements.

The Strategy, knowledge, and Outreach Unit
The Strategy, Knowledge, and Outreach Unit (SCCSK) within the Climate Change Group plays a key role in helping CCG both set and deliver the Bank’s corporate climate mandate. The unit works closely with the CCG Leadership on: (i) developing long-term strategic engagement and CCG management; (ii) undertaking climate corporate reporting, especially around policy commitments, climate targets, results, and impacts under the WBG CCAP 2021-25, the Corporate Scorecard (CSC), IDA20, and the IBRD-IFC Global Capital Increase; (iii) overseeing the design and delivery of a CCG learning hub for Bank staff and management, supporting training and learning products; and (iv) managing the Climate Support Facility (CSF) Umbrella Program. Importantly for this position, SCCSK provides a series of shared services to the other CCG units, including support to global partnerships, advocacy, and outreach.
The Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action
The Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action (the “Coalition”) was established in April 2019 and is based around the six Helsinki Principles, which all countries endorse upon joining the Coalition. The Sustainable Development VP hosts the Secretariat for the Coalition along with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The functions of the Secretariat and the services it delivers to the Coalition at the guidance of the Coalition’s Co-Chairs are outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding, signed by the World Bank Group, the IMF, and the Coalition in 2021.

The Secretariat cooperates closely with the SD Climate Change Group and brings together people and knowledge from other groups within the World Bank in its support for the Coalition’s work.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Coalition is growing fast and is soon expected to reach 100 member countries. At the same time, members’ expectations towards deepening the Coalition’s work are growing, especially in peer exchange, knowledge sharing, capacity building and impactful policy implementation.
The senior climate finance specialist needs to have current technical knowledge of climate finance issues, private sector engagement and financial sector policies, relevant to different country circumstances. They must also be a tactful facilitator of political dialogues, hold excellent relationship and networking skills, be a strong organizer, and be able to offer strategic advice to Co-chairs and members. They will play a multifaceted role, that effectively balances technical service provision with coordinating/organizing workstreams and other coalition key activities. 

The Senior Program Officer is expected to:
• Support the design of the Coalition’s work program related to financial sector policies, private sector engagement, mobilization of green financing, blended and transition financing, and supporting the Coalition members and institutional partners (IPs).
• Lead the implementation of the Coalition’s annual work program on the issues of climate finance, particularly on the topics of private finance mobilization, nature financing, transition finance, adaptation finance, financing of NDCs and long-term strategies, and other relevant aspects of the Coalition workstreams.
• Coordinate the preparation and execution of relevant Coalition workshops.
• Lead the production and publication of Coalition’s knowledge products, papers, and policy briefs, ensuring the quality of the papers and acceptance of the content by members, and including best expertise available from partners.
• Support preparation and provide technical input into Coalition’s Ministerial Meetings at WB/IMF Annual Meetings and the COPs (climate and biodiversity), and other relevant for a
• Lead matchmaking of members’ peer learning engagements on instruments of climate finance issues, private sector engagement and financial sector policies
• Coordinate input into the monthly Deputies Meetings, monthly Newsletter, and regular communication outreach.
• Manage reporting systems including gathering data and reporting against Coalition’s output and outcome results indicators and supervise preparation of the Annual Report. 
• Engage with members and IPs and other stakeholders on key themes in Coalition’s work program to identify opportunities for deeper collaboration and impact.
• Act as a representative of the Secretariat at the request of the Co-Chairs. 
 

Selection Criteria

Minimum Education/Experience

• Possesses Master’s degree in finance, economics, or similar field relevant to the Coalition’s mission. Prior experience working directly in the finance ministry or with Coalition.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in environmental/climate finance engaging with relevant stakeholders, such as governments, private sector, multilateral development banks, multilateral and bilateral development agencies, and other organizations in sustainable finance space
• Experience designing, implementing, and facilitating events and trainings on climate finance or related topics with varied stakeholders and audiences.
• Experience writing papers, briefs and talking points on climate finance topics; having publications on the topic of environmental finance or policy is preferred.
• Coordination skills and experience liaising and coordinating with different stakeholders and groups (at the global or national level) and proven capacity to explain complex issues to various audiences.
• Ability to address a range of issues related to climate finance and its relationship to fiscal policy and sustainable development.
• Demonstrated political awareness and ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and to otherwise cultivate effective, productive client relationships/partnerships. 
• Demonstrates ability to think strategically, see the big picture, and to rapidly analyze diverse information from varied sources. 
• Demonstrates ability to manage teams, to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.
• Demonstrates ability and the necessary organizational skills to take initiative, personal ownership, and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, balance competing demands and achieve agreed-upon results.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, with publication record on the topic of climate finance

Other Selection Criteria

• Expertise in intergovernmental processes is a main competence.
• Experience working with ministries of finance/economy or other government agencies is a strong plus.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to present complex analyses to non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments and adjust to a variety of complex evolving tasks to meet tight and rolling deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to work in diverse teams, across organizational boundaries, and in multi-cultural environments.
 

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.

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