Job Description

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

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 Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs): 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 $2.3 billion in grant financing for over 500 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 Division on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and Funds, and its climate change adaptation program to support the GEF programming in developing countries to address their climate adaptation and resilience priorities. The ideal candidate should have a good 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 and networking skills, sound understanding of the climate adaptation finance landscape, in-depth experience of 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 implementation of the programming strategy of LDCF/SCCF, support countries and partners in designing high impact climate adaptation projects and programs, establish strategic linkages with other multi-lateral and bilateral funds for coherent support to countries; conduct technical reviews that ensure high quality project proposals for LDCF/SCCF 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 and executing partners; and report to the Council and the Convention. S/he will play a pivotal role in developing the GEF-9 climate adaptation strategy for the period (2026-2030) for the LDCF/SCCF in close association with the Manager and the climate adaptation team. The candidate will also work across regions and thematic focal areas, as well as across other funds managed by the GEF Secretariat to integrate climate change adaptation in overall GEF programming. 

Key Duties and Accountabilities:
Under the supervision of the Manager of MEAs and Funds Division, 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. Coordinate programming of funds in selected countries and strategic global/regional programs. 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, and assist in the preparation of Work Programs to be presented to LDCF/SCCF Council.
3. Engage in donor relations activities, including fund raising efforts to mobilize resources. This may include developing strategic position papers and information documents and participating in strategic dialogues. 
4. Participate in the development of the GEF-9 Climate Adaptation programming strategy for the LDCF/SCCF for the period of 2022-2026. This includes coordinating consultations on certain topics with key stakeholders, donors and recipient countries and applying strategic and in-depth climate adaptation expertise to draft programming directions. 

5. Take part in effective coordination of GEF’s strategic engagement related to the UNFCCC and other international negotiations related to climate change adaptation. This may include engaging in UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties (COPs) as well as other Convention meetings and relevant consultations to follow guidance to the GEF and preparing GEF responses. 

6. Contribute to organization and smooth functioning of the LDCF/SCCF Council Meetings, including preparation of Council documents and presentations, and engagement with partners. Also support development and delivery of other reports and briefs as needed.

7. Develop high quality knowledge and communication products, representing GEF in global forums and extracting useful lessons and innovative ideas for potential replication and support by the LDCF and SCCF. 

8. Provide backstopping to GEF senior management and manager, 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, disaster risk management, climate change (adaptation), environmental policy, economics, or another relevant discipline. 

2. At least 8 years of relevant experience in addressing climate change impacts 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 adaptation backed by strong quantitative and analytical skills.

3. In-depth knowledge of climate change adaptation including global and national policies, finance, emerging technological advances and innovation, governance frameworks for effective adaptation, gender and inclusion, private sector, and capacity needs in developing countries. 

4. Knowledge of the operations of the GEF, its strategies, policies and its climate change program is a strong advantage.

5. Knowledge of relevant UNFCCC negotiations and decisions and the global climate finance architecture. Understanding the climate change links with other conventions such as CBD and UNCCD is desired.

6. Ability to think analytically, strategically and programmatically.

7. Proven ability to work with and across teams in a multicultural environment, both as a team leader and team member, and engage productively with stakeholders.

8. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including ability to communicate complex issues to a wide range of audiences. 

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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