Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org
The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) were established in 2008 to provide scaled-up climate financing to developing countries to initiate transformational change towards low-carbon, climate-resilient development. Since 2008, the CIF have built a portfolio of over 300 investments in 72 developing and middle-income countries to scale up renewable energy and clean technologies, mainstream climate resilience in development plans and action, and support the sustainable management of forests. The CIF comprises of two funds, the Clean Technology Fund and the Strategic Climate Fund.
Hailed as a “landmark” initiative when announced by its founding partners in 2008, the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) was established with USD 5.5 billion in funding from nine sovereign sponsors. It has since provided USD 5 billion in loans, equity investments, guarantees and grants to contribute to the demonstration, deployment, and transfer of clean technologies in middle-income countries.
The USD 720 million Scaling Up Renewable Energy Program in Low Income Countries (SREP), under the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF), is empowering transformation in the world’s poorest countries by demonstrating the economic, social, and environmental viability of renewable energy. It supports scaled-up deployment of renewable energy solutions like solar, geothermal, and biomass to increase energy access.
In 2019, the CIF was instructed by its governing Committee to explore new areas for its ongoing work. The result was four new programs, two of which are heavily focused on clean energy-related technologies. The Integration of Renewable Energy into Power Systems Program will respond to the growing need to deal with underlying technical, operational, regulatory and financial barriers relating to RE integration. The Accelerating Low-Carbon, Climate-Resilient Transition in Industry Program will: (i) strengthen enabling environments for industry decarbonization; (ii) incentivize greater integration of climate considerations into corporates’ management frameworks and operations; (iii) increase uptake of low-carbon and climate-resilient technologies; (iv) improve energy and resource efficiency; (v) increase access to capital markets for green/climate-resilient investments; (vi) mobilize private and public capital. Both programs will be stood up and hopefully capitalized in the coming year.
The CIF Administrative Unit (AU) assists and facilitates the work of the CTF and SCF. Specifically, the CIF AU is responsible for (i) facilitating the work of the CIF governing bodies, i.e., the Trust Fund Committees (TFCs) and their Sub-Committees, (ii) managing internal and external institutional relations, (iii) supporting policy and program development, (iv) working with the MDB Committees, and (v) establishing effective systems for operational and financial management.
Duties and Accountabilities
• Lead the development and implementation of the energy-focused programs of CIF to maximize impact of their interventions.
• Coordinate CTF and SREP on operational, policy and knowledge levels as an integral part of the CIF.
• Lead the development and implementation of new Renewable Energy Integration and Industrial decarbonization programs.
• Provide strategic vision and advice on clean energy-related programs to the Head of the CIF, based on rigorous analytical work, information from the MDBs, and opportunities in the wider climate action space.
• Be up-to-date on clean energy-related operations at the investment plan and project levels.
• Organize CTF and SREP MDB Committee meetings on a regular basis to discuss issues strategic and operational issues.
• Represent the CIF at public events related to climate action and clean energy, or when the Head of the CIF is unavailable to attend as needed.
• Process projects and programs submitted by the MDBs for CTF and SREP funding approval and organize, if necessary, discussions between the MDBs and TFC members in case there are questions and concerns.
• Develop clean energy program policy and procedural documents as requested by the CIF governing bodies.
• Develop guidance documents for MDBs as needed; including guidance to the MDBs on CIF operations and the use of the MDB budget agreed upon as part of the CIF Administrative Budget.
• Liaise with MDBs on their operations to identify challenges to be addressed and opportunities or good practices to disseminate to a wider public.
• Implement decisions taken by the clean energy programs’ governing bodies and take action on agreed steps.
• Supervise clean energy program team members to execute their responsibilities.
• Support the work of the clean energy programs’ governing bodies by delivering in a timely and high-quality manner decision documents for consideration.
• Respond to inquiries from TFC members and observers as appropriate.
• Coordinate with colleagues working on cross-cutting issues relevant to the programs such as gender, results agenda, stakeholder engagement, evaluation and learning, just transition, and knowledge management.
• Lead content development for clean energy-related meetings and external events.
• Assist with fundraising efforts, when appropriate and as requested by the Head of the CIF.
• Identify and lead relevant knowledge products to be shared with the wider public.
• Work closely with the CIF communications team to identify and develop clean energy-related communications and marketing materials.
• Contribute to briefing notes and presentations as requested.
• Contribute and respond to other corporate requests as needed.
• Perform any other tasks as deemed important by the Head of the CIF.
Selection Criteria
1. A Master’s degree in International or Environmental/Sustainable Development, Energy, Finance, Policy, or Economics or equivalent with at least 8 years of relevant experience in consulting, economics, finance, government, or multilateral development bank operations.
2. Demonstrated experience in effectively managing relations with a wide range of stakeholders (Governments, international organizations, multilateral and bilateral development agencies, developing country partners, NGOs, indigenous groups, CSO, scientific and academic communities, etc).
3. In-depth understanding of the Climate Investment Funds, including the CIF business model, portfolio, key stakeholders, and CIF’s current and potential place in the climate finance architecture.
4. In-depth understanding of clean technology (solar PV, solar CSP, geothermal, wind, energy storage, energy efficiency, and sustainable transport) and energy access markets, policy, and technologies.
5. Broad understanding of the larger climate finance architecture and the position of CIF within it.
6. Sound knowledge of the broad policies and general operational processes of Multilateral Development Banks would be desirable.
7. Demonstrated political awareness and ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and to otherwise cultivate effective, productive client relationships/partnerships.
8. Excellent oral and written communications and editing skills; strong command of English; knowledge of other languages would be desirable.
9. Strong analytical skills, in particular regarding climate or energy-related data and topics.
10. Ability to deal sensitively in multicultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.
11. Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality inputs and deliverables on a tight timeline.
Competencies:
• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena – Translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies; interacts with clients at the policy level.
• Policy Dialogue Skills – Anticipates needs and requests in the field and conducts independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners.
• Integrative Skills – Understands relevant cross-sectoral areas how they are interrelated; able to undertake cross-sectoral work in lending and non-lending operations.
• Environmental Policy, Strategy and Institutions – Solid understanding of environmental policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations.
• Environmental Sciences – Deep experience applying knowledge to policy-related decisions and advice.
• Lead and Innovate with Empathy and Equity– Develops innovative solutions and empowers others to work toward common goals.
• Negotiating Skills – Work closely with diverse stakeholders from MDBs, governments, and other institutions to achieve common understand and mutual agreement on activities, outputs, and decisions.
• Deliver Results for Clients – Achieves results and identifies mission-driven solutions for the client.
• Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries – Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across WBG and brings differing ideas into the forefront.
• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge – Creates, applies and shares knowledge from across and outside WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions.
• Make Informed Decisions – Recommends and takes decisive action based on relevant evidence.
