CLIMATE FINANCE ASSOCIATE

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days/month in our Washington DC or Bonn, Germany office. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission. WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

 

About the Program:

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition of countries and institutions collaborating to drive transformational climate action through sustainable development. In 2015, the world endorsed the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Nations signal their commitments to the Paris Agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – each country’s strategy to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience against the negative effects of a changing climate. The NDC Partnership brings together more than 220 countries and institutions to create and deliver on ambitious NDCs. Governments identify their NDC implementation priorities and the type of support that is needed to translate them into actionable policies and programs. Based on these requests, the membership offers a tailored package of expertise, technical assistance, and funding. This collaborative response provides developing countries with efficient access to a wide range of resources to adapt to and mitigate climate change and foster more equitable and sustainable development. The NDC Partnership is built on the premise of collective action: by acting together, we achieve more. Hosted by WRI, the UNFCCC Secretariat, and UNOPS, the NDC Partnership has members in all regions of the world, with staff in Washington DC and Bonn, Germany.

 

Job Highlight:

The NDC Partnership launched its Finance Strategy in 2022 to advance the work of the Partnership in supporting countries to use their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to mobilize finance and drive transformational investments that contribute to both sustainable development and the climate goals of the Paris Agreement.

Reporting to the Head of Climate Finance, your primary objectives are to work with NDC Partnership members to enhance and implement ambitious NDCs through the mobilization of financial and technical assistance to unlock finance for low-carbon and climate-resilient projects and programs. You will advance efforts related to the implementation and continuous improvement of the NDC Partnership Finance Strategy, including engaging with countries and development partners to mobilize support for climate finance needs, generation, and dissemination of knowledge products, and managing of projects and consultants to advance the Partnership’s mission and goals. You will work closely with the Country Engagement (CE) and Knowledge and Learning (K&L) teams of the NDC Partnership Support Unit.

 

What will you do: 

Advance the Partnership’s efforts to mobilize climate finance for member countries (55%):

 

• Lead efforts to mobilize technical and financial support to countries’ climate projects & programs, including through initiatives such as the Project Information Notes (PINs) and the Project Status Checklist
• Develop an in-depth understanding of project-related requests communicated to the Partnership with the view of mobilizing support for their implementation
• Manage the development of content for, and promotion of, knowledge tools and products on climate finance (i.e. Project Database, Climate Funds Explorer, Climate Finance Bulletin, insight briefs, policy briefs, data analysis, blogs, etc.)
• Develop and maintain a clear understanding of the landscape of climate finance, including different sources of public and private finance and strategies to leverage support to member countries’ needs.
• Develop and apply recommendations to continuously improve the implementation of the Finance Strategy through Country Engagement and Knowledge and Learning.
• Provide guidance and support to the design and implementation of internal and external finance-related initiatives that contribute to the Partnership’s Finance Strategy.
• Strategic and operational contribution to the preparation of Support Unit guiding documents, such as the Work Plan and Budget, Annual Planning, and special initiatives.
• Manage consultants, service providers, and staff as needed.

 

Outreach, engagement, and capacity building (30%):

 

• Engage and build relationships with Partnership members, financiers (public and private), project-preparation facilities, special finance initiatives, embedded advisors, climate finance-sector stakeholders (e.g., national development banks, climate finance units, etc.), and others to mobilize resources in support of project & program development and finance needs of member countries
• Provide guidance, advice, and recommendations to Government counterparts, Regional Managers, and Country Engagement Specialists (staff) on the design of sound approaches and strong requests for the effective mobilization of climate finance
• Contribute to internal and external capacity-building efforts to advance the mobilization of climate finance
• Provide guidance and strategic support to equip the Partnership with the knowledge and skills to implement the Finance Strategy, with a focus on Project/Program identification, matchmaking and intelligence on sources of finance
• Lead the planning and implementation of internal and external meetings, workshops, conferences, and convenings, with a special focus on those related to Project/Program identification, matchmaking and intelligence on sources of finance
• Represent the NDC Partnership in external meetings and events, advancing its mission and providing innovative ideas and technical guidance to programs and projects
• Link the NDC Partnership’s finance work with members’ climate finance initiatives

 

Reporting & Ad Hoc (15%):

 

• Contribute to the generation and analysis of reports, such as donor and Steering Committee reports and progress on special initiatives and climate finance efforts
• Support to the Partnership’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system, including data collection for climate finance indicators, analysis, and reporting of Partnership results
• Author, co-author, and review blog posts, presentation decks, infographics, brochures, and other online and offline communications materials
• Support other activities related to the Partnership’s work on finance

 

What will you need:

 

• Education: You have completed a bachelor’s degree in environmental or social sciences and in-depth experience and knowledge of climate and sustainable development in developing countries. A first university degree with two more years of professional experience is accepted instead of the advanced degree
• Experience: You have minimum of 7 year of experience in climate change and sustainable development in the public and/or private sectors in developing countries, including strategic planning, project/program management, and resource mobilization for climate change and sustainable development topics
• Minimum 4 years of experience in climate and sustainable finance
• Solid experience in Climate Finance and sustainable development projects, including the origination, development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and projects
• Substantive working experience in key sectors for NDC Implementation, such as energy, forestry, agriculture, transport, and infrastructure
• Experience in multi-stakeholder initiatives, management of relations with government officials, and working with donors and international organizations
• Experience organizing convenings, events (virtual and in-person), and others on climate change and climate finance topics
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure with tight deadlines
• Flexible and capable of working with minimal direction and supervision
• Strong analytical skills and proven experience in managing and implementing innovative solutions and complex projects
• Strong computer skills and experience in Microsoft suite, database management, cloud- and web-based communications
• Advanced Excel skills are required. Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills
• Languages: Fluency in English. Ability to work in French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic would be an asset
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: US Salary range is between 96K and 110 K USD. GER: 60K-81K Euros. Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. WRI offers a competitive renumeration and benefits package.

 

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with cover letter by the date of 24 April 2024. We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter. 

 

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered. 

 

What we offer:

 

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure

 

About Us:

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

 

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

 

Our mission and values:

 

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

 

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect.

 

Our culture:

 

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment; we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

 

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.