(Associate) Operations Officer – Climate

Contract

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(Associate) Operations Officer – Climate

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 in developing countries. In fiscal year 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC clients are diverse, spanning industries where commercial availability and readiness for climate solutions is heterogenous: from agribusiness to mining, from chemicals to ports and power, from microfinance institutions to venture capital and fixed income funds. IFC clients operate in an evolving regulatory, policy, and business context where climate action needs to go beyond the traditional areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

IFC has been working to build and scale climate action as a rigorous business case by creating markets for climate business in developing countries; expanding access to private capital and green finance; building climate capital markets; and cultivating innovative partnerships with key sectors such as climate-smart agriculture, decarbonization of heavy industry, green buildings, low-carbon cities, renewable energy and financial institutions. These activities are underpinned by the strategic framework provided by the World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) 2021-25 which aims to advance the climate change aspects of the WBG’s Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID) approach by helping governments and clients in key sectors finance their climate transitions. As part of the CCAP commitments, IFC is intensifying its efforts to scale bankable investment opportunities and mobilize private financing for urgent climate action in the energy, agriculture, food, land and water, transport, cities, and manufacturing sectors. In addition to CCAP, IFC includes the climate factor in its core license to operate through the implementation of systems and metrics to assess and monitor the alignment of each investment to the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

As part of the IFC, the Climate Business Department (CBD) works across the organization and beyond to implement the climate change action plan and mainstream climate action through industries and financial institutions in emerging markets. CBD leads climate business development in cooperation with IFC’s investment and advisory teams, and includes supporting origination of new climate related projects, identifying and accounting for climate investments, quantifying impact, tracking committed climate finance, partner with Treasury on the IFC’s Green Bond Program, develop analytical tools, lead climate risk management, and develop thought leadership via publications and external partnerships. It is in this context that the CBD is seeking to recruit an Associate/Operations Officer to be based in Washington DC and who will report to the CBD Manager.

Roles & Responsibilities: The primary role of the Associate/Operations Officer - Climate is to conduct climate assessment of IFC investments and advisory operations across regions and industries. The responsibilities, include, but are not limited to:

• Overall analytical work for the assessment of investments’ alignment to the objectives of the Paris Agreement. • Incorporate climate related considerations and their associated risks and opportunities into investment and advisory processes, as IFC pursues its “Creating Markets” strategy. • Contribute to structure new sustainable finance solutions, including green bonds, green loans and sustainability-linked loans and bonds, across industries. • Develop tools and trainings for investment teams. • Develop/enhance existing policies, procedures, protocols, and methodologies to meet urgent climate action. • Provide subject-matter expertise and quantitative analysis on sector-level climate pathways, target-setting, investment or financing activities and risk management practices, considering relevant climate policies and circumstances. • Keep abreast of the latest updates on climate science, analytical tools, databases, academic research, etc. for continually improving IFC’s climate metrics and climate data infrastructure. • Functioning effectively in a matrix organization structure, building, and maintaining strong internal relationships, particularly with investment teams, current and potential clients.

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 in developing countries. In fiscal year 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC clients are diverse, spanning industries where commercial availability and readiness for climate solutions is heterogenous: from agribusiness to mining, from chemicals to ports and power, from microfinance institutions to venture capital and fixed income funds. IFC clients operate in an evolving regulatory, policy, and business context where climate action needs to go beyond the traditional areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

IFC has been working to build and scale climate action as a rigorous business case by creating markets for climate business in developing countries; expanding access to private capital and green finance; building climate capital markets; and cultivating innovative partnerships with key sectors such as climate-smart agriculture, decarbonization of heavy industry, green buildings, low-carbon cities, renewable energy and financial institutions. These activities are underpinned by the strategic framework provided by the World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) 2021-25 which aims to advance the climate change aspects of the WBG’s Green, Resilient, and Inclusive Development (GRID) approach by helping governments and clients in key sectors finance their climate transitions. As part of the CCAP commitments, IFC is intensifying its efforts to scale bankable investment opportunities and mobilize private financing for urgent climate action in the energy, agriculture, food, land and water, transport, cities, and manufacturing sectors. In addition to CCAP, IFC includes the climate factor in its core license to operate through the implementation of systems and metrics to assess and monitor the alignment of each investment to the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

As part of the IFC, the Climate Business Department (CBD) works across the organization and beyond to implement the climate change action plan and mainstream climate action through industries and financial institutions in emerging markets. CBD leads climate business development in cooperation with IFC’s investment and advisory teams, and includes supporting origination of new climate related projects, identifying and accounting for climate investments, quantifying impact, tracking committed climate finance, partner with Treasury on the IFC’s Green Bond Program, develop analytical tools, lead climate risk management, and develop thought leadership via publications and external partnerships. It is in this context that the CBD is seeking to recruit an Associate/Operations Officer to be based in Washington DC and who will report to the CBD Manager.

Roles & Responsibilities: The primary role of the Associate/Operations Officer - Climate is to conduct climate assessment of IFC investments and advisory operations across regions and industries. The responsibilities, include, but are not limited to:

• Overall analytical work for the assessment of investments’ alignment to the objectives of the Paris Agreement. • Incorporate climate related considerations and their associated risks and opportunities into investment and advisory processes, as IFC pursues its “Creating Markets” strategy. • Contribute to structure new sustainable finance solutions, including green bonds, green loans and sustainability-linked loans and bonds, across industries. • Develop tools and trainings for investment teams. • Develop/enhance existing policies, procedures, protocols, and methodologies to meet urgent climate action. • Provide subject-matter expertise and quantitative analysis on sector-level climate pathways, target-setting, investment or financing activities and risk management practices, considering relevant climate policies and circumstances. • Keep abreast of the latest updates on climate science, analytical tools, databases, academic research, etc. for continually improving IFC’s climate metrics and climate data infrastructure. • Functioning effectively in a matrix organization structure, building, and maintaining strong internal relationships, particularly with investment teams, current and potential clients.

Selection Criteria

• Must have a Master, JD or PhD degree in any discipline but combined with undergraduate degree in a highly quantitative area such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science or engineering.

• Must have a minimum seven (7) years of professional experience, three (3) of which should be in a related climate role.

• Proven ability to connect with deal and management teams and be a team player in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience advising private companies on the risk and opportunities of climate change.

• Expertise in GHG and Impact Accounting.

• Able to mainstream climate metrics and its requirements into business and investment processes.

• Willingness and ability to travel.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Desirable expertise applying climate change science to quantitative risk management, including physical and transition risks, to industry and financial institutions.

• Desirable fluency in French or Arabic.

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.