(Senior) Operations Officer – Climate Specialist

Contract

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(Senior) Operations Officer – Climate Specialist

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 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 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.

Climate action is at the core of IFC’s business. In fiscal year 2023, IFC delivered 46% in own-account climate finance and mobilized an additional $6.8 billion. The World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan (2021 – 2025) outlines our collective response to align financial flows with the goals of the Paris Agreement (referred to as “Paris Alignment”). IFC has committed to align 85% of new operations with these goals starting July 1, 2023, and to align 100% of new operations starting July 1, 2025.

IFC’s Climate Business Department is instrumental in implementing the Climate Change Action Plan and achieving Paris Alignment. The Department's responsibilities include supporting IFC's investment and advisory teams in identifying climate investments, tracking committed climate finance, collaborating on IFC’s Labeled Bond Program (Green, Blue, Transition), developing analytical tools, leading climate risk management, and fostering thought leadership through publications and external partnerships. These efforts aim to scale IFC's climate impact and prevent greenwashing.

The Climate Finance & Policy Team within this Department is tasked with mainstreaming Paris alignment in IFC’s operations, assessing climate finance in investments, aiding in structuring sustainable/green finance instruments, contributing to carbon market development, and leading climate impact measurement, including GHG accounting and financed emissions. The team also significantly contributes to climate risk assessment and reporting. In this context, the Climate Finance & Policy Team seeks to hire a (Senior) Operations Officer – Climate Specialist, based in Washington DC and reporting to the Global Manager of Climate Finance & Policy.

Duties & Accountabilities:

The (Senior) Operations Officer – Climate Specialist will be a core member of the Climate Finance & Policy Team and is expected to contribute to solutions and execution of the team’s overall priorities. Accountabilities may include but not be limited to the following:

Paris Alignment Implementation

• Collaborating within the Team and across departments in ensuring investments align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement through screening and assessment. This includes: • Supporting IFC teams in conducting Paris Alignment assessments of complex investments, with a focus on clients’ decarbonization strategies and transition risk management, and on creating value for clients. • Developing appropriate guidelines and tools for IFC teams and clients in high emitting sectors. • Engaging with internal and external stakeholders on the understanding and improvement of the assessment approaches and processes.

Climate Finance

• Assisting clients and investment teams in structuring and developing sustainable finance instruments, such as green bonds, green loans, sustainability-linked loans, and transition finance, tailored to clients’ business and climate commitments. • Taking the lead in developing and/or reviewing climate-related methodologies, policies and sectoral guidance. • Contributing to the dialogue with other Multilateral Development Banks on the evolution of the joint methodology to track climate finance flows.

Climate Metrics, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Supporting the internal development of GHG accounting systems and processes. • Contributing to the development of new climate metrics suitable for private investments. • Developing and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact and effectiveness of climate-related initiatives and investments.

Sectoral expertise

• Providing 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, for a range of high emitting sectors.

Process Improvement & Capacity Building

• Continuously seeking opportunities to enhance processes, methodologies, and tools related to climate finance and Paris Alignment, including by proactively identifying areas for improvement and implementing innovative solutions to drive efficiency and effectiveness. • Identifying capacity gaps within IFC and developing strategies to enhance the organization's capacity in climate finance and Paris Alignment. This may involve designing and delivering training programs, mentoring junior staff, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

Thought Leadership

• Staying abreast of emerging trends, research, and developments in the field of climate finance and Paris Alignment. • Providing thought leadership within IFC and contributing to external forums and conferences to enhance IFC’s reputation as a leader in climate finance.

Collaboration and Teamwork

• Fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment, including by promoting effective teamwork and knowledge sharing among team members.

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 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 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.

Climate action is at the core of IFC’s business. In fiscal year 2023, IFC delivered 46% in own-account climate finance and mobilized an additional $6.8 billion. The World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan (2021 – 2025) outlines our collective response to align financial flows with the goals of the Paris Agreement (referred to as “Paris Alignment”). IFC has committed to align 85% of new operations with these goals starting July 1, 2023, and to align 100% of new operations starting July 1, 2025.

IFC’s Climate Business Department is instrumental in implementing the Climate Change Action Plan and achieving Paris Alignment. The Department's responsibilities include supporting IFC's investment and advisory teams in identifying climate investments, tracking committed climate finance, collaborating on IFC’s Labeled Bond Program (Green, Blue, Transition), developing analytical tools, leading climate risk management, and fostering thought leadership through publications and external partnerships. These efforts aim to scale IFC's climate impact and prevent greenwashing.

The Climate Finance & Policy Team within this Department is tasked with mainstreaming Paris alignment in IFC’s operations, assessing climate finance in investments, aiding in structuring sustainable/green finance instruments, contributing to carbon market development, and leading climate impact measurement, including GHG accounting and financed emissions. The team also significantly contributes to climate risk assessment and reporting. In this context, the Climate Finance & Policy Team seeks to hire a (Senior) Operations Officer – Climate Specialist, based in Washington DC and reporting to the Global Manager of Climate Finance & Policy.

Duties & Accountabilities:

The (Senior) Operations Officer – Climate Specialist will be a core member of the Climate Finance & Policy Team and is expected to contribute to solutions and execution of the team’s overall priorities. Accountabilities may include but not be limited to the following:

Paris Alignment Implementation

• Collaborating within the Team and across departments in ensuring investments align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement through screening and assessment. This includes: • Supporting IFC teams in conducting Paris Alignment assessments of complex investments, with a focus on clients’ decarbonization strategies and transition risk management, and on creating value for clients. • Developing appropriate guidelines and tools for IFC teams and clients in high emitting sectors. • Engaging with internal and external stakeholders on the understanding and improvement of the assessment approaches and processes.

Climate Finance

• Assisting clients and investment teams in structuring and developing sustainable finance instruments, such as green bonds, green loans, sustainability-linked loans, and transition finance, tailored to clients’ business and climate commitments. • Taking the lead in developing and/or reviewing climate-related methodologies, policies and sectoral guidance. • Contributing to the dialogue with other Multilateral Development Banks on the evolution of the joint methodology to track climate finance flows.

Climate Metrics, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Supporting the internal development of GHG accounting systems and processes. • Contributing to the development of new climate metrics suitable for private investments. • Developing and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact and effectiveness of climate-related initiatives and investments.

Sectoral expertise

• Providing 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, for a range of high emitting sectors.

Process Improvement & Capacity Building

• Continuously seeking opportunities to enhance processes, methodologies, and tools related to climate finance and Paris Alignment, including by proactively identifying areas for improvement and implementing innovative solutions to drive efficiency and effectiveness. • Identifying capacity gaps within IFC and developing strategies to enhance the organization's capacity in climate finance and Paris Alignment. This may involve designing and delivering training programs, mentoring junior staff, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

Thought Leadership

• Staying abreast of emerging trends, research, and developments in the field of climate finance and Paris Alignment. • Providing thought leadership within IFC and contributing to external forums and conferences to enhance IFC’s reputation as a leader in climate finance.

Collaboration and Teamwork

• Fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment, including by promoting effective teamwork and knowledge sharing among team members.

Selection Criteria

To be considered for the (Senior) Operations Officer – Climate Specialist position, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Education: Hold a master's degree in a relevant field such as (sustainable) finance, business administration, environmental economics or engineering.

• Technical Expertise: Demonstrate exceptional technical skills with a minimum of 10 years of full-time relevant professional experience in the following areas: o Climate change: Possess expertise in areas such as climate change mitigation, decarbonization, GHG accounting, or climate adaptation/resilience. o Sustainable Finance: Demonstrate experience in green bonds, adaptation finance, sustainability-linked loans or other sustainable finance instruments. A strong understanding of the IFC investment cycle will be considered a significant advantage. o Sector-specific expertise: Relevant experience working directly with high emitting companies in the private sector.

• Policy and Market Knowledge: Exhibit a thorough understanding of key climate change policy and market issues, including the latest developments of the field.

• Leadership Experience: o Demonstrate a track record of leadership in driving climate-related initiaties and projects. o Showcase experience in leading teams, managing stakeholders, and influencing decision-making processes.

• Strategic & Critical Thinking: o Demonstrate the ability to think strategically and critically, and provide innovative solutions to complex climate finance challenges. o Show evidence of developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives that have had a significant impact.

• Project Management Expertise: o Demonstrate expertise in project management, including planning, organizing, and executing climate-related projects. o Showcase experience in managing budgets, resources, and timelines effectively.

• Communication: Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with fluency in other languages being an advantage.

• Team Player: o Show the ability to work collaboratively and interact effectively with clients and colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds. o Function as a team player, contributing to a positive and inclusive work environment.

To be considered for the (Senior) Operations Officer – Climate Specialist position, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Education: Hold a master's degree in a relevant field such as (sustainable) finance, business administration, environmental economics or engineering.

• Technical Expertise: Demonstrate exceptional technical skills with a minimum of 10 years of full-time relevant professional experience in the following areas: o Climate change: Possess expertise in areas such as climate change mitigation, decarbonization, GHG accounting, or climate adaptation/resilience. o Sustainable Finance: Demonstrate experience in green bonds, adaptation finance, sustainability-linked loans or other sustainable finance instruments. A strong understanding of the IFC investment cycle will be considered a significant advantage. o Sector-specific expertise: Relevant experience working directly with high emitting companies in the private sector.

• Policy and Market Knowledge: Exhibit a thorough understanding of key climate change policy and market issues, including the latest developments of the field.

• Leadership Experience: o Demonstrate a track record of leadership in driving climate-related initiaties and projects. o Showcase experience in leading teams, managing stakeholders, and influencing decision-making processes.

• Strategic & Critical Thinking: o Demonstrate the ability to think strategically and critically, and provide innovative solutions to complex climate finance challenges. o Show evidence of developing and implementing strategic plans and initiatives that have had a significant impact.

• Project Management Expertise: o Demonstrate expertise in project management, including planning, organizing, and executing climate-related projects. o Showcase experience in managing budgets, resources, and timelines effectively.

• Communication: Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with fluency in other languages being an advantage.

• Team Player: o Show the ability to work collaboratively and interact effectively with clients and colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds. o Function as a team player, contributing to a positive and inclusive work environment.

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.