Back Senior Restructuring Specialist - Funded Activities

Grade: IS-5
Deadline: 31 January 2023 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 128,600 net (plus attractive benefits, that include the following allowances (as appliable): Relocation, dependency, education assistance and home country travel)

Introduction
The mission of the Green Climate Fund is to assist developing countries to respond to climate change while bringing prosperity to their people. Established in 2010, the GCF invests in transformational climate projects in the developing world. The Fund makes an ambitious contribution to global climate action and channels significant financial resources into developing countries to help build low-emission and climate-resilient societies. It is country-driven and undertakes actions that reflect the circumstances of each country concerned and its national aspirations. The GCF is a key enabler of the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Since its establishment, the GCF has approved 190 projects in 123 countries and has committed USD 10 billion in climate finance. In addition, it has built up an extensive program to support developing countries to identify their needs, in particular, those who are most vulnerable to climate change impacts. The GCF’s diverse workforce is advancing its mission from its headquarters in South Korea. Our talented staff makes unique contributions to the Fund, enriching the institution through their combined expertise and professional commitment.

Position Objective
The Division of Portfolio Management (DPM) of the GCF Secretariat is organized into three workstreams: Quality assurance & monitoring and evaluation (QAME), Portfolio implementation, monitoring & management (PIMM) and Results & Data management (RDM).

The PIMM workstream plays an important role in ensuring that the portfolio of approved GCF Funded Activities is implemented efficiently and effectively, in accordance with the Fund’s policies as well as per approved terms and conditions in the respective legal agreements. PIMM is also responsible for ensuring adequate and timely reporting and assessment of implementation progress and results from the Funded Activities, as well as for proactively working with different internal and external stakeholders, including GCF interdivisional project teams (IPT), Accredited Entities (AE), Executing Entities (EE), External Fund Agents, National Designated Authorities (NDA)/ Focal Points and others, to resolve implementation challenges which may arise and to also mitigate potential or existing risks.

DPM is seeking an experienced Senior Restructuring Specialist to join the PIMM team in charge of processing restructuring proposals of Funded Activities which have been handed over to PIMM by the Division of Mitigation & Adaptation or the Division of Private Sector Facility. The incumbent is expected to play an active role in the supervision of existing restructuring specialists. As need be, the Senior Restructuring Specialist should also be prepared to assume an active role in other portfolio management activities related to Funded Activities that have been handed over, as well as closely interact with previously described stakeholders.

Under the guidance of the Portfolio Management Lead, the Senior Restructuring Specialist is expected to make crucial contributions that will lead to an efficient and effective management of Funded Activities that undergo Change Requests or Restructurings. As mentioned, s/he will also be responsible for leading the team of Restructuring Specialists and also establish a close collaboration with other Portfolio Management Specialists, as well as with Sector Specialists, risks and compliance specialists, legal counsel, environmental and social specialists and finance specialists. S/he will also contribute to and lead the establishment, review and refinement of frameworks, procedures, policies, and guidelines relevant to change requests and/or restructurings as may be required. S/he will also contribute to knowledge management products through the development of case studies, documentation of best practices and lessons learnt, including capacity building across the PIMM FA team.

Purpose

• Lead a team of restructuring specialists within the PIMM Funded Activities team of DPM and strengthen the processing of Change Requests and/or Restructurings of Funded Activities.
• Undertake the processing of complex Change Requests and/or Restructurings of Funded Activities to resolve implementation challenges and/or include adaptative management measures as required. This also includes presenting and defending Change Requests and/or Restructurings within internal committees and ultimately to the Board, as appropriate in the case of Major Changes.
• Lead the revision of documentation, including legal agreements, of Funded Activities subject to the approval of Change Requests and/or Restructurings and ensure adoption of new terms and conditions;
• Proactively engage DPM management and/or GCF senior management on appropriate corrective measures and approaches to address emerging implementation challenges in Funded Activities to enhance on site implementation with a view to achieve expected performance and results;
• Lead, coordinate and contribute to updating and improving portfolio management functions, strategies, and approaches for managing the portfolio, in particular related to strengthening and standardizing, restructuring/work-out operating procedures and processes in response to evolving and varied institutional and client needs and contexts.

  Engagement

  • Build, manage and strengthen relations with Secretariat colleagues and external stakeholders including AEs, and National Designated Authorities to ensure timely identification, guidance and resolution of implementation challenges as well as sharing of information, lessons and best practices;
  • Coordinate gathering and review of requisite information and inputs from AEs, Secretariat colleagues and committees to facilitate processing, evaluation and decisions relating to Change Requests and/or Restructuring of Funded Activities;
  • Position, represent DPM and participate in Secretariat-wide initiatives, internal committees/working
  • groups as well as represent the Fund in external engagement, including conferences and meetings in order to exchange information, best practices and lessons learnt. To this effect, the incumbent should be comfortable engaging stakeholders at different level within/outside the GCF.

    Delivery

    • Provide advice, implement and follow-up on tailored approaches to monitoring and review of Funded Activities in order to proactively identify risks and determine appropriate actions to resolve emerging problems;
    • Lead and coordinate timely internal review and assessments of Change Requests (e.g. waivers, extensions and amendments) and/or Restructurings in the Funded Activity portfolio to optimize Fund impact and ensure cost effectiveness and efficiency while managing Funded Activity risks’;
    • Contribute to the documentation of case studies to showcase successes, lessons learned and best practices to inform and improve portfolio selection, implementation and evaluation of GCF Funded Activities as well as the Fund’s responsiveness and risk mitigation measures;
    • Act as guide and mentor to junior members of the team and, including, contributing to hiring processes of consultants and interns.

      Required Experience and Qualifications

      • Advanced university degree in engineering, economics or business administration with post graduate studies in finance, business administration and/or environmental studies, or other relevant field; or a Bachelor’s degree with additional 2 years relevant experience.
      • Eleven (11) years of solid experience in working with private and public sector projects/programs; including initial structuring/design, implementation and/or restructuring. Also, solid demonstrable experience designing or restructuring agreements using the most suitable financial instruments (e.g. loans, guarantees, equity investments, project finance and grants); at least 3 of the 11 years of experience should include dealing with workouts or restructuring of projects/programs, including handling of complex cases and entailing negotiations in challenging/sensitive contexts;
      • Experience in international bi/multilateral organizations or development banks is an added advantage;
      • Exposure to climate change financing and knowledge of Fund’s working modalities is an added advantage;
      • Excellent analytical, problem-solving and negotiation skills, as well as an ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
      • Knowledge of the operational framework and fiduciary standards of bilateral/multilateral institutions;
      • Proven relationship management & interpersonal skills complemented by an ability to work in a multicultural environment and excellent ability to articulate & present ideas well both in writing & orally to a diverse audience of stakeholders at technical & strategic levels;
      • Unquestionable integrity and adherence to the highest ethical standards;
      • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential for this position; knowledge of another UN language would be an advantage.
        

        The closing date for application is 31 January 2023. Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered.

        *The person assessed by the Selection Panel as most suitable for the position will be proposed for appointment. Selection among short-listed candidates will also take into account performance at interview, appropriate testing, and references.

        Applications from women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged.