Back Regional Head (multiple regions)

Grade: IS-7
Deadline: 29 March 2024 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 198,000 (plus attractive benefits, that include the following allowances (as applicable): Relocation, dependency, housing, education assistance and home country travel.

Introduction
The Green Climate Fund is the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund and invests in impactful, innovative, catalytic programs and projects in developing countries across the globe. By the end of 2023, GCF had a portfolio of 243 projects in 129 countries, committing a total of USD 13.5 billion to date.

In 2023, an additional USD 12.8 billion was pledged, to support our new strategic and programming cycle from 2024-2027; our ambition is to grow to become at least a USD 50 billion fund by 2030. Rooted in the core objectives of impact and efficiency, access and a focus on the most vulnerable, and mobilizing a much higher scale of public and private sector financial flows for climate action we have an unparalleled scale of resources, which, together with our risk appetite and flexibility allows us to bring together different partners and stakeholders in innovative partnerships for profound impact.

GCF is seeking a top-tier individual with a demonstrable track record of harnessing experience, energy and networks to tackle complex global climate change challenges. You will be committed to making a positive, measurable difference through a mission-driven role, and thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment.

You will be able to quickly scan and analyze complex, competing issues and lead significant sized teams to find solutions in evolving contexts, across multiple geographic locations.

You will be a nurturer of people: recognizing and growing the talent around you, exemplifying values of transparency, respect and innovation.

You will be committed to learning, knowledge-sharing, convening and communicating with partners to work together to ideate, develop and implement climate action initiatives that make a profound difference to people and planet.

You will join a team of talented, committed individuals representing almost 80 nationalities contributing skills and experience from academic, scientific, private, government and nonprofit backgrounds. Together, we work with governments, communities and civil society, technical agencies, and the private sector across the world.

Interested in more information?
Learn about working for GCF: https://www.greenclimate.fund/about/careers
View current vacancies: https://jobs.greenclimate.fund/

About the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Set up in 2010 by the 194 countries who are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), GCF takes its responsibility as the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund to heart. GCF funds transformative climate projects across the developing world, supporting countries in their responses and actions to tackle climate change while fostering sustainable development within their communities.

Our country-driven approach ensures that our actions are tailored to the unique circumstances and national aspirations of each nation we support. Besides channeling public and private sector investment through a broad range of financing instruments, GCF builds the capacity of developing countries to take climate action through an extensive Readiness Programme ensuring countries are increasingly well-equipped and financed to manage their climate futures.

Headquartered in the Republic of Korea, GCF operates with a diverse and talented workforce of over 300 people.

Position Objective
GCF is recruiting four Regional Heads, each of which will lead programming in either Africa; Latin America and the Caribbean; Asia and the Pacific; or Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.

The Regional Heads, reporting to a Regional Director, is a highly strategic and impactful management role at GCF. S/he is responsible for leading country dialogue and engagement, including support to countries in developing country programmes/programmatic initiatives which bring multiple financial institutions together. S/he is also responsible for supporting the design, implementation, and monitoring of GCF projects and programmes alongside the national designated authorities and accredited entities in the countries of the respective region, ensuring alignment with country needs while delivering expected climate impact and results. The Regional Heads develop and fosters relationships with country and regional level stakeholders and oversees the team of professionals working across the investment cycle from ideation/origination, appraisal to execution. S/he works closely with the Private Sector department on the origination and appraisal of national or private sector projects/programmes.

Engagement

• Operates as the face of GCF in the designated region. The primary responsibilities involve working with his/her team to identify country and regional needs and opportunities for climate finance, building and managing relationships with critical stakeholders, and overseeing the country engagement, portfolio origination and execution of GCF investments in close coordination with national designated authorities and accredited entities.
• Executes GCF’s investment strategy for the region, driving investment activities that align with programmatic priorities and with GCF’s strategies and policies.
• Ensures the advancement of country-led programming ambitions aligned with key priorities in national strategies, engaging with relevant partners and utilizing, as appropriate, Readiness and Preparatory Support and Project Preparation Facility resources.
• Mobilizes accredited entities and delivery partners to align with country-led climate change priorities in the context of GCF financing.
• Represents GCF in relevant events to enhance GCF outreach to recipient countries and regions.
• Represents GCF in the region and countries, communicating its mission, objectives, and activities to various stakeholders advocating for sound climate policies and practices within the government, civil society, and private sector.
• Promotes transparency and accountability in all GCF activities in the region.

  Origination

  • Oversees origination efforts and appraisal frameworks and processes that promote effective management of GCF resources and provides substantive technical expertise/supervision across all GCF results areas.
  • Supervises Project Leaders and teams that support GCF partners on strategic, methodological, and technical matters. S/he also coordinates pipeline development including internal and external clearance up to Board submission.
  • Ensures effective collaboration across project teams through the setting, monitoring and achievement of quality control processes and consistent service standards; oversees the execution of investment modalities that optimize country engagements aligning programming with Fund objectives.
  • Oversees incorporation of lessons learned from project implementation into new project origination and design by operational teams.

    Portfolio Management

    • Leads implementation and management of the GCF portfolio and takes necessary decisions to ensure sound understanding of portfolio performance and risks, efficient review of portfolio reporting, and continuous delivery of adaptive management measures.
    • Provides technical inputs relevant to portfolio management internally and to the Board and its committees, panels, and teams, through the development of policies and frameworks that promote effective implementation of GCF investments and resolve and mitigate any related challenges or risks.
    • Develops, updates and implements systems for monitoring and evaluation of the portfolio
    • against standards established to ensure portfolio implementation and deployment of
    • adaptive measures are timely and effective.

      Delivery

      • Organizational Effectiveness: Improves operational efficiency, measured by process improvements and/or cost savings.
      • Strategy: Achieves key strategic objectives in GCF strategies, including the successful execution of planned initiatives and the deployment of capital according to the 50by30 strategic objectives.
      • Innovation: Fosters a culture of innovation within the organization, promoting adaptive strategies to address evolving international development issues.
      • Stakeholders: Increases stakeholder satisfaction and engagement, as measured by feedback mechanisms such as surveys, and successful management of change resistance among stakeholders.
      • Board: Provides timely, accurate, and comprehensive Board reporting and leads implementation of Board decisions.

        Requirements (Education, experience, technical competencies required of the job)

        • Master’s or higher-level degree or its equivalent;
        • At least 15 years or more experience including at a management level in financial institutions or development organizations working in developing countries; experience in international financial institutions would be an advantage.
        • Deep operational expertise in project finance and investment from origination to implementation;
        • Broad knowledge of climate change and climate finance operations;
        • Proven track record of accomplishment in integrated climate or development finance covering some or all of country engagement, origination, project processing, and portfolio implementation and management;
        • Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to develop and manage relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders and partners, including other units in GCF, government entities, private businesses, investors, NGOs, and international organizations;
        • Understanding of international climate organizations and their programming work is an advantage;
        • Demonstrated experience in recruiting, managing, and mentoring culturally diverse and highly skilled technical teams;
        • Fluency in both written and spoken English; knowledge of one or more languages relevant to the region is an advantage.

          Competencies

          • Demonstrates competencies for vision, leadership, empowering others and managing performance, including through the following behaviors:
          • Inspires and guides teams to achieve organizational goals through effective decision-making, vision-setting, and motivation;
          • Strong communicator and collaborator. Conveys information clearly and effectively, fostering open and transparent communication within the team and across the organization;
          • Thinks strategically, analyzes complex situations, and makes informed decisions aligned with organizational objectives;
          • Builds and nurtures high-performing teams by fostering collaboration, recognizing individual strengths, and promoting a positive work environment;
          • Values all staff members’ input and expertise and shows appreciation for achievement and effort;
          • Assesses and provides ongoing performance feedback and coaching to staff;
          • Maintains high ethical standards, ensuring fairness, respect, and integrity.
            

            The closing date for application is 28 March 2024. 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 to apply.