Back Senior Dispute Resolution Specialist

Grade: IS5
Deadline: 11 October 2024 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 145,000 (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
The Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) is an accountability mechanism of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The IRM responds to complaints from people who believe they have been adversely affected by GCF projects or programmes. The IRM also accepts requests by developing countries for the reconsideration of proposals that were denied funding by the GCF Board.

The IRM has a mandate to provide advice to the Board on GCF’s operational policies and procedures based on lessons learned from our cases. In addition, there is a capacity-building and outreach mandate for strengthening the capacities of accountability and redress mechanisms of direct access entities (DAEs).

The Dispute Resolution Specialist (SDRS) will report to the Head of the IRM, and the role will require some international travel.

Dispute Resolution Function:

The IRM receives complaints from project-affected people. If a complaint is declared eligible, it may ultimately enter a problem-solving or a compliance review process.

In order to complement its team, the IRM is looking for a seasoned professional with extensive knowledge and experience resolving disputes in the context of international development projects and/or within environmental and social safeguards-related work. The successful candidate will Plan, execute, and supervise tasks regarding the handling of cases and, in particular, lead the initial steps stage, as well as the design and execution of collaborative dispute resolution processes as well as overseeing the monitoring of Dispute Resolution (DR) agreements.

Capacity-building function:

The SDRS will lead the capacity-building function of the IRM as necessary. This will include overseeing the development and preparation of materials, organizing and delivering workshops, deciding on participants and agendas, communicating with stakeholders and participants through web materials, and long-distance education. The GRAM partnership is an integral part of IRM’s capacity-building function.: GRAM partnership | Independent Redress Mechanism | Green Climate Fund

The SDRS will contribute to advisory assignments, as needed, identifying lessons learned from casework with a view to improving the performance and outcomes of GCF activities.

The SDRS will contribute to other relevant IRM initiatives, such as outreach, and will represent the IRM towards GCF stakeholders.

Purpose

• Lead the DR function and ensure full delivery of all DR related aspects.
• Optimize the initial steps stage and all aspects of Dispute Resolution in case handling and related resource allocation in close coordination with the Head of IRM. Take full ownership of the development and efficient management of processes, including all related deliverables in line with the IRM TOR/PGs/SOPs. Ensure full documentation of all related activities are in place
• Develop and update existing DR training and awareness programs in coordination with IRM personnel, Secretariat offices, and partner institutions.
• Develop, implement, and participate in monitoring activities and make policy-related recommendations where observations so warrant.
• Conceptualize suggestions to address broader concerns as part of the IRM’s advisory role.
• Propose improvements to existing procedures and to the overall working methods of the IRM, if needed.

  Engagement

  • Under the overall authority of the Head of the IRM, manage IRM DR processes and assign personnel and consultants, including their recruitment, supervision, mentoring, evaluation, and skills development. Supervise more junior staff and/or external facilitators/experts/consultants.
  • Lead the assessment of the allegations and the underlying dispute and identify the relevant stakeholders.
  • Engage with all relevant stakeholders in the context of collaborative resolution processes (dialogue facilitation, negotiation, joint fact-finding, formal mediation).
  • Lead on the preparation of procedural and substantive communications pertaining to DR reviews to the Ethics and Audit Committee (EAC), the Board, and external partners.
  • Liaise with GCF counterparts and professional networks.
  • Coordinate effectively with a variety of external stakeholders including other financial institutions if necessary to elaborate on collaboration in DR processes in jointly financed projects.
  • Liaise with and provide regular reports on DR activities to the Head of the IRM.
  • Carry out functions in a way that protects the IRM’s credibility and supports the IRM Head in identifying lessons learned.
    

    Delivery

    • Prioritize and plan the use of resources and budget to achieve required outputs and results.
    • Prepare and/or supervise the formulation of detailed DR agreements. moreover, reports that will be submitted to the GCF secretariat, the EAC, and any other relevant authority as prescribed in applicable GCF Policies.
    • Lead the development and implementation of monitoring activities in relation to DR agreements.
    • Prepare statistics and information for reporting to the EAC and the GCF Board on the performance and outcomes of the DR and monitoring function.
    • Contributes to the preparation of periodic progress reports to the Board, the EAC and the general public.
    • Contribute to the regular reporting of the IRM.

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

      Education

      • Master’s degree in a subject relevant to conflict resolution, compliance, law, public administration, social sciences, political science, or related area.

        Experience

        • Minimum eleven (11) years of relevant experience, at least 7 years of which should be in undertaking and/or leading DR process, preferably at the international level.
        • Experience in working internationally and in a developing country context.

          Skills

          • Excellent knowledge of dispute resolution techniques, and ability to manage and impart sensitive information.
          • Strong advocacy and liaison skills and proven ability to communicate with peers as well as to communicate with GCF stakeholders.
          • Excellent command of the English language, both written and spoken, together with excellent English drafting skills.
          • Familiarity with other UN languages is an advantage.

            Competencies

            • Formal mediation training and/or experience in managing (convening and/or facilitating) collaborative dispute resolution processes.
            • Experience in the handling of environmental and social safeguards-related matters (e.g. review and monitoring of resettlement action plans, stakeholder engagement plans etc.) would be a strong advantage.
            • Hands-on experience in stakeholder engagement, including public consultation, would be an advantage.
            • Experience with the approval, monitoring, and implementation process of development projects financed by international finance institutions is considered an added advantage.
            • Demonstration of having worked with a high level of independence, impartiality and integrity.
            • Ability to use well-reasoned and considered judgment on sensitive matters in complex situations with a strong analytical and writing ability.
            • Results-oriented and resilient.
            • Effective team player with strong interpersonal skills and highly developed cultural and gender sensitivity in communicating with all levels of staff and stakeholders both orally and in writing.
            • Capacity to work effectively with a range of stakeholders, including project affected communities, NGOs, GCF partner entities, the private sector and government.
            • Highly motivated individual who can juggle multiple priorities and work within tight deadlines.
            • Committed to the mission of the GCF, including its multicultural environment.
              

              The closing date for application is 11 October 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.