Lead Credit and Investment Risk Specialist

Grade: IS-6

Deadline: 26 November 2025 (11:59 PM KST)

Job Category: International

Salary: USD 171,200 (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 As we celebrate 10 years of climate action, our portfolio has grown to over USD 19.3 billion across more than 336 projects in over 130 countries[G[1] —demonstrating the transformative power of strategic climate finance at scale. 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 unprecedented public and private sector financial flows for climate action we have unparalleled scale and resources. Our risk appetite and flexibility enable us to bring together diverse partners and stakeholders in innovative partnerships for profound

impact.

GCF is seeking talented individuals with a commitment to tackling 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 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 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 and bringing 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.

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.  Over the past decade GCF has funded 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. Beyond channeling public and private sector investment through diverse financing instruments, GCF builds the capacity of developing countries to take climate action through an extensive Readiness Programme equipping countries to increasingly manage their climate futures.

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

Interested in more information? 

Learn about working for GCF: https://www.greenclimate.fund/about/careers 

View current vacancies: https://jobs.greenclimate.fund/

Position Objective

The mission of the Department of Risk Management and Compliance (DRMC) is to develop, manage and update comprehensive risk frameworks, policies and processes; as the second line of defense, identify, prioritize, monitor and manage actual and potential risks affecting the Green Climate Fund (GCF); and review pipeline and portfolio investments and programs to ensure that they are within the Fund’s risk tolerances,  comply with the Fund’s compliance and risk policies, and achieve optimal risk-reward for the Fund.

The Program Credit and Investment Risk Unit plays an important role in ensuring that the Fund possess and employ a sound and comprehensive risk management framework that caters to the financial instruments presently employed [e.g. loans, guarantees, (quasi) equity, grants], provide an objective and independent risk assessment and solution-oriented advice to management and programing teams so that all initiatives are aligned with the Fund’s risk tolerances, risk policies and thus can ultimately yield an optimal risk-reward for the Fund.

The incumbent will be responsible for:

     * Leading the development, implementation and maintenance of the credit and investment risk management framework, methodologies, tools to identify, mitigate and manage project and portfolio risks.

     * Leading a team of experienced risk specialists to ensure that risk analysis is undertaken on GCF projects and programs, the financial and structural foundations, assumptions and premises of the projects are sound, GCF’s risk policies and requirements are adhered to, the specific risks and applicable mitigations are clearly articulated in the approval documentation, and risks are understood, monitored and reported at the portfolio level.

     * Leading the preparation of knowledge management products through the development of case studies, documentation of best practices and/or lessons learnt.

     * Advising the Director of Risk Management and Compliance and other members of the Secretariat Committees and Working Groups on credit and investment risks.

The incumbent will also support the Director of Risk management and Compliance to develop strategies and work programs, effectively manage the delivery of DRMC’s programing risk management programs, nurture collaboration within DRMC, with other Divisions and Offices of the Secretariat and other stakeholders of the Fund, and perform additional tasks as assigned by the Director.

Purpose 

     * Innovate the existing program risk assessment approach to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness. 

     * Lead the Team to create credit and investment risk management framework, guidance, tools and methodologies to ensure rigorous assessment and monitoring of risks in projects and programs.

     * Proactively advocate the establishment of innovative financing structures and establish among Risk Specialists the necessary expertise for creating risk review guidelines and performing risk assessments.

     * Act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders that combines theoretical and practical perspectives in relation to risk identification and mitigation.

     * Motivate Team members to excel in their individual specializations while ensuring coherence and teamwork.

Engagement

     * Advocate for risk learning and sharing culture and nurture collaboration within the Fund and with the Fund’s partners.

     * Develop and lead the team's resources and its capacity to perform timely and quality assessment on current and emerging risk scenarios.

     * Showcase the value and assessments of the Team to influence relevant decision-making bodies, including Senior Management Team and Committees.

Delivery

     * Advise the Director on the strategic direction of the Team and allocation of resources to achieve goals in line with the Fund’s strategy.

     * Set strategic goals and effectively manage delivery of program and portfolio risk management, accepting responsibility for outcomes.

     * Lead and implement a systematic process to capture and disseminate knowledge, lessons learnt and good practices to strengthen GCF’s risk management processes with a focus on risk assessment and risk monitoring of GCF investments.

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

     * Master's degree in Finance, Business, Law, or other relevant fields.

     * At least 13 years of relevant work experience in cross-border transactions involving innovative financing including debt and equity with an international financial institution, financial or legal advisory firm, and/or a development institution; or 2 additional years of experience with Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

     * CFA, FRM or equivalent qualification is preferred.

     * Proven experience of effectively managing diverse teams of risk specialists and/or investment professionals.

     * Extensive experience in risk management of innovative and complex financial instruments including financing to the private sector.

     * Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.

     * Broader regional experience including experience in or exposure to developing countries.

     * Experience with different industry sectors, financial instruments and products, identifying risk drivers, and anticipating and addressing issues at the portfolio and transaction level.

     * Good understanding of macroeconomic and geopolitical issues.

     * Understanding of private equity and venture capital specifically early stage and growth capital is an advantage.

     * Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential for this position; knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

     * Knowledge of climate change and climate finance strategies of multilateral organizations and other international institutions is an advantage.

The closing date for application is 26 November 2025. 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.