Chief Operating Officer

Deadline: 09 January 2026 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International

This recruitment process is being managed by a specialist search firm.

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. The GCF has a portfolio of 336 projects across 134 countries, with a total commitment of USD 19.3 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 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 Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing and optimizing critical institutional functions, including information technology (IT), people and culture , procurement, general services, and travel and events. The COO ensures that all corporate operations align with the organization's objectives and are executed efficiently and effectively. The COO also drives a relentless focus on institutional processes within the organization to ensure the staff are supported with clarity of direction, robust processes, best in-class technology, access to capability building, and appropriate behavioral interventions to bring out the maximum discretionary effort from all the GCF staff.

The COO reports to GCF’s Executive Director (ED) and is a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), along with the Chief Investment Officer, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer, Chief Finance and Risk Officer, General Counsel, Director of Governance Affairs and ED’s Chief of Staff.

Purpose

• Transformational Architect: Sets operational strategy and drives operating transformational initiatives that align with the Fund's mission and goals.
• Performance Management: Reviews, assesses, and modifies the operational strategy to ensure optimal effectiveness based on organizational performance outcomes.
• Corporate operations: Manages and oversees corporate facilities and projects, enhances operational processes for efficiency, and leads all cross-cutting projects in areas such as, technology, data, digitization, streamlining work processes to improve overall productivity.
• Technology: Overseas the development of a three year rolling plan so that the technology function effectively supports business operations by aligning digital tools, systems, and AI driven innovation with the company’s strategic and operational goals.
• Human Resource Management: Oversees the development of a three year HR and culture development plan to ensure that the function delivers efficient and effective human resource programmes that boost talent acquisition, retention, professional development; and ensures a competent and engaged workforce.
• Procurement: Implements sustainable and ethical procurement practices, adhering to international standards. Oversees procurement activities and establishes procurement strategies that align with GCF's mission.
• Health and Safety: Maintains oversight of the health and safety function and its compliance with regulations, standards and fostering a culture of risk awareness and employee wellbeing across the organization.

Engagement

• Stakeholders: Partners with the executive leadership in the Fund’s corporate and institutional operations, including collaborating with internal stakeholders to understand institutional service requirements and providing tailored solutions.
• Institutional Teams: Fostering a service-oriented culture with the efficiency, effectiveness and engagement of all the GCF employees becoming the core-driver and purpose for all the institutional teams.
• Team Alignment: Developing suitable management processes and effective communication and coordination between corporate service departments to ensure that the overall employee experience is supportive and aiming to bring out the best in our staff.

Delivery

• Organizational Effectiveness: Drives improvement in operational efficiency and productivity by aligning strategy, organizational structure, management processes, technology, managerial capability, and people skills.
• Operational Execution: Projects and initiatives to improve institutional efficiency and effectiveness delivered in a timely manner within budget for all cross-cutting areas leveraging standardized processes, technology, AI, and change management to improve employee satisfaction and engagement scores.
• Strategy: Achieves strategic objectives within set timeframes and budgets; creates impact in alignment with the Fund's goals; incorporates innovative approaches in problem-solving.
• 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 reporting to the Board on transformation progress; leads implementation of Board decisions related to transformation initiatives; and obtains feedback from the Board on the transformation role
  and its impact.

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

• At least 15 years of relevant experience. At least 10 years of experience in senior leadership and management roles, preferably within a fund in a multilateral environment, financial institution, or similar organization demonstrating successful operational leadership.
• Master's or higher-level degree with proven expertise in strategic planning, project management, and change management in a complex organizational structure;
• Prior experience with financial management and budget oversight in a large-scale organization;
• Prior experience in working with institutional governance structures to progress organizational change initiatives;
• Success in transforming and streamlining operations, policies, and procedures to increase efficiency and effectiveness;
• Extensive leadership experience in overseeing IT, HR, safety and security and/or corporate services functions, preferably within an international organization;
• Experience in leading or playing a key role in a global organization culture/mindset transformation process;
• In-depth knowledge of international regulations and standards related to support service functions. A track record of engaging with stakeholders and guiding collaborative efforts;
• Understanding of the regulatory and compliance requirements for multilateral organizations;
• Experience with digital transformation and the use of technology to streamline operations. 

Competencies

• High-level orchestrator and leader of complex processes; analytical and technologically savvy; comfortable in leading digital transformation efforts;
• Process-oriented; skilled in streamlining operational efficiencies and project management;
• Inspires and guides the organization with a compelling vision for the future, aligning strategies and actions with a shared sense of purpose;
• Possesses exceptional communication skills and the ability to persuasively convey ideas, gaining buy-in and inspiring action from others;
• Demonstrates a creative and forward-thinking mindset, consistently generating new ideas and solutions to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities;
• Leads and develops a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth;
• Exhibits tact, discretion, and the ability to navigate complex interpersonal relationships, particularly in high-stakes or politically sensitive situations;
• Maintains high ethical standards ensuring respect and integrity.

The closing date for application is 09 January 2026. 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.