Governance Specialist

Job #: req38398
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Climate Change
Grade: GF
Term Duration:  2 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Manila,Philippines
Required Language(s): English and Filipino / Tagalog (or local languages)
Preferred Language(s): French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Russian
Closing Date: 10/8/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd

VPU Context: At COP27 and CMA4, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA) established funding arrangements to assist developing countries particularly vulnerable to climate change. This decision established the Fund for responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) to assist developing countries vulnerable to the economic and non-economic impacts of climate change, including extreme weather and slow onset events. 

At COP28 and CMA5, the COP/CMA formally approved the Fund’s Governing Instrument, designating it as part of the UNFCCC’s financial mechanism and placing it under the guidance of both COP and CMA. The decision authorized the Fund’s Board to secure a hosting arrangement with the World Bank as an interim trustee for four years, which includes hosting the Fund’s secretariat (Secretariat). The World Bank has agreed to act as trustee and administer the Trust Fund in line with the COP/CMA’s stipulations.

Unit Context: The Secretariat, hosted by the World Bank in Washington, D.C., and led by the Executive Director (ED), coordinates the Fund’s strategic activities across its governing bodies, including the Board, and the World Bank (as Trustee and Secretariat host), manages institutional relations with the Fund’s stakeholders, and drives thought leadership to deliver the Board’s vision and policies. 
This role provides support to a Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF). Roles funded by a FIF are subject to the WBG Staff Directives and Procedures. Additionally, the FIF's governance framework and funding are also relevant to this role.
Duties and accountabilities: 
• Serve as liaison between the FRLD Secretariat and relevant  meeting host government including the Philippines government agencies, ministries, regulatory bodies, and national focal point, facilitating communication, coordination, and legal/regulatory alignment. 
• Support to organize online or regional workshops if/when they take place. 
• Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of Board and committee meetings held in the Philippines (or with Philippines participation), including venue logistics, translation support, accreditation, local travel, meeting documentation, protocol and participant coordination. 
• Draft, review, and help finalize background papers, terms of reference (ToRs) for procurement of consultants, meeting summaries, minutes, briefing memos, and localized legal/operational notes consistent with Secretariat templates. 
• Conduct desk research on relevant legal, regulatory, institutional, or procedural matters affecting FRLD operations (e.g. national climate law, public finance, inter-agency coordination, liability, national agreements). 
• Assist Secretariat teams in ensuring that local regulatory or legal requirements are addressed (e.g. visas, permits, national contracts, MoUs) and flag risks or constraints arising from Philippines’ legal environment. 
• Support localization of Secretariat materials, guidelines, SOPs, and workflows in the Philippines context (e.g. aligning timelines, local processes, stakeholder mapping). 
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations and local engagements (e.g. workshops, meetings with government, civil society, local partners) by preparing logistical arrangements, documentation, and liaison support. 
• Undertake ad hoc tasks related to governance, legal, and administrative support in the Philippines, including urgent document preparation or country-level coordination during Secretariat initiatives or Board cycles.

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in law, public policy, international affairs, governance, or related field; a postgraduate qualification is an advantage.  
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in legal, governance, policy, or institutional roles in the Philippines (e.g. government, development agencies, NGOs, private sector).  
• Demonstrated experience in supporting high-level meetings, drafting legal or policy documents, stakeholder coordination, or institutional liaison roles. 
• Prior exposure to supporting boards of directors. 
• Prior exposure to working for national or local government, multilateral institutions, climate finance, or international development is strongly desirable. 
• Prior exposure to matters related to loss and damage. 
• Strong writing, drafting, and document preparation skills; attention to detail and ability to adapt materials to institutional templates and standards. 
• Good legal and policy research  and writing skills with ability to interpret national laws/regulations and assess implications for Secretariat operations. 
• Effective stakeholder engagement, coordination, and liaison skills, including working with government officials, local institutions, civil society, and international partners. 
• Capacity to plan and manage logistical, meeting, and administrative arrangements with precision. 
• Ability to work under tight timelines, manage multiple tasks, and respond flexibly to evolving demands. 
• Good judgment, discretion, confidentiality, and sensitivity to governance, legal, and institutional matters. 
• Team orientation, collaboration across units, and adaptability in a matrix environment. 
• Experience working with the Philippines government, national and local Philippines agencies, or in a development / climate change context. 
• Familiarity with Board or governance processes, accreditation mechanisms, or secretariat support in international settings. 
• Experience in coordinating translation, multi-language processes, or local stakeholder consultations. 
• Prior experience in a legal or governance support role in an international, government or development institution.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

  • Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
  • Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
  • Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.