The EIB, the European Union's bank, is seeking to recruit for its Projects Directorate (PJ) – Safeguards & Quality Management Department (SQM) - Environment, Climate & Social Office Division (ECSO), at its headquarters in Luxembourg, a:
(Senior) Climate Change Specialist
This is a full-time temporary position at grade 5/6 liked to Green Climate Fund Partnership
The term of this contract will be 2 years
Panel interviews are anticipated for beginning of May 2019
The Environment, Climate and Social Office (ECSO) leads the definition of the Bank’s climate, environmental and social policies and their mainstreaming through the EIB’s activities (e.g. through the development of methodologies, guidance material, training and other tools) and supports project teams in the social and environemntal due diligence of EIB-financed operations.
Purpose
The Climate Change Specialist will assist in defining and coordinating our Bank’s climate action and support the Bank to improve the quality and impact of its low-carbon and climate resilient projects and programmes. The post will focus primarily on measuring, reporting and verification (MRV) in climate change adaptation, mitigation and low-carbon development. The Specialist will assist with developing the pipeline of international climate action opportunities, liaising as appropriate with international climate finance institutions, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
Operating network
Joining a team of Climate Change Specialists, you will report to the Head of Environmental, Climate and Social Policy. You will work under the supervision of the Lead Climate Specialist and closely cooperate with the other parts of the Projects Directorate (PJ) as well as with other Directorates, in particular the Operations, Finance and the General Secretariat Directorates. You will liaise with ECSO colleagues from the Environment and Social work streams, as well as relevant sector authorities, to ensure that all relevant technical expertise is mobilized in support of implementing EIB’s Climate Strategy and in line with ECSO’s vision of working in an integrated and holistic manner and use the synergies within the ECSO team whenever possible.
ECSO’s climate change experts lead and look after the development and implementation of the EIB’s Climate Change Strategy and its related Action Plans, in areas that include climate awareness, mainstreaming, and climate risk management. They also provide support to project teams through their involvement in pipeline development, and validation of climate action attribution. In sector departments, a close link with climate representatives is key to ensure consistency in climate action reporting. Finally, they develop and organise training and awareness raising events, being apart of ECSO's Knowledge Sharing Programme.
Accountabilities
The post involves policy and procedures drafting, knowledge management and operational tasks. It requires the ability and willingness to travel occasionally.
- Actively contribute to the implementation of the Bank’s Climate Strategy;
- Ensure effective implementation of measuring, reporting and verification (MRV) tools and systems for internal and external tracking of climate action finance and related impact;
- Undertake analysis relating to low carbon pathways, climate mitigation, adaptation, and carbon footprinting;
- Provide specialist advice on climate risk issues and mitigation activities pertaining to individual projects or programmes throughout the project cycle;
- Further develop internal guidance materials on climate change;
- Conduct research on industry standards in sustainable and low-carbon development in close cooperation with PJ departments, as appropriate;
- Liaise with donors and the international climate finance institutions, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), in order to consolidate the EIB’s role as international actor in the international climate finance architecture;
- Cooperate with other MDBs, bilateral finance institutions, European Commission, OECD, UNFCCC et al. on MRV aspects, particularly related to the credibility in reporting on climate and sustainable finance;
- Provide input to briefings for Bank’s management on our approach to climate action;
- Actively participate as speaker in ECSO’s training and awareness raising programme.
Qualifications
- University degree in a relevant domain, e.g. engineering, economics, environmental or climate science.
- At least 5 years of recent climate change relevant professional experience.
- At least 3 years of recent experience with measuring, reporting and verification (MRV).
- Solid experience relevant to Climate Mitigation and/or Adaptation policies and operations
- Practical experience with climate action projects would be an advantage.
- Experience with project level GHG assessment, and/or climate vulnerability assessments and the development of climate adaptation measures is a plus.
- Deep knowledge of international climate policy and the current state of industry standards among International Finance Institutions and the UN organisations.
- Demonstrated ability to work in inter-disciplinary contexts.
- Excellent analytical skills with a practical approach to problem solving.
- Excellent MS Excel skills and ability to use other standard computer tools;
- Good interpersonal and communication skills;
- Excellent knowledge of English and good command of French (*), including very strong writing skills. Knowledge of other EU languages is a plus.
Competencies
- Achievement Drive: Continually keeps an eye on performance, focusing on improving it, showing drive and determination to meet short and long-term goals
- Change Orientation: Adapts to differences and changes in the environment; takes a flexible approach to reach outcomes
- Collaboration: Works cooperatively as part of a team; works collaboratively with peers across organisational boundaries based on a genuine interest in and an accurate understanding of others and their individual perspectives and concerns
- Organisational Commitment: Is willing to commit to an organisation whose mission is to support Europe and is open to diversity, and to align her/his own behaviour with the organisation 's needs and intrinsic values, acting with integrity in ways that promote the organisation 's mission, policies and rules.
(*) There may be certain flexibility on this requirement, but limited to particularly suitable candidates who may not yet be proficient in French. If selected, such candidates will be hired on the condition that they build up rapidly knowledge of French and accept that their future career in the EIB may be subject to the attainment of sufficient proficiency in both of the Bank's working languages
We are an equal opportunity employer, who believes that diversity is good for our people and our business. As such, we promote the inclusion of suitably qualified and experienced staff without regard to their gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation/identity, or disability (*).
The level of functions in the job vacancy is only indicative and will be adjusted accordingly taking into account, among other things, the business need, as well as the selected candidate’s experience and expertise
Deadline for applications: 2nd April 2019
(*). We particularly welcome applications from women and persons with disabilities.
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