Grade: IS - 3

Deadline: 6 November 2020 (11:59 PM KST)

The mission of the Green Climate Fund (“GCF”, “Fund”) is to assist developing countries to respond to climate change while bringing prosperity to their peoples.

Established in 2010, the GCF invests in transformational climate projects in the developing world. The Fund makes an ambitious contribution to global climate action and channels significant financial resources into developing countries to help build low-emission and climate-resilient societies.  It is country-driven and undertakes actions that reflect the circumstances of each country concerned and its national aspirations. The GCF is a key enabler of the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

The GCF’s diverse workforce is advancing its mission from its headquarters in South Korea. Our talented staff makes unique contributions to the Fund, enriching the institution through their combined expertise and professional commitment.

Position Objective

The Office of Portfolio Management (OPM) of the Green Climate Fund Secretariat is organized into three workstreams: Review and quality assurance (RQA), Portfolio Implementation Monitoring and Management (PIMM) and Data and Results Management (DRM).   

The PIMM workstream plays an important role in ensuring that the portfolio of approved GCF projects/programmes is implemented efficiently and effectively in accordance with the Fund’s policies as well as approved terms and conditions. It is also responsible for ensuring adequate and timely reporting and assessment of implementation progress and results from the Fund’s investments as well as for proactively working with Accredited Entities (AEs) to resolve implementation issues and challenges. 

OPM is seeking a Portfolio Management Specialist to join the PIMM team in ensuring timely and high-quality monitoring and review of the implementation of Funded Activities and Readiness Grants/activities as may be required. Reporting to the Senior Portfolio Management Specialist, the Specialist will play an active role in portfolio management activities and interact closely with various stakeholders including accredited entities, delivery partners, national designated authorities as well as colleagues within OPM and in other divisions of the GCF Secretariat.

The Portfolio Management Specialist (Funded Activities and Readiness Grants) will be responsible for the management of a complex portfolio of public and private sector projects as well as Readiness Grants and activities under implementation. S/he will be responsible for ensuring compliance with legal agreements as well as Fund policies and procedures. S/he will also make crucial contributions to the efficient and effective management of GCF’s Portfolio as well as provide technical inputs for the establishment, review, and refinement of portfolio management frameworks, policies, and guidelines as well as on-going supervision and management of the Fund’s Projects/Programmes and Readiness grants after the first disbursement until completion and final evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Purpose

• Responsible for monitoring project implementation (Funded activities and readiness grants) and ensuring compliance in line with GCF’s Monitoring and Accountability Framework and Integrated Results Measurement Frameworks and ensuring their alignment with cycles of funding and proposal development.
• Lead the review of project reports from AEs/DPs/NDAs, monitoring and assessing implementation performance of the assigned portfolio (projects and grants) to proactively identify risks and inform the senior management on appropriate corrective measures as appropriate.
• Proactively provide guidance to AEs/DPs/NDAs to ensure the timely compliance with M&E reporting requirements as per relevant Fund’s frameworks such as GCF’s Monitoring and Accountability Framework, Performance Measurement Frameworks (PMFs), and Result Measurement Framework (RMF);  legal and financial terms and conditions and Fund policies and procedures.  
• Support the updating and standardizing portfolio monitoring procedures and processes in response to evolving and varied institutional / client needs and contexts that improve portfolio management strategies and approaches.
   

Engagement

• Coordinate interdivisional reviews of and inputs to submitted Funded Activities and Readiness project reports to ensure timely processing of disbursements, waivers, extensions and amendments requests from accredited entities, delivery partners and NDAs for an assigned portfolio of projects/programmes.
• Build, develop effective relationship management strategies with AEs/DPs/NDAs as well as internal stakeholders during the implementation phase to facilitate timely information exchange, feedback, and corrective actions to manage emerging risks and challenges for optimal portfolio performance and results.
• Contribute to Secretariat-wide/inter-divisional initiatives and represent OPM in internal committees/working groups and external engagements including conferences and meetings as appropriate. 
   

Delivery

• Provide technical inputs to the refinement and updating of monitoring templates and reporting guidelines for GCF operations, as well as compliance with the Board-approved frameworks as may be required.
• Contribute to optimization, standardization and improvement of the portfolio management processes and procedures including early warning systems and inputs for portfolio risk monitoring and mitigation.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports such as Portfolio Performance Reports, Readiness implementation update reports and issues for consideration by Senior Management and Internal Committees/working groups, as well as the Board as may be required. 
• Develop and present knowledge products from the review or reports, a compilation of lessons learned, case studies and best practices from projects and grants, in collaboration with other workstreams and divisions, to inform and improve portfolio selection, implementation and evaluation of GCF projects/programmes and grants as may be required. 
• Review information on projects/programmes and grant implementation and results and update portfolio dashboards and inform corrective portfolio and policy actions needed to improve the performance of the GCF portfolio.
   

Required Experience and Qualifications*

Education (minimum requirement)

• Masters’  university degree in economics, environmental sciences, sustainable development, climate policy, finance, international relations, or other relevant field 

Relevant work experience (minimum requirement)

• At least 7 years of relevant work experience in portfolio management including involvement in the design, implementation and monitoring of projects and grants.
• Exposure and experience managing both public and private sector projects and or complex projects and programs is a plus.
• Experience in international organizations, multilateral climate funds and/or development banks, project financing, and the UNFCC is an advantage 
• Exposure to/knowledge of climate change project issues and/or GCF working modalities is an added advantage
• Excellent ability to communicate and present complex issues verbally and in writing in a concise manner to varied audiences.

Skills (i.e. technical skills)

• General understanding of the Fund’s instruments (grants, debt, guarantees and equity) and sector investment areas 
• Ability to articulate and present ideas well both in writing and orally to a diverse audience of stakeholders at technical and strategic levels
• Knowledge of the operational framework and fiduciary standards of international institutions 
• Strong Interpersonal/relationship management and negotiation skills
• Excellent analytical skills and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment with diverse stakeholders at different technical and strategic levels– staff, Board, and external stakeholders 
• Unquestionable integrity and adherence to the highest ethical standards 

Language requirements

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential for this position; knowledge of another UN language would be an advantage

Competencies

• Planning and Organizing
• Teamwork
• Client orientation
• Communication
• Building trust
   

*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.