Climate Investment Specialist (Talent Pool)

Grade: IS - 4

Deadline: 28 August 2022 (11:59 PM KST)

Location: Songdo, Incheon, South Korea

Job Category: International

Salary: USD 114,600 net (plus attractive benefits, that include the following allowances (as appliable): Relocation, dependency, education assistance and home country travel)

The mission of the Green Climate Fund is to assist developing countries to respond to climate change while bringing prosperity to their people. 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. Since its establishment, the GCF has approved 192 projects in 123 countries and has committed USD 10.1 billion in climate finance. In addition, it has built up an extensive program to support developing countries to identify their needs, in particular, those who are most vulnerable to climate change impacts. 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 Climate Investment Specialist is responsible for developing an active pipeline of transformative proposals to mobilize private investment in climate mitigation and adaptation using the full suite of GCF financing instruments with a particular focus on equities and guarantees. Building and expanding a network of potential project sponsors, GCF’s accredited entities and new partner organizations in developing countries, including LDCs and SIDs would be critical to the success of this role. The incumbent will also be expected to persuade new institutional partners and other private /corporate financial institutions and investors to co-create and co-finance proposals with GCF. The incumbent will also engage with policy makers, government officials and industry player to come to an informed judgement on the investment thesis.

Duties and responsibilities

Purpose

• Adapt GCF procedures to enable achievement of GCF’s strategic objectives related to private sector including the implementation of the private sector strategy

• Adapt industry good practices for GCF to deliver on PSF team goals to identify, design and execute innovative private sector climate investments and creating an enabling environment for climate investments;

• Originate, lead and manage investment pipeline development, proposal development, execution and review, and portfolio monitoring of PSF transactions.

Engagement

• Collaborate with all domain-level specialists including but not limited to risk, legal, environment, social safeguards and gender as well as finance within GCF to identify and develop risk mitigation strategies related to Funding Proposals and Readiness proposals and collaborative effectively with third-party advisors and consultants to ensure timely project delivery; 

• Proactively engage with leading market experts, seek market intelligence, identify climate investment trends and innovations and communicate with market and industry participants in the private sector;

• Promote awareness of the Fund’s offering and develop effective relationship with new and existing sponsors, Accredited Entities (AEs) and potential new non-AE partners for future collaboration;

• Collaborate effectively with the Division of Country Programming to strengthen upstream engagement with the NDAs, Accredited Entities (AEs); and

Delivery

• Deliver proposal reviews and assessments including funding proposals, term sheets and funding activity agreements in a timely manner whilst anticipating the different requirements of the various divisions within GCF;

• Actively seek out and develop new pipelines, and promote innovations and business models to increase and enhance the effectiveness of the Fund’s engagement with the private sector;

• Deliver proposals for approval to the board through timely interactions with Accredited Entities, developer(s) and other stakeholders as required, as well as with interdivisional task teams of the Secretariat.

Required experience and qualifications*

• Masters level in finance, MBA, CFA  or equivalent with additional studies in ESG investing, sustainable finance, climate finance  or related fields; Or a relevant Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience;

• At least 9 years of relevant work experience in climate finance, impact investment, investment advisory; and regional or international investment facilities;

• Demonstrated experience  of leading investment  proposals  in the area of impact investing, ESG or climate mitigation and/or adaptation;

• Demonstrable work experience in structuring investments using multiple financial products including equity and guarantees;

• Experience in negotiating investment terms, analyzing financial statements, private placement memorandums, legal documentation and PE regulatory requirements and compliance;

• High proficiency in financial modelling;

• Strong understanding of different valuations methodologies and ability to negotiate with AEs and project owners;

• Experience in building and managing financial models and sensitivity tests, drafting and negotiating contracts, and drafting assessment memos for investment  committees;

• Experience identifying and managing risks associated with projects and programmes;

• Understanding of the evolving landscape in climate change and international development; ;

• Established track record of working within cross functional teams to structuring, executing and closing investments;

• Passionate about delivery on time and to high quality with a focus on results;

• Ability to take initiative, embrace and adapt to change;

• Team player who actively collaborates with peers within the team and has the ability to coach and mentor junior team members;

• Knowledge and experience of engaging with institutional investors and financial institutions;

• Comfortable working within multicultural teams and across boundaries and ability to build and maintain relationships with private and government partners; and

• Strong communication skills - written, oral and presentation, in English. This includes an ability to synthesize and explain complex issues and information in a manner that is understood by different audiences and stakeholders;

   

Candidate who fall short of some of the educational and experience criteria but otherwise found suitable may be offered a position at IS3 level or as an underfill.

 *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.