Senior Associate, Green Investment and Finance

PURPOSE

The Senior Investment Associate will:

• Independently develop investment ideas and pipelines for key sectors under the country program.
• Support development of new scalable, replicable projects in alignment with GGGI Laos program and its thematic priorities.
• Undertake private sector stakeholder mapping, market assessment / mapping and build networks / relationships with non-government stakeholders in the sector.  
• Undertake technical analysis, modelling, scenario building and bankability assessments.
• Undertake desk research, collect primary information and structure information into high-quality Excel models
• Support the design of gender-responsive and socially inclusive financial instruments and contribute towards building national financing vehicles.
• Support the mobilization of investment commitment from financiers to invest and further advance green projects in Lao PDR.
• Support the identification, structuring and development of investment projects aligned with key policies of the Government of Lao PDR
• Support delivery of ongoing projects of the GGGI Lao PDR Waste Unit.
• Research and compile case studies and other illustrative materials which give practical guidance and comparative experience on possible green investment projects in the Lao PDR; and,
• Provide technical input to deliver a portfolio of advisory services and investment mobilization under the guidance of the Senior Waste Management Officer, Deputy Country Representative and Country Representative, and relevant colleagues.

ENGAGEMENT

• Engage in stakeholder mapping, relationship building and support facilitation of discussions with investors, donors, entrepreneurs, government, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Apply necessary technical skills to acquire important information and knowledge from a variety of sources, including government ministries, provincial departments, municipal and district authorities and local entrepreneurs in support of delivery of high-quality outputs.
• Support the Waste Unit, as well as other Units of the GGGI Lao PDR Country Program in preparing pitches and proposals relating to the subject matters required for the discussions with donors, investors, government stakeholders, among others.
• Liaise with other GGGI country offices, GGGI Regional offices and GGGI headquarters to identify good practices and lessons learned in green investments.

DELIVERY

• Identify, support and monitor green investment initiatives in Lao PDR.
• Improve business models of identified projects by collaborating with internal and external stakeholders
• Keep track of project cycles and organize analytical work to ensure that deliverables are provided on schedule and in accordance with the workplan.
• Evaluate delivery risks and challenges, and mitigation measures. Build common understanding and coordination on project activities by working with national and sub-national counterparts.
• Deliver analytical work in a timely manner to support subsequent work consistent with the workplan and project cycle.
• Support engagement with stakeholders, including investor meetings, conferences, events and among others.
• Review project documents and provide constructive input to deliverables with a strong eye for quality control and consistency.
• Support execution of administrative (including procurement, logistics, etc.) duties aligned with the budget and GGGI policies.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as quantitative economics, statistics, mathematics, business, finance, economics, development economics and international relations. Possession of an MBA or any other relevant post graduate qualification will be an added advantage.
• Minimum four years of relevant investment experience preferred, ideally within a bank, fund, financial institution or other investment-oriented organization
• Demonstrable track record developing high-quality investment and business models and undertaking associated analysis
• Experience in a multi-lateral financial institution, the private sector and/or an intergovernmental organization is a plus.
• Clear understanding of principles and applications of green and sustainable finance and ESG
• Experience in supporting / analyzing start-up ecosystem in the Lao PDR or neighboring country is a plus.
• Experience providing project origination and implementation support with an understanding of the structure and functioning of an international organization.
• Strong competence in the use of standard software programs: Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative in response to the organization and team's demand.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English and Tagalog is a requirement.
• Willingness and ability to travel

FUNCTIONAL

• Team player, with result-oriented, creative, and entrepreneurial mindset to solve problems
• Able to perform strategic and technical analysis in tandem and under time constraints
• Ability to work independently while proactively seeking concurrence and instructions
• Excellent multi-cultural literacy and interest in being a part of an international team working in an evolving and entrepreneurial environment
• Excellent communications and facilitation skills
• Highly organized and able to effectively and efficiently multi-task and prioritize
• Comfortable working both in a team and independently

CORPORATE

• Understand and actively support GGGI's mission, vision and values.
• Promote the optimum use of public resources
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.
• Process and share information easily.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, build rapport and resolve conflict easily.
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff.
• Be able to take initiative where needed and provide solutions to project-level challenges.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Senior Associate is an X7 National Staff Level in GGGI salary scale. Determination of base salary is subject to candidate's experience, academic background and internal equity. GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance that covers dental and vision. GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.

INTRODUCTION

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is an intergovernmental organization founded to support and promote a model of economic growth known as "green growth", which targets key aspects of economic performance such a poverty reduction, job creation, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. GGGI works with countries around the world, building their capacity and working collaboratively on green growth policies that can impact the lives of millions. The organization partners with countries, multilateral institutions, government bodies, and private sector to help build economies that grow strongly and are more efficient and sustainable in the use of natural resources, less carbon intensive, and more resilient to climate change.  

GGGI has a diverse portfolio of programs in developing countries around the world. These in-country programs, together with global products and services, focus on delivering results through an integrated approach of evidence-based green growth planning and implementation aligned to countries’ development priorities. The organization also focuses on knowledge development and management activities which build a strong theoretical and empirical basis for green growth, while providing concrete options and guidance for policymakers; as well as building the conditions for public and private green infrastructure investments.   

The GGGI Lao PDR program has been expanding rapidly in the areas of climate change, green cities, sustainable urban services and green investment mobilization. Linked to this, the GGGI Lao PDR program is supporting the Government of Lao PDR to develop green growth policies and create an enabling environment for green investment to flow into the country as well as preparing projects to mobilize direct investments and structuring, catalyzing and brokering private sector partnerships for implementation of green growth interventions.

Aligned with the targets of Lao PDR’s nineth National Socio-Economic Development Plan 2021 – 2025 (NSEDP), the National Green Growth Strategy (NGGS) and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), a financing gap of 4.7billion was identified. In addition, Vientiane Capital recently adopted its 10 Year Solid Waste Management Strategy with the ambition of mobilizing close to USD 50million in private and public sector investments across the solid waste management value chain.  GGGI has also partnered with the ASEAN Korean Cooperation Fund (AKCF) with the aim of mobilizing USD 100 million towards achieving the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025 targets. To this end, GGGI Lao PDR program is seeking a Senior Investment Associate to join GGGI’s Waste Unit and contribute to investment mobilization across waste and non-waste sectors.

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.