Locally-led Climate Action Specialist

Grade: IS-4
Deadline: 25 June 2023 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 123,770 net (plus attractive benefits), that include the following allowances (as appliable): Relocation, housing, dependency, education assistance and home country travel)

Introduction
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 209 projects in 123 countries and has committed USD 11.4 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.

Background

The Division of Mitigation and Adaptation (DMA) seeks a Specialist for supporting the origination and appraisal of projects and programmes contributing to promote climate actions at the local level and Enhancing Direct Access (EDA). This position will report to the Manager (SAP/PPF/EDA) and closely work with the climate impact leads, senior specialists, climate investment managers, regional managers and project officers in DMA, the Private Sector Facility (PSF), the Division of Country Programming (DCP) and the Division of Portfolio Management (DPM).

This position will significantly contribute to enhance locally-led climate projects, especially in adaptation and through direct access entities, in particular in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and African countries. The specialist will fill the current gap in supporting the GCF in programming appropriately climate finance towards locally-led climate actions, which are critical to achieve long-term impact, especially in relation to adaptation actions.

Overall, the Specialist will be responsible for supporting direct access to GCF resources for national and subnational entities and local actors who play a crucial role for supporting the development of a pipeline of projects and programmes that promote locally-led climate adaptation and mitigation actions, by working closely with the GCF accredited entities and relevant partners . The Specialist will also promote capacity building, encourage country ownership, and ensure sustainable development practices are integrated into project implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Programming support for EDA and locally-led action (A/M), 

• Coordinate, in consultation with DCP, with GCF Direct Access Accredited Entities (DAEs), National Designated authorities (NDAs) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment of USP2 objectives on locally-led climate activities with their project pipelines and GCF country and work programmes.
• Build partnerships with organizations involved in locally led climate actions  to identify and prioritize climate change adaptation and mitigation actions that align with country-specific needs and EDA approach.
• Support the development of EDA proposals and proposals with a focus on locally-led climate actions, and ensure alignment with GCF policies, guidelines, and requirements capitalizing on the technical assistance that can be provided by the GCF Project Preparation Facility (PPF) and the resources from other GCF partners.
• Task manage and task review EDA-LLA proposals submitted to GCF under its regular Proposal Approval Process or its Simplified Approval Process (SAP) 
• Coordinate the pipeline of projects contributing to the programming goals set for locally led climate actions, including its prioritization, reporting and regular updates on its status to the Directors of DMA and DCP, the Deputy Executive Director and the Senior Management Team as needed.

Complementarity and coherence approach/framework with AF/GEF/Others, 

• Support, in coordination with the Office of the Governance Affairs (OGA) and (DCP), the implementation of the Coherence and Complementarity Framework, specifically in relation to the activities related to the AF and GEF Scaling-Up Framework related work.
• Work with DAEs to identify and prioritize climate change adaptation and mitigation projects that align with country-specific needs, GCF criteria and EDA.

Enhance access, capacity building and support to the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme

• Provide, in coordination with DCP and the Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme, technical assistance and guidance to direct access entities and prospective direct access entities applying for the GCF Project Specific Accreditation Assessment (PSAA) on how to structure and EDA and locally-led projects. 
• Organize workshops, webinars, and other knowledge-sharing events to promote EDA and locally-led climate intervention principles and disseminate project results;
• Provides substantive guidance to the Direct Access Entities on the EDA Project Preparation technical guidance and support the development of publications, e-learnings, training and communication materials that contributes to the knowledge management related to locally-led climate actions.
• Develop and roll-out specific product to increase the efficiency of preparation and appraisal of funding proposals supporting locally-led climate actions such as SAP fast-tracking templates or other internal and external standards that can increase the efficiency of project preparation and review.
• Lead the further improvement of the EDA approach, including drafting the new EDA terms of Reference in alignment with the strategic priority set by the current and future Fund’s Strategic Plan.

Knowledge and adaptive learning

• Work closely with DPM to monitor the progress of relevant supported projects and provide regular updates to relevant stakeholders.
• Evaluate project outcomes, impacts, and lessons learned to inform future locally led climate initiatives and improve the effectiveness of the approach.
• Document best practices, case studies, and lessons learned from EDA and locally-led projects to support knowledge sharing and adaptative learning among direct access entities, countries and relevant stakeholders.
• Manage the data and information related to the locally-led climate project and EDA pipeline and portfolio and develop monthly reports on the pipeline and portfolio for the GCF Management and contribute to the relevant Board document such as the GCF Secretariat Activity Report to the Board and the GCF Pipeline and Portfolio report to the Board and the GCF report to the UNFCCC COP.
• Perform other tasks related to the portfolio of activities associated to locally-led climate actions and EDA as deemed necessary.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Master's degree in environmental sciences, climate change, sustainable development, or a related field. Or bachelor's degree plus two (2) more years of experience
• At least nine (9) years of experience in climate finance, project management, or a related field, with a focus on projects/programmes in climate change.
• Proven capacity to design, implement, appraise and evaluate climate change projects utilizing grant and non-grant instruments.
• Demonstrated experience working with national and subnational entities, as well as international organizations and donors and understanding and knowledge of community based / community driven interventions in the areas of sustainable development and climate change.
• Understanding of GCF policies, guidelines, and requirements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Fluency in English, with proficiency in additional UN languages being an asset.

The closing date for application is 25 June 2023. Applications submitted after the deadline may not be considered.

*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.