Information Disclosure and Observer Liaison Specialist

Grade: IS-3
Deadline: 19 June 2023 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 104,000 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.

Position Objective 
The Information Disclosure and Observer Liaison Specialist will lead compliance with, operationalization, review, and further development of the Information Disclosure Policy (IDP) of the Fund, the guidelines relating to the participation of observers, accreditation of observer organizations, and selection of active observers (“Guidelines for Observer Participation”), and related decisions of the Board. The Specialist will also contribute to the Fund’s efforts on knowledge management and the capacity development of internal and external stakeholders. 

The Specialist will serve as a subject-matter expert, and act as the focal point for engagement with active observers; observer organizations from civil society, the private sector, and international organizations; applicant organizations; requesters from the public who are seeking access to GCF-held information.

Duties and Responsibilities

Purpose

• Work with all GCF divisions and offices to mainstream the two Fund-wide policies in GCF operations and integrate them into relevant areas of work of GCF
• Lead the development and regular update of standards, guidelines, guidance, manuals, procedures, and forms to operationalize the two policies 
• Plan observer accreditation rounds and carry out and prepare the Secretariat assessment for consideration by the Board every between meeting
• Manage observer participation, including but not limited to overseeing issuance of all public Board documents for Board meetings and in between meetings, consultation drafts of policies, etc. and their participation in Board meetings and relevant activities open to them
• Draft GCF’s responses to requests for information ensuring consistency with the application of standards, exceptions, and timelines, coordinate with GCF personnel and accredited entities considering their inputs, and oversee the requests for information and appeals stages ensuring steps and timelines are complied with
• Contribute to and coordinate GCF responses to appeals filed with the Information Appeals Panel and to final decisions within the remit of the Executive Director
• Review policies and Board decisions under development and provide the necessary clearance that they are coherent or consistent with the two policies 

Engagement

• Provide subject matter expertise to promote institutional compliance with the policies and in furtherance of the zero-tolerance of non-compliance in line with the GCF risk register, providing advice to colleagues and management
• Conduct due diligence on environmental and social safeguards forms submitted by accredited entities for projects, programmes, and subprojects, and require adjustments to comply with policies as needed 
• Collaborate with colleagues and engage in negotiations with accredited entities with respect to relevant provisions in Accreditation Master Agreements, Funded Activity Agreements, term sheets, etc. 
• Collaborate with colleagues and liaise with accredited entities with respect to an external request for the disclosure of any information submitted by accredited entities to GCF 
• Support relevant colleagues in establishing processes and templates to ensure that proactive disclosures within their remit are made in accordance with the timing and other requirements in the policies
• Provide advice on proactive disclosure and requests for disclosure questions to senior management
• Engage in regular dialogues with civil society observers and provide inputs to senior management to map and address any concerns ensuring relationship management
• Contribute to internal and external information dissemination, learning, and other outreach activities

Deliver

• Establish and maintain the online registry of requests and appeals, ensuring transparency/confidentiality and timeliness in compliance with the policy
• Establish efficient systems for smooth coordination and timely action including through introducing automation and data management to improve processes
• Take stock of implementation challenges and lessons learned and gather feedback, capture these in annual and other reports, and propose solutions to address issues for consideration of senior management during policy implementation or review
• Organize regular awareness-raising and learning activities for different internal and external stakeholders, and prepare outreach plans, strategies, presentations, and other materials such as FAQs, brochures etc.
• Establish ties with other similar institutions to compare approaches and share lessons and best practices
• Keep GCF’s knowledge up to date regarding international standards in access to information and observer participation

Requirements (Education, experience, technical competencies required of the job)

• Advanced university degree in communications, information management, social sciences, legal studies or related fields; or a Bachelor’s degree with 2 additional years of experience. 
• Relevant years of work experience, including professional background in documents handling; information management processes and relationship management; 
• Familiarity with processing information requests from a range of stakeholders is an advantage; 
• Experience in working with observer organizations is an asset; 
• Ideal candidates will hold effective analytical and organizational skills, sound judgement, decision making abilities, be tactful and diplomatic and be capable of working under strict timelines; 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with a broad range of stakeholders to communicate at various levels and maintain good working relationships; 
• Strong competence and autonomy in the use of standard software programmes; Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access; 
• Fluency in English is essential; knowledge of another United Nations language is an advantage. 

The closing date for application is 19 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.