Operations Officer - Climate (Adaptation)

Operations Officer - Climate (Adaptation)

Job #:
req28566

Organization:
IFC

Sector:
Climate Change

Grade:
GG

Term Duration:
3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:
7/31/2024 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

IFC - a member of the World Bank Group - is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.

Climate action is at the core of IFC's business. In financial year 2023, IFC delivered 46% in own-account climate finance and mobilized an additional $6.8 billion. The World Bank Group's Climate Change Action Plan (2021 - 2025) outlines our collective response to align financial flows with the goals of the Paris Agreement (referred to as "Paris Alignment"). IFC has committed to align 85% of new operations with these goals starting July 1, 2023, and to align 100% of new operations starting July 1, 2025.

IFC's Climate Business Department is instrumental in implementing the Climate Change Action Plan and achieving Paris Alignment. The Department's responsibilities include supporting IFC's investment and advisory teams in identifying climate investments, tracking committed climate finance, collaborating on IFC's Labeled Bond Program (Green, Blue, Transition), developing analytical tools, leading climate risk management, and fostering thought leadership through publications and external partnerships. These efforts aim to scale IFC's climate impact and prevent greenwashing.

The Climate Finance & Policy Team within this Department is tasked with mainstreaming Paris alignment in IFC's operations, assessing climate finance in investments, aiding in structuring sustainable/green finance instruments, contributing to carbon market development, and leading climate impact measurement, including GHG accounting and financed emissions. One of its core priorities is to grow support to clients in relation to climate adaptation and resilience. The team also significantly contributes to climate risk assessment and reporting, including climate physical risks.

In this context, the Climate Finance & Policy Team is looking to hire an Operations Officer - Climate Specialist (Adaptation), based in Washington DC, and reporting to the Global Manager of Climate Finance & Policy.

Duties and Accountabilities

The Operations Officer - Climate Specialist (Adaptation) will be a core member of the Climate Finance & Policy Team and is expected to contribute to solutions and execution of the team's overall priorities, particularly related to IFC's strategy and activities for climate adaptation and resilience. Accountabilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Paris Alignment Implementation

• Collaborate within the Team and across departments to ensure investments align with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
• Contribute to and/or lead Paris Alignment assessments for climate physical risks across sectors.
• Contribute to and/or lead the development of information and materials (including sector guidance notes) for Paris Alignment assessments.
• Contribute to the successful rollout of the new Accountability and Decision-Making Framework for Paris Alignment.
• Contribute to and/or lead initiatives to introduce greater efficiencies in Paris Alignment assessments.

Climate Finance

• Support IFC's industry teams in identifying sectoral and project adaptation investment opportunities following the joint MDB methodology for climate adaptation finance.
• Support investment teams with the internal processing of climate adaptation projects globally and in their engagements with clients on climate adaptation/resilience matters.
• Develop materials including guidance notes to help mainstream and grow climate adaptation tagging.
• Contribute to the development of the new Accountability and Decision-Making Framework for Climate Finance.
• Support the successful implementation of new metrics for climate adaptation and resilience.
• Contribute to the dialogue with other MDBs on the evolution of the joint methodology to track climate adaptation finance flows.

Process Improvement

• Continuously seek opportunities to enhance processes, methodologies, and tools related to climate finance and Paris Alignment, including by proactively identifying areas for improvement and implementing innovative solutions to drive efficiency and effectiveness.

Knowledge Management & Capacity Building

• Provide subject-matter expertise on various topics related to climate adaptation and resilience, including support to IFC investment, advisory, and upstream teams.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends, research, and developments in the field of climate adaptation and resilience, and efficiently distill and share relevant information with colleagues.
• Identify capacity gaps within IFC and contribute to strategies to enhance the organization's capacity in climate adaptation and resilience, both from climate finance and Paris Alignment perspectives.
• Contribute to and/or lead the delivery of training on Paris Alignment and adaptation finance.

Partnerships & Communication

• Contribute to engagements on adaptation finance and/or Paris Alignment with external stakeholders, such as clients, MDBs, and consultants.
• Represent IFC at conferences and events on climate adaptation and resilience.
• Proactively contribute to IFC's internal and external communication on climate adaptation and resilience.

Collaboration and Teamwork

• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, including by promoting effective teamwork and knowledge sharing among team members.
• Guide, mentor, and train junior staff in the development of their technical skills.

Selection Criteria

• At least a master's degree in a relevant field, including climate, civil or environmental engineering, finance, economy, natural resource management, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in climate risk assessments, climate-related disaster risk management, or adaptation climate finance.
• In-depth knowledge of Paris Alignment adaptation methodologies and processes, and experience in Paris Alignment assessment across sectors.
• Experience in assessing climate change adaptation aspects of investments.
• Working knowledge of Excel analytical tools, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), climate change models and databases, and online platforms.
• Expertise in project management, including planning, organizing, and executing climate-related projects.
• Demonstrated track record of working effectively in international teams that span time zones and communicating ideas clearly and confidently, articulating issues, and recommending solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with fluency in other languages being an advantage.
• Ability to manage and produce quality reports and presentations as required.

Note: This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.