Operations Officer – Climate Transition Specialist

(Senior) Operations Officer – Climate Transition Specialist

Job #:
req25063

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):
French, Spanish

Closing Date:
11/26/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

IFC a member of the World Bank Group is the largestglobal development institution focused on the private sector in emergingmarkets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, andinfluence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. Infiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 billion to private companiesand financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of theprivate sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economiesgrapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information,visit

Climate action is at the core of IFCs business. In fiscalyear 2023, IFC delivered 46% in own-account climate finance and mobilized anadditional $6.8 billion. The World Bank FY21-25 Climate Change Action Planoutlines the institutions collective response to align financial flows withthe goals of the Paris Agreement (referred to as Paris Alignment or PA).Under the Action Plan, IFC has committed to align 85% of new operations withthe goals of the Paris Agreement starting July 1, 2023, and 100% of these startingJuly 1, 2025, and to achieve at least 35% (on average during FY21-25) of its ownaccount investments in climate positive activities.

IFCs Climate Business Department (CBD) works across theorganization and beyond to implement the Climate Change Action Plan and deliveron Paris Alignment. Among other things, CBD is responsible for supportingIFC investment and advisoryteams to identify and account for climateinvestments, track committed climate finance, partner across the institution onIFCs Labeled Bond Program (Green, Blue, Transition), develop analytical tools,lead climate risk management, and develop thought leadership via publicationsand external partnerships. This is all to help scale IFC climate impact andguard against greenwashing.

In order to meet the global objectives enshrined within theParis Agreement significant financing is needed. To help facilitate theseflows, Climate Transition Finance seeks to provide clear guidance and commonexpectations to capital markets participants on the practices, actions anddisclosures to be made available when raising funds in debt markets for climatetransition-related purposes. IFCs work in transition finance aims to (i)leverage existing climate change disclosure frameworks developed by relevantindustry groups, regulatory bodies and the scientific community regardingclimate change mitigation and adaptation, and (ii) articulate their relevanceto use of proceeds or sustainability-linked bonds specifically in emergingmarkets which have differentiated development needs and emissionsaccountability in the global context.

About the Position

To deliver on its priorities, CBD is seeking to hire ahighly motivated Senior/Operations Officer to join the team leading externalstandards setting and capacity building on transition and sustainable financeacross IFC investment teams and external partners. This highly visible role providesin-depth knowledge internallyand externally on transition finance, related taxonomies, sustainable financeproducts and requirements, Paris Alignment methodologies), and new climate-relatedinitiatives. It also provides an opportunity to collaborate with a wide rangeof staff across IFCincluding industry, regional, and corporate departments, aswell as external norms setters ie International Capital Markets Association (ICMA),Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI), Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) andmore to support key strategic climate-related priorities and initiatives. The selectedcandidate will report to the CBD Global Head of Climate Capacity &Inclusion and will work closely with other staff across CBD and the World BankGroup.

This position is a 3 year contract is based in Washington,D.C subject to confirmation.

Duties and Accountabilities

Climate Transition Finance:

Advance Transition Finance for IFC in emerging markets context with input from across IFC Industry departments building on ICMAs Transition Finance Handbook 2023.
Lead the internal cross-IFC Transition Finance Task Force which aims to define transition finance standards, products and business model specifically for IFC operating in emerging markets.
Contract and manage on-going research clarifying the similarities and differences between EU and other nations taxonomies for climate and sustainability activities and the Multilateral Development Banks approach to transition finance in emerging markets.
Support IFC Treasury engagement and related investment strategy.
Promote transition to net-zero through climate transition finance structured products and services.

Sustainable Finance:

IFC Treasury: Support investor facing activities and broader strategy and product development. Support IFC Treasury on strategy, product development, impact reporting, second party opinion/sustainability rating and investor meetings.
Co-host related working groups and networks. Manage key internal Communities of Practice with frequent proactive sharing of relevant information on market developments and anticipating new trends.
Market creation: Support market development through active participation in working groups under the Principles related to Climate Transition Finance, Sustainability-Linked Bonds, Impact Reporting and be available to serve on additional external Task Forces.
Taxonomies and ESG regulation: Proactively monitor and build internal awareness about Sustainable Activities Taxonomies and ESG regulations in markets of IFC operations.

Capacity building:

Support external and internal training programs to grow the sustainable finance market in Emerging Markets.
Deliver core trainings, development of impact reporting training module, and project management of relevant research projects.
Support IFCs Financial Intermediaries Group to deliver on specific sustainability funds and their related capacity building needs for issuers and other partners in the eco-system.

Provide global thought leadership on climate business:

Monitor and assess policy development and engage in private sector-related opportunities that showcase IFC experience and knowledge to identify new climate business opportunities and mobilize private financing (often in collaboration with other parts of IFC/WBG)
Engage IFC Leaders, external investors & partners to advance climate/sustainable finance using public speaking plus creative products in compelling formats.
Nominee Directors Help IFC Nominee directors understand climate opportunities and risks and build Board Climate Competencies

Selection Criteria

Masters degree in Business, Finance, Environmental Finance, Public Policy, International Development, CFA or equivalent.
15+ years work experience ideally in capital markets or similar sustainable finance issuing/standard setting including fluency in bonds, loans, sustainability-linked, diverse taxonomies, impact reporting standards, and shifting market expectations.
Credible expert in climate transition finance, Paris Alignment, and climate risks assessments across companies, sectors and markets.
An extensive network and credentials in sustainable finance across private sector actors and MDBs across regions.
Proven track record to lead sharp analytic work with significant policy and investment implications.
Demonstrated ability to design and deliver impactful training sessions to build capacity across a broad array of stakeholders at senior levels.
Deep experience in effective public speaking with both gravitas and inclination to experiment with edu-tainment approaches to upskill many different audiences.
Natural ability to convene diverse stakeholders, proactively engage across industries, and enthusiasm to co-create innovative climate finance solutions/products/services.
Ability to handle a large workload, balance and prioritize competing demands under high pressure.
Proven ability to operate and think strategically, and work independently, with demonstrated organizational skills.
Strong initiative and record of performance with low supervisory requirements to function effectively as a team member with both formal and informal authority (when reporting is horizontal).
Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills dealing with internal and external clients, staff and managers at all levels.
Commitment to climate the World Bank Groups and IFC's mission, strategy and values.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, another language a plus (esp Spanish, French, etc).

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 theWorld BankandIFC, including our values and inspiring stories.

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