Job Description

Climate Change Specialist Job #: req35115 Organization: World Bank Sector: Environment Grade: GF Term Duration: 2 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): French, Spanish and Arabic is preferred Closing Date: 1/1/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.  For more information, visit

The GEF’s Climate Change Focal Area (CCFA) team develops and finances projects to address climate change mitigation priorities at national and global level, and to support the implementation of national climate change commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The CCFA team oversees the provision of financing for Enabling Activities for developing countries to meet reporting requirements under the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement, including those related to the Enhanced Transparency Framework. The GEF also supports capacity building for climate reporting through the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT). The GEF is seeking an expert and experienced environmental specialist to serve as a Climate Change Specialist in the CCFA team of the GEF Programming Division. 

Duties and Accountabilities

The Climate Change Specialist will work in a multi-disciplinary technical team of climate change specialists and will actively participate in UNFCCC related events, supporting eligible countries in programming GEF resources. S/He will provide timely review and processing of projects proposals submitted by GEF-accredited agencies and provide sound upstream guidance to project proponents to foster coherence with GEF programming strategies. The selected candidate will also contribute to managing the pipeline of UNFCCC Enabling Activities (EA) and CBIT projects. 

The Climate Change Specialist will work within Regional Teams on functions that require cooperation and collaboration related to the programming of CCFA resources. S/he will also support regional and country-level engagement with clients and stakeholders to ensure that GEF recipient countries optimize their CCFA investments to achieve global environmental benefits. 

The Climate Change Specialist will work under the guidance of the Climate Change Focal Area Coordinator and will report to the Manager of the Programming Division.

Specific Duties include the following:

Climate Change Focal Area programming support
• Perform review of GEF programs, projects and enabling activities, including in relation to the estimation of carbon emission reductions
• Participate in the activities of one of more regional teams, providing support on thematic issues related to the CCFA programing, and support Regional Coordinators in the engagement with country focal points and other national/regional constituencies or stakeholders
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of technical guidelines related to CCFA engagements, including in the context of the GEF’s Integrated Programs
• Provide analytical and synthesis support to managing the CCFA portfolio of projects, programs, and enabling activities, notably through data collection and analysis from the GEF Portal and related resources
• Support GEF’s engagement with the UNFCCC multilateral process (COPs and other related bodies) and liaison with the UNFCCC Secretariat and relevant partners. 
• Support the preparation of major reports and GEF Council documents (e.g. GEF report on Relations with Conventions and Other International Institutions, GEF annual report to the UNFCCC COP)
• Proactively participate in knowledge management, results-based management, monitoring, and other operational activities such as providing content for website and CCFA publications
• Support the CCFA team in effective collaboration with other Focal Areas, Integrated Programs, and regional teams, particularly through participation in Extended Constituency Workshops and National Dialogues
• As directed, provide inputs to the CEO and senior management on country and thematic briefings, talking points, speeches, analytical/strategic documents, etc.
• As directed, contribute to the development of CCFA strategies and programs, as well as to GEF-9 and later replenishment processes
• Contribute to the preparation of outreach activities and knowledge products in coordination with the GEF communications team, including online communications and publications.

Support for Enabling Activities and CBIT
• Provide climate change enabling activity, transparency and reporting expertise and advice on EA and CBIT initiatives, in light of CCFA programming directions and project review criteria, and in coordination with relevant Program Managers. 
• Develop and improve EA and CBIT proposal review procedures that align with the Paris Agreement’s evolving enhanced transparency requirements and contribute to improving the efficiency of the operational processes for project clearance, as needed. 
• Perform the review and processing of EA and CBIT proposals, including requests to support National Communications (NCs) and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs). 
• Contribute to the management of the EA and CBIT A project databases, by maintaining up-to-date information on project status, portfolio performance, and resource allocation. 
• Coordinate the collection, tracking and analysis of EA and CBIT indicators for portfolio and results management, as well as to ensure timely response to donor queries, as needed. 
• Contribute to the preparation of the CBIT progress reports to the GEF Council and to the UNFCCC COP report, including data collection, analysis and visualization. 
• Contribute to the preparation of relevant outreach activities and knowledge products in coordination with the GEF’s communications team, including online communications and publications.
• Contribute to effective GEF participation in major meetings related to CBIT and EAs, including through preparation of briefing, presentations, talking points and outreach materials. 
• Assist in organizing and executing CBIT events (including the Global Transparency Forums), as well as participating in CBIT-related outreach and engagement as needed.
• Assist with the communication with GEF Agencies, other relevant or partner initiatives, and country representatives on CBIT and reporting-related matters, including the CBIT Global Support Program (CBIT GSP), and maintain productive dialogue and positive relationships with key stakeholders. 

Selection Criteria

• Master’s Degree in climate change, environmental economics, natural resource management, sustainable development, or other fields related to climate change financing.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in the climate change field, including experience designing, implementing, and monitoring of climate change projects and programs Experience working on GEF projects is a plus.  
• Strong knowledge and project expertise in climate change mitigation, including clean energy, energy efficiency, energy access, low-carbon transportation, industry decarbonization and nature-based climate solutions, including in the forestry and low-carbon agriculture systems.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively engage and develop appropriate and sound relationships with a range of stakeholders, international organizations, development agencies, scientific and technical bodies, private sector entities, developing country counterparts, and NGOs. 
• Experience in developing countries, particularly in the development and execution of climate change projects and/or related environmental sectors.
• Working knowledge of GHG methodologies, transparency and institutional arrangements under the Paris Agreement. 
• Working knowledge related to Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) and Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) systems 
• In depth understanding of the climate finance landscape and experience with UNFCCC negotiations preferred. 
• Excellence in written and spoken English is essential.
• Knowledge of other UN languages, French, Spanish and Arabic is preferred

Competencies
• Understanding of the GEF's policies, procedures, and operational modalities.
• Willingness to frequently travel to global, regional and national GEF related events.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.

Job Tags

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