Thailand: Senior Expert Green (Climate & SDG Aligned)

Background

The UNFCC regional collaboration centers (RCC) and the UNFCCC secretariat are both catalyzer and facilitators of climate action in support the implementation on NDCs at the country level. An important component is to substantially scale up finance and investment in contributing to the objectives of the Paris Agreement - to integrate as rapidly as possible, the goals described by Articles 2, 4.1, and 7.1 of the Paris Agreement into the conduct of all relevant economic and social development activity. Further the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are inextricably linked and can only be achieved by ensuring alignment of implementation.

As neutral intermediaries the UNFCCC RCCs have been supporting the carbon financing (i.e. via the CDM) of projects and investment in emerging and frontier markets for several years now. As carbon finance typically provides liquidity to the mature end of the project financing lifecycle, the RCCs have increasingly been asked to intervene on facilitating other sources of finance for both early and late stages of the finance cycle. They have also been called upon to help link up the worlds of development and private finance, to effectively mobilize capital at scale, source blended finance unfamiliar or difficult to access to market players. These actions in themselves often result in new and additional projects that are suitable for carbon finance. The UNFCCC RCCs and UN climate change secretariat does this by providing unbiased facilitative support to both public and private sector finance players.
The rapidly growing landscape of the green (climate and SDG aligned) finance has created a plethora of opportunities, but also confusion as to how to most effective make use of finance. While climate-aligned and environmental financial products are on the rise, they are still relatively new to many market participants. Many entrepreneurs, financial intermediaries and central bankers are not aware of options in accessing climate finance or how best to raise green (climate aligned) debt capital finance or enable with risk sharing instruments, and many investors are not aware of the investment opportunities available in the regions.

Role
In this context, SDM is looking for a senior expert on green (climate & SDG aligned) finance to support, as part of a small team located in Bonn and working through the RCCs (in 5 offices. Under the guidance of the Director and direct supervision of the Programme Officer (relations management – climate finance), the consultant will contribute and further develop the work programme, including financial instruments, risk mitigation instruments, and structured finance approaches as they facilitate climate investments particularly in developing countries and regions.

The expert may be required to attend national, regional and global workshops, networks, conferences on climate aligned investments and financing. Consultant will be based in RCC Bangkok while working closely with SDM programme, Bonn (UNFCCC Secretariat) and other RCCs. The consultant will also be required to work in Bonn on a needs basis.

Functions

Provide specialist advice advise on the work of the UNFCCC RCCs and secretariat facilitating financing of projects, including in the context of the mandates provided by the CDM Executive Board;
Support engagements with development and climate finance institutions, identify and advise on the scaling up of appropriate solutions, building on successful pilots, implementation approaches, and financing mechanisms;
Provide expert advice to countries and regional organizations on how to access finance, make projects financially viable, economically feasible provisions; and more specifically how the public financing instruments may be applied.
Create opportunities to co-finance projects and leverage new and additional funding sources in close coordination with existing climate finance structures and other relevant institutions;
Undertake analytical and diagnostic work and sector reviews and contribute to the preparation of reports and other written material
Conduct effective outreach activities (workshops, conference participation, webinars, etc.) including resource mobilization;
Share knowledge and expertise with other teams in SDM and other programmes of UNFCCC, and provide input and advice to management on important trends and developments regarding climate aligned finance;

Deliverables

1. Develop a project plan supported by brief methodology to successfully deliver the following deliverables.
2. Delivery of a roundtable workshop in south east Asia (ESCAP) – begin 2018
3. Assist on the ESCAP project “Developing Regional Action Agendas for the financial system to increase low-carbon, climate-resilient investments for the SDGs” – mid 2017 (up to 2020, as required)
4. Assist on the ESCAP project “Innovative Climate Finance Mechanisms for Financial Institutions in the Asia-Pacific Region” – mid 2017 (up to 2020, as required)
5. Delivery of a side event at MCED in Asia and COP23 – mid end 2017
6. Assist in design and delivery of a roundtable workshop in Zimbabwe (IDBZ) – end 2017 / begin 2018
7. Assist in design and delivery of a roundtable workshop in East Africa (EABD) – end 2017 / begin 2018
8. Assist in design of a concept for finance engagement in LAC and MENA regions – mid to end 2017
9. Assist in design and facilitation of 2 deals or catalyzed 2 finance facilities with RDBs – end 2018
10. Assist in design and delivery of a RCC strategy on climate aligned finance with partnerships, including a resource mobilization plan with 3-4 targeted project funding proposals for climate aligned finance related activities – end 2017

Competencies

Professionalism: Excellent knowledge of finance, investment, policy and market trends across a range of climate technologies and the broader enabling framework for deployment; sound understanding of climate policy processes at the national and international level; sound understanding of resource mobilization strategy; general understanding of macroeconomic issues. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Communication: Excellent drafting skills in English is an essential requirement for this position. Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; adjusts language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Accountability: Takes ownership for all responsibilities and commitments; delivers outputs within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; provides oversight and takes ownership of delegated responsibilities and authorities; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Planning and Organizing: Develops goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; monitors and adjusts plans as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Qualifications

Education: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in finance, business administration, management, economics or a related field. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience: A minimum of seven of progressively responsible experience in project or corporate finance, fund management, and/or implementation and management of energy or environment related project/programmes at the international level. Experience in the assessment of financial mechanisms and resource mobilization. Good knowledge of issues surrounding climate and green finance issues, challenges and practices relating to developing countries. Understanding of critical issues in sustainable development, international climate change policy, and climate finance. Knowledge and experience on climate finance, and on multilateral climate governance framework and global climate finance architecture. Experience in the provision of climate finance resources for lending and non-lending operations. Experience in the area of climate change adaptation and mitigation, with a particular emphasis on scaling up climate finance for NDCs. Knowledge and experience of funds raising / resource mobilization strategy.
Knowledge and experience in policy dialogue and cross-institutional collaboration at the highest level, including with representatives of government and non-government partners.
Analytical and scientific/technical interpretation capacity of key climate and green finance challenges and opportunities;
Skills: Good general command of information technology, including Excel, and Internet literacy is required. Skills in financial modelling would be an asset.
Languages: Excellent command of both written and spoken English is essential. Fluency in other languages would be of additional benefit.

Candidates, whose qualifications and experience match what we are looking for, please send your resume and cover letter to Ms. Ariel Yu (yu@iges.or.jp) and copy regionalcentere-HR@iges.or.jp. Please indicate “Senior expert green (climate & SDG aligned) finance” in your email subject.