Board Affairs Senior Specialist

Grade: IS-5
Deadline: 30 July 2024 (11:59 PM KST)
Job Category: International
Salary: USD 145,000 (plus attractive benefits, that include the following allowances (as applicable): Relocation, dependency, housing, education assistance and home country travel.

 

Introduction
The Green Climate Fund is the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund and invests in impactful, innovative, catalytic programs and projects in developing countries across the globe. By the end of 2023, GCF had a portfolio of 243 projects in 129 countries, committing a total of USD 13.5 billion to date. 

In 2023, an additional USD 12.8 billion was pledged, to support our new strategic and programming cycle from 2024-2027; our ambition is to grow to become at least a USD 50 billion fund by 2030. Rooted in the core objectives of impact and efficiency, access and a focus on the most vulnerable, and mobilizing a much higher scale of public and private sector financial flows for climate action we have an unparalleled scale of resources, which, together with our risk appetite and flexibility allows us to bring together different partners and stakeholders in innovative partnerships for profound impact. 

GCF is seeking a top-tier individual with a demonstrable track record of harnessing experience, energy and networks to tackle complex global climate change challenges. You will be committed to making a positive, measurable difference through a mission-driven role, and thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment.  

You will be able to quickly scan and analyze complex, competing issues and lead significant sized teams to find solutions in evolving contexts, across multiple geographic locations. 

You will be a nurturer of people: recognizing and growing the talent around you, exemplifying values of transparency, respect and innovation.

You will be committed to learning, knowledge-sharing, convening and communicating with partners to work together to ideate, develop and implement climate action initiatives that make a profound difference to people and planet.

You will join a team of talented, committed individuals representing almost 80 nationalities contributing skills and experience from academic, scientific, private, government and nonprofit backgrounds.

 

Together, we work with governments, communities and civil society, technical agencies, and the private sector across the world.

 

Interested in more information? 
Learn about working for GCF: https://www.greenclimate.fund/about/careers 
View current vacancies: https://jobs.greenclimate.fund/

 

About the Green Climate Fund (GCF)
Set up in 2010 by the 194 countries who are Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), GCF takes its responsibility as the world’s largest dedicated multilateral climate fund to heart.  GCF funds transformative climate projects across the developing world, supporting countries in their responses and actions to tackle climate change while fostering sustainable development within their communities. 

Our country-driven approach ensures that our actions are tailored to the unique circumstances and national aspirations of each nation we support. Besides channeling public and private sector investment through a broad range of financing instruments, GCF builds the capacity of developing countries to take climate action through an extensive Readiness Programme ensuring countries are increasingly well-equipped and financed to manage their climate futures.

Headquartered in the Republic of Korea, GCF operates with a diverse and talented workforce of over 300 people. 
 

Position Objective
The Board Affairs Senior Specialist will advise and support the Director of Governance Affairs and Secretary to the Board, and the Head of Board Affairs in developing, managing and enhancing processes related to Board and Committees’ functioning. This includes leading and reviewing processes and practices related to the engagement with members of the Board, communication between the Board and Secretariat, preparation and monitoring of Board and Committees work plan and meetings, documentation management, logistical coordination among others. Also the Board Affairs Senior Specialist will plan and lead the coordination efforts with GCF units for the delivery of Board mandates, and support senior management in addressing critical issues related to Board matters. Additionally, will mentor junior staff, deliver training programs for Board members and staff, and represent the Office of Governance Affairs in internal and external forums.

 

Purpose 

• Develop strategies and improve processes for organizing and coordinating formal and informal Board and Committee meetings, including agenda preparation, documentation management, and logistical arrangements, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
• Plan, deploy and improve the range of consultations with Board members and key stakeholders to gather inputs, align on key issues, and influence strategic decision-making.
• Innovate approaches to ensure the effective implementation of Board-adopted policies across relevant divisions, improving the monitoring of progress and resolving issues that require senior management intervention.
• Propose new methodologies for the development and continuous updating of the Board's and Committees’ work plans, integrating priorities and objectives.
• Provide substantive inputs to the formulation, review, and enhancement of policies and procedures, ensuring they support the strategic direction of the organization.
• Advise the Director of Governance Affairs with strategic planning, budget management, performance assessments, and administrative tasks, including scheduling, correspondence, and report preparation.
• Plan, manage and improve processes related to the transition and onboarding of new members of the GCF Board, within and across terms of membership.
• Plan technical missions to host countries for Board meetings held outside of Songdo, in collaboration with the Division of Support Services (DSS).
   

Engagement

• Engage with Board and Committee members, and external observers to understand their perspectives, incorporating their inputs into the decision-making process to enhance the effectiveness of governance.
• Engage and coordinate with other GCF units, representing the views and perspectives of the Board Affairs in interdepartmental initiatives.
• Influence the communication dynamics between the Board and Secretariat divisions, ensuring transparency and alignment.
• Guide, facilitate, and engages in cross-divisional initiatives relevant to Board affairs, promoting coherence and collaboration in the execution Board-related tasks.
• Collaborate with Secretariat focal points to maintain an overview of Board committees' and groups' work, providing strategic insights on matters under Board consideration.
• Monitor the implementation of Board decisions in collaboration with relevant divisions, bringing to the Director of Governance Affairs and the Senior Management Team (SMT) matters requiring their attention.
• Mentor and guide junior staff within the Board Affairs team, fostering their professional growth and enhancing team capacity.
• Develop and delivers training and orientation programs for new Board members and staff on Board-related processes and procedures.
• Represent the Board Affairs office in various internal and external meetings, advocating for the office's strategic objectives.
   

Delivery

• Plan and manage cross-divisional efforts towards the effective preparation of formal and informal Board meetings, coordinating Secretariat engagement with the Co-Chairs and Board members.
• Align records and documentation processes for Board and Committee meetings, including attendance, decisions, and action items, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Develop frameworks and processes for facilitating discussions with Board members to address concerns, provide clarifications on meeting topics, and support informed decision-making.
• Propose, review, and lead the preparation and distribution of comprehensive briefing materials to Board members ahead of consultations, ensuring they are well-prepared for discussions.
• Compile and analyze feedback from Board members and stakeholders to inform agenda setting and strategic decision-making processes.
• Document and communicate consultation outcomes to relevant parties, ensuring action and follow-up.
• Contribute to Fund-wide planning efforts, including the development and regular update of the work plan of the Board and Committees and the work program of the Secretariat, in collaboration with the Office of the Executive Director (OED).
• Lead the formulation and review of policies and procedures on governance matters, and guide the development of materials to assist the Board, as required.
• Deliver strategic plans, budget proposals, performance assessments, reviews and analysis, and reports.
• Deliver trainings, orientations and guidance to junior staff, for setting objectives, improving performance, and supporting professional development.
• Undertake additional duties as required by the Head of Board Affairs.

 

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

Education (minimum requirement)

• Master’s degree in international relations, political science, environmental studies, sustainable development, social sciences, legal studies or related fields.

 

Relevant work experience (minimum requirement)

• Minimum 11 years of relevant work experience, including professional background in managing multilateral processes, assisting decision making bodies and organizing policy events, or 2 additional years of experience with Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Prior experience leading communication efforts with with government officials, representatives of regional groups and a range of stakeholders;
• Demonstrated experience in team management and staff professional development.
• Prior experience managing decision-making processes and bodies is a strong advantage. 

 

Skills (i.e. technical skills)

• 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;
• Proactive aptitude oriented to solving problems; 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with a broad range of stakeholders to communicate at various levels and maintain good working relationships;
• Outstanding planning and organizational skills are required. 

 

Language requirements

• English
• Knowledge of an additional UN language is an advantage

 

Competencies

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.
• Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards.
• Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks.
• Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information.Proven application of expertise; 
• Able to act as a team leader when required, with supervision from the team head;
• A team-player with a proactive and can-do attitude; 
• Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures; 
• Familiarity in communication with government officials, representatives of regional groups and a range of stakeholders is an advantage; 
• 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; 
• Outstanding planning and organizational skills are required; 
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; 
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; 
• Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
• Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; and
• Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information.
   

The closing date for application is 30 July 2024. 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 to apply.