Sustainable Finance & ESG Officer

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The GGGI UAE Country Program (CP) is pleased to open applications for the Sustainable Finance & ESG Officer position. Under the supervision of the UAE Country Representative (CR), this role, based in GGGI’s UAE Office in Dubai within the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, mainly involves developing and implementing ESG and sustainable finance related activities in the UAE. Additionally, this role involves creating new partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the UAE and supporting the development of resource mobilization opportunities.  

The Sustainable Finance & ESG Officer will be responsible for managing a comprehensive range of activities and monitoring functions related to the sustainable finance and ESG efforts in the UAE country office. These responsibilities include leading the development of projects and initiatives, leading the efforts of implementation and delivery on the relevant areas, leading research/analysis-based advisory work, providing technical inputs to the development, delivery and assessment of work programs; organizing activities across green growth planning, capacity building and country-specific knowledge development for effective result delivery under biannual/annual program plans; maintaining effective program reporting and communication internally and externally in line with GGGI corporate policies, standards and protocols.

The Sustainable Finance & ESG Officer will play a critical role in advancing the sustainable finance and ESG efforts within the UAE Program. The primary role of the Officer is maintaining high standard delivery on the relevant technical areas and in line with GGGI standards and values.  

PURPOSE

The Sustainable Finance & ESG Officer will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Ensure efficient sustainable finance and ESG activities implementation, financial management, and compliance with organizational policies.
• Support partnerships development and resource mobilization activities, in the fields of sustainable finance and ESG.
• Engage in strategic planning, risk management, and knowledge sharing across regional and global teams.
• Provide ad hoc support to the government partner as requested.

ENGAGEMENT

• Manage Green Finance Mobilization and Private Engagement related activities
• Provide the UAE CP with evidence based and data-driven inputs and analyses to advance the development and implementation of program’s activities.
• Collaborate with other GGGI country teams, units and divisions on joint opportunities to ensure integrated delivery as “One GGGI”.
• Collaborate closely with the UAE CR to support strategic planning, workplan development, and execution of work streams defined in the workplans.
• Collaborate closely with the UAE CR to grow GGGI UAE’s partnerships portfolio, and develop resource mobilization opportunities.
• Maintain good professional relations and practice utmost flexibility with partner governments and other key stakeholders to respond to their changing needs and expectations.
• Promote green growth and the GGGI methodology with the donor community and other stakeholders;
• Advise GGGI on opportunities for engagement in the national context, demonstrating effective adaptation of the GGGI approach;
• Provide technical advice to the partner government and UAE CP in the areas of Sustainable Finance and ESG.

DELIVERY

• Support the UAE’s ESG planning and implementation efforts
• Carry out analytical work in the following areas:

- ESG frameworks development and implementation
- Sustainable and climate finance
- Green financial instruments including but not limited to blended finance mechanisms, green bonds and Sukuk
- Private sector engagement in the ESG and sustainable finance
- Green growth best practices focusing on the Gulf region
- The link between climate finance and the development of climate change related planning frameworks including but not limited to adaptation planning and NDCs. 

• Provide technical support to partner governments on policy issues on green growth and sustainable development in line with national priorities and international practices.
• Apply institutional strategy (“GGGI’s Strategy 2030”) and country engagement strategy (“Country Planning Framework”) to the design and development of program plans and activities in alignment with GGGI’s core values and corporate priorities
• Lead recruitment, and procurement planning for the relevant activities
• Analyze country context and evolving green growth needs and priorities and integrate them into the design and implementation of country programs and activities
• Carry out results reporting and communication of program activities internally and externally 
• Support business development activities including scoping research, proposal writing, client needs analysis, early intelligence on future demand in the international development market
• Perform data collection, synthesis, and analyses for different projects to help build green growth knowledge base at the country level
• Communicate project results and analyses through different communication tools such as infographics, results reporting templates, insight briefs, policy summary reports, etc.
• Identify project delivery issues and ensure effective coordination of project activities and resources to ensure attainment of objectives against established time frames
• Develop execution modality, including stakeholder consultation meetings and workshops, capacity building programs, etc.
• Capture lessons learned in project management to support refinement/improvement of existing policies and procedures.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, Climate Change/Sustainable Development, Public Administration, Management, International Development or any discipline related to the assignment
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience; experience in the Gulf region is a plus.
• Work experience in an international organization, and/or in an English-speaking work environment will be an important advantage,
• Experience in public policy or project management is an asset; direct experience in green growth/climate policy projects in developing countries will be a strong advantage.
• Knowledge, experience, and understanding of GGGI’s focus areas
• Knowledge of global issues and initiatives in the area of climate finance, climate change, green growth, sustainable development; green jobs are a plus
• Understanding of financing mechanisms for projects and experience in market assessments and cost/benefit analysis, resource mobilization will be a plus.
• Highly proficient in written and spoken English; Arabic will be a plus

FUNCTIONAL

• Strong understanding of ESG, sustainable and climate finance, in addition to climate change mitigation and adaptation, in the context of oil-rich countries, and of sectoral issues and policy and regulatory approaches in the Gulf region.
• Exceptional analytical and quantitative skills; project management and capacity building; stakeholder engagement; communication and outreach; ability to work effectively with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure and to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different backgrounds.
• Take a pro-active approach and work independently with minimum supervision to solve issues at hand and under the jurisdiction of the role.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

CORPORATE

• Demonstrate high level of integrity in handling privileged information and in stewardship of public resources
• Understand and actively support GGGI’s mission, vision, and values.
• Promote the optimum use of public resources.
• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership.
• Process and share information easily.
• Manage emotions and stress positively, build rapport and resolve conflict easily.
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff.
• Lead where needed and provide solutions to project-level challenges.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a National Position at X8 grade level in GGGI’s UAE National salary scale. GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members.