Grade: IS - 4

Deadline: 8 March 2021 (11:59 PM KST)

Location: Songdo, Incheon, South Korea

Contract Length: 3 years

Entry Salary: USD 114,600

The mission of the Green Climate Fund is to assist developing countries to respond to climate change while bringing prosperity to their peoples.

Established in 2010, the GCF invests in transformational climate projects in the developing world. The Fund makes an ambitious contribution to global climate action and channels significant financial resources into developing countries to help build low-emission and climate-resilient societies.  It is country-driven and undertakes actions that reflect the circumstances of each country concerned and its national aspirations. The GCF is a key enabler of the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Since its establishment, the GCF has approved 111 projects in 99 countries and has committed USD 5.0 billion in climate finance. In addition, it has built up an extensive program to support developing countries to identify their needs, in particular, those who are most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

The GCF’s diverse workforce is advancing its mission from its headquarters in South Korea. Our talented staff makes unique contributions to the Fund, enriching the institution through their combined expertise and professional commitment.

Position Objective

The ESS Specialist will report directly to the manager of the Environmental and Social Safeguarding team and provide high-quality technical inputs and assessment as it relates to safeguarding with a particular focus on sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) risks during the project and program development. The candidate will also be called upon to provide inputs during project implementation, results monitoring, knowledge management, capacity building and policy advocacy in the area of SEAH and generally on Gender-based Violence (GBV) and gender equality matters. The candidate will work as part of an interdivisional team to ensure that all projects financed by the Fund comply with the Fund’s policies on sexual exploitation abuse and harassment and provide assurance to stakeholders that project partners/sponsors are able to manage this risk properly. The incumbent is expected to display exceptional ability to manage work with minimal supervision and provide timely updates and recommendations to relevant stakeholders. The candidate must also be able to form and share a vision, demonstrate integrity, communicate effectively, make hard decisions and recommendations.

Duties and responsibilities

Purpose

• Implement the Fund’s framework on ESS with a focus on sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment by conducting due diligence on activities financed by the Fund to ensure compliance to policies.
• Lead the implementation, review and further development of the Fund’s policies ESS policy as it relates to SEAH and its integration into our safeguarding framework.

Engagement

• Position as a subject matter expert to promote and provide advice on ESS and  SEAH matters and relevant policies addressing them.
• Build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders and partners to ensure the effective implementation and development of the relevant policies. 
• Utilize and maintain risk assessment template/guidelines to ensure ESS risks are properly identified and that partners can manage them properly.
   

Delivery

• Provide GCF senior management, Board and relevant stakeholders with robust SEAH due diligence and assurances that this risk is effectively managed by our partners on financing activities.
• Seek to enhance project structure to achieve ESS co-benefits.
• Utilize and evolve tools/guidance to support the assessment and monitoring of ESS and SEAH risks on GCF financed activities. 
• Form and manage a pool of resources such as a roster of consultants, firms and associations to ensure the application of industry standards and best practices.
   

Required experience and qualifications*

• Master’s degree in law, gender studies, gender and women’s studies, social science, social development, sociology, international development, human rights or related fields. Or a first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least nine (9) years of relevant international experience in the areas of law, gender equality, protection, gender-based violence, gender policy development and implementation, due diligence, social safeguards, or other equivalent fields is required. 
• The ability to work productively in a fast-paced environment and coping with pressure is highly desirable.
• Experience in working in a multinational setting particularly in international development is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English is essential; knowledge of another United Nations language is an advantage.

*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.