Program Officer

Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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 www.worldbank.org.

The Climate Change Group

The Climate Change Group (CCG) has as key functions to (i) propose the strategy to mainstream climate change across the WBG; (ii) support the implementation of the Bank’s corporate climate commitments as expressed in the Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2025 (CCAP), IDA20, and the IBRD-IFC Capital Package; (iii) support in operationalizing key recommendations of Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs) into country engagement products and lending and non-lending operations; (iv) develop new research and tools to support mainstreaming low-carbon growth and climate resilient development; (v) manage three Umbrella Trust Fund Programs (i.e., Climate Support Facility-CSF, Program for Market Implementation Facility-PMIF, and Scaling Climate Action by Lowering Emissions-SCALE), in addition to other Climate Funds and (viii) mainstream knowledge, learning and innovation inside and outside the WBG, and lead high-level internal and external engagements.

The Strategy, Knowledge, and Outreach Unit

The Strategy, Knowledge, and Outreach Unit (SCCSK) within the Climate Change Group plays a key role in helping CCG both set and deliver the Bank’s corporate climate mandate. The unit works closely with the CCG Leadership on: (i) developing long-term strategic engagement and CCG management; (ii) undertaking climate corporate reporting, especially around policy commitments, climate targets, results, and impacts under the WBG CCAP 2021-25, the Corporate Scorecard (CSC), IDA20, and the IBRD-IFC Global Capital Increase; (iii) overseeing the design and delivery of a CCG learning hub for Bank staff and management, supporting training and learning products; and (iv) managing the Climate Support Facility (CSF) Umbrella Program. Importantly for this position, SCCSK provides a series of shared services to the other CCG units, including support to global partnerships, advocacy, and outreach.

The Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action

The Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action (the “Coalition”) was established in April 2019 and is based around the six Helsinki Principles, which all countries endorse upon joining the Coalition. The Sustainable Development VP hosts the Secretariat for the Coalition along with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The functions of the Secretariat and the services it delivers to the Coalition at the guidance of the Coalition’s Co-Chairs are outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding, signed by the World Bank Group, the IMF, and the Coalition in 2021.

The Secretariat cooperates closely with the SD Climate Change Group and brings together people and knowledge from other groups within the World Bank in its support for the Coalition’s work.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Coalition is growing fast and is soon expected to reach 100 member countries. At the same time, members’ expectations towards deepening the Coalition’s work are growing, especially in peer exchange, knowledge sharing, capacity building and impactful policy implementation.
The climate macro-fiscal economist needs to have current technical knowledge of climate-related macro-economic fiscal policy levers, relevant to different country circumstances. They must also be a tactful facilitator of political dialogues, hold excellent relationship and networking skills, be a strong organizer, and be able to offer strategic advice to Co-chairs and members. They will play a multifaceted role, that effectively balances technical service provision with coordinating/organizing workstreams and other coalition key activities.

The Program Officer is expected to:

• Support the design and coordinate the implementation of the Coalition’s work program related to climate-related fiscal policy issues, macro-economics, and macro-financial architecture, supporting its members and IPs.
• Support the development of tools to address knowledge and expertise gaps in macroeconomic modelling, forecasting and fiscal planning for the low-carbon transition, especially energy transition, and climate change impacts.
• Foster dynamic global workstreams that share best practices, policy experiences, and offer the latest world-class technical expertise on climate-related macro-economic fiscal policies, with a special emphasis on adaptation and mitigation in the context of a global socially just transition.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of climate-related macro-economic fiscal policies and promote peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing among members, identifying opportunities, and connecting with global experts to incorporate top-tier technical knowledge into workstream practices.
• Engage actively with member leads, members, and institutional partners to better understand the new and upcoming policy ideas and solutions not yet known to members – and integrate these into work program plans and workshops.
• Coordinate the preparation and execution of relevant Coalition workshops, including macroeconomic and fiscal assessments of adaptation, resilience, and mitigation policies, including NDCs, adaptation finance, and other relevant aspects of the Coalition workstreams.
• Lead the production and publication of Coalition’s knowledge products, papers and policy briefs - ensuring the quality of the papers and acceptance of the content by members and including best expertise available from partners.
• Support preparation and provide input into Coalition’s Ministerial Meetings at WB/IMF Annual Meetings and the COPs, and other relevant fora.
• Support the coordination of input into the monthly Deputies Meetings, monthly Newsletter, and regular communication outreach to members.
• Act as a representative of the Secretariat at the request of the Co-Chairs.

Minimum Education/Experience

• Possesses Master’s degree in finance, economics, or similar field relevant to the Coalition’s mission. Prior experience working directly in the finance ministry or with Coalition.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in environmental/climate finance engaging with relevant stakeholders, such as governments, private sector, multilateral development banks, multilateral and bilateral development agencies, and other organizations in sustainable finance space
• Well renowned industry expert in climate related macro-economics, capable of undertaking complex research and provide innovative policy solutions.
• Experience writing papers, briefs and talking points on climate finance topics; having academic publications on the topic of environmental finance or policy is preferred.
• Coordination skills and experience liaising and coordinating with different stakeholders and groups (at the global or national level) and proven capacity to explain complex issues to various audiences.
• Ability to address a range of issues related to climate finance and its relationship to fiscal policy and sustainable development.
• Experience writing papers, briefs and talking points on climate related macro-economics; having multiple academic publications alongside policy reports on the topic of macro-economics and climate change.
• Strong understanding of quantitative analysis, with experience in forecasting macro trends, modelling policy scenarios, and analyzing data to identify climate related macro-economic risks.
• Experience designing, implementing, and facilitating events and trainings on climate finance or related topics with varied stakeholders and audiences.
• Demonstrated political awareness and ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and to otherwise cultivate effective, productive client relationships/partnerships.
• Demonstrates ability to think strategically, see the big picture, and to rapidly analyze diverse information from varied sources.
• Demonstrates ability to manage teams, to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.
• Demonstrates ability and the necessary organizational skills to take initiative, personal ownership, and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, balance competing demands and achieve agreed-upon results.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English

Other Selection Criteria

• Expertise in intergovernmental processes is a main competence.
• Experience working with ministries of finance/economy or other government agencies is a strong plus.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to present complex analyses to non-specialist audiences.
• Ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments and adjust to a variety of complex evolving tasks to meet tight and rolling deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to work in diverse teams, across organizational boundaries, and in multi-cultural environments.